{"id":13256,"date":"2025-03-21T15:46:27","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T15:46:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/?page_id=13256"},"modified":"2025-03-21T15:47:57","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T15:47:57","slug":"international-day-of-forests-2025-by-shenequa-williams","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/index.php\/international-day-of-forests-2025-by-shenequa-williams\/","title":{"rendered":"International Day of Forests 2025 by Shenequa Williams"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-6\/485820097_1078092471004432_6010602184039208013_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&amp;ccb=1-7&amp;_nc_sid=127cfc&amp;_nc_ohc=B4LnOoa1cH8Q7kNvgFLCbAR&amp;_nc_zt=23&amp;_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&amp;_nc_gid=_YboDidMrqKk9t0wIuJmnw&amp;oh=00_AYHYER4IprYtqxJEPIbakFG1hXCQxRAOInG_17qrTtkMUQ&amp;oe=67E37107\" alt=\"May be an image of text that says '\u12e8\u12e8\u12e8! International Day of Forests FORESTS AND FOODS'\" width=\"627\" height=\"268\" \/><\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\"><\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">Every year on March 21, the world unites to celebrate the International Day of Forests. This year, under the inspiring theme &#8220;Forests and Food&#8221;, highlights the invaluable role forests play in sustaining life on Earth. The theme is a flavourful reminder of how forests contribute to food security, nutrition, and sustainable livelihoods, as well as providing habitats not just globally, but right here in Antigua and Barbuda.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">With 29% of Antigua and Barbuda\u2019s land cloaked in forest about 12,400 hectares, the islands are a vibrant tapestry of green. Our forests, nestled within the Leeward Islands moist forests ecoregion, are home to a rich diversity of plants and animals. From colourful birds to vital pollinators, these forests do more than just look pretty, they are ecological powerhouses that support agriculture and local food systems.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">One of the best ways to connect with Antigua\u2019s natural beauty is through Fig Tree Drive, a meandering, magical road through the island\u2019s rainforest. This drive is not just a journey through towering mango and banana trees, but a sensory experience filled with the sounds of birds, and the scent of fresh greenery. For a more adventurous twist, the Antigua Rainforest Zipline Tours offer a thrilling way to soar above the treetops gaining a fresh perspective on the incredible biodiversity below.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">Beyond adventure, Antigua\u2019s forests play a crucial role in our nation\u2019s food resources. Many of the fruits and vegetables that grace our local markets like guavas, soursops, and mangoes are products of forest-friendly agriculture. These ecosystems nurture fertile soils and sustain biodiversity, which are essential for crop growth and pollination. In a world where food security is a growing concern, our forests are a green insurance policy, ensuring that future generations enjoy fresh, local produce.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">This International Day of Forests, let\u2019s celebrate by exploring, appreciating, and protecting our natural spaces. Whether hiking under a leafy canopy, enjoying the thrill of a zipline, or simply savouring a tropical fruit salad, there\u2019s no better way to honour our forests. After all, in Antigua and Barbuda, every forest is not just a sanctuary for wildlife but also a feast for the senses where nature meets nourishment in the most delightful way!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\"><\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\"><\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-6\/485951399_1078092437671102_4834313681351654793_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&amp;ccb=1-7&amp;_nc_sid=127cfc&amp;_nc_ohc=i8WcGCGtaTkQ7kNvgHazAre&amp;_nc_zt=23&amp;_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&amp;_nc_gid=YgxHl-VdretZJNQ_stf2Kw&amp;oh=00_AYFQ2T73Hnw7wipaLdEUN9DsoVMzEy-J_eT2ZU6aEgiXhQ&amp;oe=67E37463\" alt=\"May be an image of road\" width=\"361\" height=\"289\" \/>\u00a0 \u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/scontent-mia3-3.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-6\/485755935_1078092467671099_3916335383076001003_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&amp;ccb=1-7&amp;_nc_sid=127cfc&amp;_nc_ohc=9H4U_auDIcYQ7kNvgGsz2cD&amp;_nc_zt=23&amp;_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-3.xx&amp;_nc_gid=JwhlFhmx9l7mcPjHLat1nQ&amp;oh=00_AYGIeJQXlecEpyPKNoQVdJlFs4V1qbDW7xjS-TIxWJIIqQ&amp;oe=67E3569A\" alt=\"May be an image of nature and road\" width=\"384\" height=\"288\" \/><\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every year on March 21, the world unites to celebrate the International Day of Forests. This year, under the inspiring theme &#8220;Forests and Food&#8221;, highlights the invaluable role forests play [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-13256","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13256","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13256"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13256\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13258,"href":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13256\/revisions\/13258"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13256"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}