(MENAFNEditorial) HE Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), has highlighted the need for the reinforcement of culture on environmental protection, stressing that this culture should begin with children at an early age, in order to familiarize them, and encourage them to adopt this culture for the rest of their lives. HE Al Suw aidi added that EPAA has worked, since its establishment by a decree of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to protect the environment and natural reserves, as well as to conserve endangered wildlife in special protected areas, in accordance with the highest world standards. His Highness is especially keen to support EPAA's work and put forth all the resources needed. On the occasion of the World Environment Day, HE Al-Suwaidi pointed out the EPAA has been able, within a short period, to achieve many important milestones, many of them were first of its kind in the UAE and the region, helping to protect the environment and to over-all spread environmental awareness across the community. HE Hana Al Suwaidi added that EPAA's achievements in 2016 are a testament to its dedication to the environment through numerous initiatives and programmes, which continue to preserve the environment, given that the environment represents vitality for living creatures, in addition to conserving biodiversity and the components of natural environment. amongst EPAA's remarkable achievements are: the opening of Wasit Wetland Centre, the 13th Workshop on the Conservation of Biodiversity, the initiative of Sustainable Tree for Schools, The Earth Hour Ceremony, the Opening of Al Hefaiyah Mountain Wildlife Conservation Centre, in addition to the Sharjah Sustainability Award in its fourth edition, the 17th Sir Bu Nair Environment Festival, and many other celebrations on international environmental events.