Celebrating Arbor Day with Trees, Trivia, and Community Spirit

Emily
Apr 26
3 min read

It’s the perfect time to stop and smell the flowers — or better yet, admire the trees! Here on our little island, we don’t just celebrate Arbor Day; we go all out. From fun events like Treevia night to hands-on community initiatives, Saba is proving that protecting nature is a team effort.

Treevia Night: A Root Awakening

This year’s Arbor Day celebration was made even more special by the Treevia night, held on March 21 at Colibri Café. It was an exciting evening that combined our love for nature with a little friendly competition. Nature lovers, tree enthusiasts, and trivia buffs all gathered to test their knowledge of Saba’s native trees in honor of the International Day of Forests. The event marked the grand finale of a 12-week campaign organized by Public Entity Saba and the Sea & Learn Foundation, aimed at raising awareness for our island’s reforestation efforts.

The Treevia campaign, which launched in January, introduced one native tree each week, spotlighting its ecological importance, cultural significance, and unique characteristics. Whether it was the best spots to find these trees on Saba or how they’ve been used by Sabans for generations, the campaign made sure we all learned something new — and maybe even gained a new favorite tree!

To match the tree-filled theme, Colibri Café wowed us with a tree-inspired menu, featuring locally sourced ingredients like breadfruit, passion fruit, coconut, and mango. It was the perfect pairing of food and fun!

Saba’s Roots Run Deep

While Treevia night was a blast, it was just one part of Saba’s bigger mission to protect and reforest our island. The reforestation campaign has been in full swing, with over 300 grafted fruit trees distributed to the community to promote backyard farming. This initiative helps ensure that we’re not only preserving the island’s biodiversity but also providing a sustainable source of food for future generations.

That’s why the the community came together for an outplanting event at Thais Hill. These initiatives are powered by a shared commitment to preserving our environment for everyone who calls Saba home.

Jianna Petronilia receiving her award from PES Reforestation manager, Justin Simmons-de Jong

It’s not just about planting trees — it’s about planting knowledge and responsibility. Saba Comprehensive School students had the opportunity to take part in an inspiring essay contest organized by the Sea & Learn Foundation in collaboration with Public Entity Saba. The contest invited students to explore the role of reforestation in preserving our island’s natural beauty, with a focus on environmental challenges like soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and climate resilience. It was a chance for students to voice their thoughts on how reforestation can benefit not only our environment but also our economy, tourism, and community well-being.

The essays were filled with thoughtful insights, personal experiences, and innovative ideas for a greener future. Based on clarity, content, creativity, and writing style, the top three winners were selected. First place went to Jianna Petronilia, whose essay, "Reviving Saba’s Forests with Reforestation," stood out for its depth and vision for the island's future.

Growing Together

Arbor Day is a great time to reflect on how important trees are to our lives, but in Saba, it’s more than just a day — it’s a year-round celebration! From the trivia champs at Treevia night to the budding eco-warriors in our community, we’re all playing a part in preserving Saba’s natural beauty for future generations. It’s a rooted effort, and we’re all in it together. So, this Arbor Day, let’s not just admire the trees — let’s keep planting, learning, and growing.