PNGFRI Donates 100 Tree Seedlings to DWU
Divine Word University, Madang Campus today received 100 tree seedlings from the Papua New Guinea Forest Research Institute (PNGFRI) in support of the University's upcoming 30th Anniversary celebrations.
The seedlings were officially presented by PNGFRI Director, Professor Philip Siaguru, to DWU President, Professor Fr. Philip Gibbs. Accompanying Professor Siaguru were Manager-Planted Forest, Mr. Anton Lata, along with Mr. Haydrian Morte and Mr. Philip Banban, who support PNGFRI's forest development and nursery operations.
In receiving the seedlings, Fr. Philip Gibbs expressed his sincere appreciation to the PNGFRI team for taking time out of their busy schedules to personally deliver the trees to the University.
"This is a wonderful contribution to our 30th Anniversary celebrations and will fit perfectly into our anniversary program. We greatly appreciate the effort and commitment of the PNGFRI team under the leadership of Professor Siaguru," Fr. Gibbs said.
Professor Siaguru thanked DWU for extending the invitation and request, noting that PNGFRI remains committed to the State's benchmark of planting 800,000 hectares of forest across Papua New Guinea.
"Our motto is 'Painim graun, planim diwai.' When we received the invitation from Divine Word University, we said that if DWU is providing the land, then let's go. We are always looking for opportunities to plant more trees and contribute towards this national goal," Professor Siaguru said.
In response to DWU's request, PNGFRI donated a mix of Pinus caribaea, Walnut, and Tristaniopsis seedlings, a total of 100 seedlings representing both tropical forest and hardwood species,
"We are very happy to contribute to DWU's 30th Anniversary. We hope these trees will help beautify the campus and create a lasting legacy for future generations. We also hope to return one day and see these trees growing and thriving," he added.
The presentation highlights the shared commitment of DWU and PNGFRI towards environmental stewardship, sustainability, and creating a greener future for Papua New Guinea.
