BUEI’s ‘Trees4Scores’ To Launch At Cup Match
BUEI is set to launch ‘Trees4Scores’ at Cup Match, linking cricket and football scores to planting trees across Bermuda.
A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute [BUEI] is celebrating this year’s 5th annual Youth Climate Summit [YCS] by partnering with the Bermuda Cricket Board [BCB] and Bermuda Football Association [BFA] for Trees4Scores, a highly impactful environmental and community service programme that will launch during this year’s Annual Cup Match Classic.
“The Bermuda National Trust is also involved in the partnership, which aims to restore and preserve Bermuda’s unique biodiversity and promote climate action by planting 130 native and endemic ecosystems across the island this November.
“The 130 ecosystems are comprised of 390 trees, plants and ground covers, which are being provided thanks to the generous support of RootsImperative, a Loren Hotel non-profit initiative, Conduit Re and Catalina Re. Planting locations will be coordinated at three sites on Saturday 22nd November: Spittal Pond in Smith’s; Sherwin Nature Reserve at Warwick Pond; and High Point Nature Reserve in Southampton. Additional sponsors are welcome and volunteers are encouraged to participate in the planting activities.
“YCS promotes youth leadership and empowers Bermuda’s youth to find their voice to advocate for their future. Trees4Scores is a prime example of local youth leadership in action with ties to a global movement – Trees4Goals, a climate action initiative started by Lesein Mutunkei, a young activist from Kenya. At the age of twelve, Lesein combined his love for football with caring for the environment and began planting one tree for every goal he scored. What began as a single act of environmental stewardship has created a global movement.
“Bermuda has taken up the charge and, thanks to BUEI’s collaboration with the BCB, BFA, SGCC and SCC, we are swinging into action and kicking off the Trees4Scores programme over both days of play during Cup Match. Every 50 runs scored or every 10 wickets will equal one complete ecosystem of native and endemic trees, plants and ground covers, to be planted during the YCS Community Action Day in partnership with BNT on 22nd November.
“Cricket runs and wickets will continue to be counted throughout August and September to earn ecosystems across BCB league play and County Games, then the ball will be passed to the BFA. For football, every 2 goals scored at local games, to be played across all levels in September and October, will count towards one complete ecosystem. In total for this November, the programme aims to plant a minimum of 130 ecosystems at the three sites identified.”
Mishael Paynter, President of St. George’s Cricket Club [SGCC], said, “Our Club community is developing a greater awareness for sustainability and understanding how sport impacts the environment. Trees4Scores is a fantastic way to combine our love for cricket and football, whilst instilling the importance of caring for our natural environment, both today and in the long-run. We are happy to have our Cup Match runs and wickets contribute to planting ecosystems across the island this fall, and we encourage our coaches, players and fans to dig into planting with us in November.”
His counterpart, Richard Scott, President of Somerset Cricket Club [SCC], added, “Stakeholders and supporters of SCC, like many individuals and businesses in Bermuda and around the world, are more in tune with the environment. In general, society is becoming more aware of all the reasons why we need to appreciate and take better care of our natural resources because it impacts the future. SCC began its sustainability journey a couple of years ago with our Cup Match campaign and it continues to be a work in progress. Like SGCC, we look forward to having our Cup Match scores count towards the number of native and endemic trees, plants and ground coverings that will be planted as part of the ecosystems restoration taking place in the Nature Reserves on 22nd November.”
Bermuda Cricket Board Executive Director, Calvin Blankendal, stated, “Partnering with BUEI for this year’s YCS community service project was an easy ‘yes’ for the BCB. As one of Bermuda’s national sporting bodies, we are aligned with international best practice, which not only promotes excellence for the sport’s standards but also prioritises environmental stewardship. The International Cricket Council [ICC] is actively working on sustainability initiatives to address the environmental impact of cricket, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions and promoting eco-friendly practices. BCB is committed to reducing cricket’s footprint on our environment and to giving back through community service, which Trees4Scores combines both. Over the coming months, we will encourage all clubs and league players to join us on the path to sustainability and demonstrate that our cricket community is committed to environmental stewardship.”
Mark Wade, President of the Bermuda Football Association, continued by saying, “The BFA joined ‘Team Green’ earlier this year with the installation of our solar energy system. This transformative gift from Aeolus Capital Management helped us to align with FIFA’s commitment to climate action. The BFA is happy to continue its commitment to ‘Team Green’ through the counting goals for ecosystems initiative. Participating in the Trees4Scores programme with the Youth Climate Summit and planting complete ecosystems to promote the habitat restoration and balance of Bermuda’s delicate environment is one example of the BFA taking climate action. We encourage everyone to get involved in making a difference.”
The spokesperson said, “Additional details on the Trees4Scores programme will be provided to all clubs who have registered teams with the BCB and BFA, and public updates will be provided as the programme progresses. To learn more about the Youth Climate Summit, visit www.ycsbda.com or follow @ycsbda on social media.”
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