The U.S. government will spend US$159 million over the next two years in reforestation and environmental protection. The decision was announced by U.S. Ambassador Charles Manatt after he returned from a tour of the southwest where he observed the effects of deforestation in dry river beds and bald mountains. Some 9.4 million perennials will be planted, including cacao and coffee trees, fruit trees and deciduous trees. The program will be launched this month as a part of the 30th anniversary celebration of Earth Day. As part of the Earth Day observations, Manatt will host the "Caribbean Maritime and Environmental Conference," being sponsored by the U.S. Southern Command, to be held this Friday in the Hotel Metro in Juan Dolio, which will be attended by 40 specialists from 14 Caribbean nations. A second event will see the Ambassador and his wife, together with embassy staff and Dominican officials, planting trees in the embassy gardens. In the picturesque seaside hamlet of Bayahibe, Peace Corps volunteers and local residents will plant trees and stage a community clean-up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The U.S. government will spend US$159 million over the next two years in reforestation and environmental protection. The decision was announced by U.S. Ambassador Charles Manatt after he returned from a tour of the southwest where he observed the effects of deforestation in dry river beds and bald mountains. Some 9.4 million perennials will be … <\/p>\n