Cricket and football join forces in BUEI’s Trees4Scores drive
BUEI press release:
This year’s 5th annual Youth Climate Summit (YCS), hosted by the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI), includes “Trees4Scores”, a ground-breaking environmental service programme focused on restoring and preserving Bermuda’s unique biodiversity whilst promoting climate action and resilience for our precious island home. In partnership with the Bermuda National Trust (BNT), Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) and Bermuda Football Association (BFA), Trees4Scoreslaunched during this year’s Annual Cup Match Classic and phase one of the programme will continue over the coming months.
Phase one of this transformative programme aims to install 130 ecosystems that are native and endemic to
Bermuda – all in one day. Comprising of 390 trees, plants and ground coverings, the calculations to achieve these
130 complete ecosystems are being tallied through local cricket and football matches. Just like native and endemic
species thread through the unique environmental landscape of Bermuda, cricket and football are woven into the
fibre of our culture. Trees4Scores provides the ultimate framework to bring the two together – sustainable
sporting initiatives that produce significant environmental impacts.
Throughout August, BCB has been counting one ecosystem for every fifty runs or ten wickets scored. So far,
matches played from Cup Match through all County Games, and regular league games in between, have resulted
in more than half of the ecosystems being scored for the first environmental planting project on Saturday 22
November.
BCB will officially pass the ball to the BFA at the Charity Cup, the official start of this year’s football season. The
game starts at 8pm this Sunday, 31 August, at the North Village Community Club field at Bernard’s Park. During
the months of September and October, BFA Premier and First Division teams will accumulate one ecosystem for
every two goals scored. The combined total of ecosystems scored will be planted across three locations for the
first part of the programme.
Bermuda Cricket Board Executive Director, Calvin Blankendal, said “The Bermuda Cricket Board is committed to
enhancing Bermuda’s ecosystems through the support of our member clubs and external stakeholders. As a
collective, our main objective is to ensure that the game of cricket has a positive impact on Bermuda’s
environment. Participating in Trees4Scores, through our partnership with BUEI, reinforces this commitment.
The game of cricket, which is based on scoring runs and taking wickets, affords all players the opportunity to join
the Trees4scores programme. Collectively, we share our enthusiasm for environmental action whilst raising
awareness for climate resilience through a sport we all love.
The two national sports of Bermuda, cricket and football, have partnered and the BCB will hand the new ball over
to the Bermuda Football Association, as the domestic cricket season comes to a closure. We are certain they will
swing into action and reach their targets to enhance and sustain our luscious and green ecosystems across our
island.
We will let the scores tell the story at the end of October as to which national sporting body accumulates the
greater number of ecosystems for this inaugural planting event In November. One thing is certain, this is one
match, challenge and initiative where there will be no losers, just winners!”
Mark Wade, President of the Bermuda Football Association, added “The BFA gladly takes up the friendly
challenge issued by our BCB counterparts as we aim to surpass our goals for phase one of this programme. Like
cricket, the local and international football communities are prioritising sustainability and increasing awareness
around the vital importance of caring for the environment. The BFA is delighted to be collaborating with BUEI and
the partners involved in this initiative that will transform the protected landscapes of today and provide greater
long-term benefits for future generations.”
BUEI extends our sincere appreciation and thanks to all Trees4Scores partners, including Roots Imperative, a Loren Hotel non-profit initiative, Conduit Re and Catalina Re. The three locations for planting on Saturday 22nd November are: Spittal Pond in Smith’s; Sherwin Nature Reservice at Warwick Pond; and High Point Nature Reserve in Southampton. Additional sponsors are welcome and volunteers are encouraged to dig in and make a difference.
BCB and BFA will be distributing additional details on the Trees4Scores programme to all clubs who have
registered for this current season. Public announcements and updates will continue being provided as the
programme evolves. Visit www.ycsbda.com or follow @ycsbda on social media for more information.
