Three schools in Dubai marked 'Environmental Month' in April by planting trees in the greenbelt area of Green Community as part of an environment campaign in the city.

The Market, a unique and convenient shopping centre, located at Green Community on Emirates Road recently helped organise a tree planting activity in association with Dubai Investment Park (DIP), Courtyard by Marriott and three schools located in DIP; The Children’s Garden, Nibras International School and Greenfield Community School.

The event, which attracted 97 students, was attended by Hussein Lootah, acting director, Dubai Municipality, Khaled Kalban, managing director & chief executive officer of DIP, Omar Al Mesmar, general manager, DIP, Carol Grebe, retail manager, The Market and Wael Farouk, director of engineering, Courtyard by Marriott.

“Tree planting makes a positive difference to our environment, and provides an opportunity for schools, community groups and local residents to come together for a good environmental cause,” said Grebe.

“By involving school children in tree planting activities, it shows them how easy and fun it is to help our environment. Another advantage is that the benefits of getting involved with environmental activities such as these extend well beyond the personal satisfaction of knowing that you're supporting a good cause, it gives people the opportunity to help the community, offsetting carbon emissions, beautifying natural spaces, and having a great time,” he opined.

The students received encouragement from the principals of their respective schools Birgit Ertl from The Children’s Garden, Gustav Gropp from Nibras International School and Lesley Stagg from Greenfield Community School.

“The activity was a success due to the collaboration of all parties involved. We are grateful to DIP for donating the trees, The Market’s facilities team who assisted the students in planting the trees, Choithram and Courtyard by Marriott for providing us with refreshments for everyone,” added Grebe.

The Environmental month was concluded with an ‘Environment Art Competition’ held at Courtyard by Marriott. The competition registered 33 Students from The Children’s Garden, Greenfield Community School & Nibras International School.

Deborah Zand from Greenfield Community School won the first prize and was awarded two nights stay at Courtyard by Marriott and a Dh200 voucher from The Market. 

The second prize winner was Ines Thepart from The Children’s Garden who was awarded a dinner voucher for eight at JW Marriott Hotel and Dh150 voucher from The Market; while third prize went to Che Rin Kim from Nibras School who was awarded a Dh200 voucher from Bookstore, dinner for three at MEA and Dh100 voucher from The Market.

All participants were given vouchers worth Dh50 from The Market. Courtyard by Marriott awarded Bookstore vouchers worth Dh300 for the Nibras International School Innovative Invention and vouchers worth Dh400 from Bookstore for The Children’s Garden Innovative Invention.

The Ritz Carlton Hotel also presented innovators with Dh300 and Dh400 vouchers and the Renaissance Dubai Hotel presented the school Art teachers with dinner vouchers.-TradeArabia News Service