Sir Richard Branson, the internationally known businessman and philanthropist toured the Mangrove Boardwalk, a project of the Rotary Club of Tortola.
The brief tour on October 13, 2009 conducted by P Leroy and PP Ron, provided Sir Richard who donated $5,000 towards the project; with a history and overview.
A study in 1999 concluded that 85% of the mangroves on Tortola were lost or seriously degraded. The Mangrove Wetland Interpretative Centre, better known as the "Mangrove Boardwalk" seeks to reverse this trend by educating the general public about the importance of mangrove wetlands. By exposing the public to the mangrove habitats (via the boardwalk) and providing educational information in an entertaining way (through the Interpretive Centre), people will become knowledgeable about the importance of wetlands and recognize the need to protect and preserve the remaining mangroves in the BVI.
The Mangrove Boardwalk located at the HLSSCC Marine Center, was the Club's Centennial project which aimed to build a community recreation area, that incorporated the natural beauty of the BVI, sustained an eco system, protected the environment and provided a place for children and adults to relax, play and hold community events.
