The official closing ceremony for the Tree Planting

challenge issued by the Governor General of Saint

Lucia, Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy to the

Saint Lucia National Trust (SLNT) was held on

March 25, 2013 a few days after the March 21st

observance of World Forest Day.

The Trust, in collaboration with the Forestry

Department, RISE St. Lucia, the Rotary Club of

Saint Lucia and various public and private entities,

schools, churches, Non-Governmental

Organizations and Community Based Organizations

planted a total of 4240 trees between November 11,

2011 and March 25, 2013 across the island and in

areas in dire need of restoration. Although, we fell

short of the 5000 target due to financial and weather

constraints, we are happy to report that the

representatives from St. Lucia Electricity Services

Limited and the Bank of Saint Lucia Ltd. who

attended the ceremony at the Saint Lucia National

Mental Wellness Centre, pledged to purchase and

plant the remaining trees needed to meet the target.

The SLNT thanks all partners and participants for

assisting and/or organizing various tree planting

activities which in turn contributed to this

worthwhile project. The commitment from members

and friends of the Trust shows that much more can

be achieved when we pool our resources together for

the greater good.

Meanwhile, on World Forest Day, Lance Peterson,

the Field Monitor and the Caretaker at the SLNT

Southern Office delivered a presentation to the

students at the Piaye Secondary School. His

presentation explored various topics such as the

importance of trees; how trees support life; the

influence of trees on the climate; the influence of

trees on soil; how global trends are influencing the

future of deforestation; what we can do to sustain

our forests and the SLNT and their role in forest

conservation.

Here are some photographs from the event, enjoy:

Karetta Crooks Charles

SLNT Communications & Advocacy Officer

TRUST NEWS

JANUARY- MARCH 2013

Volume 2 Issue 1

Planting Trees, Sustaining Life

Top: Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy and Mr. Bishnu Tulsie

Bottom: Dana Murray (left), Rivaldo Joseph and Ashley Montoute (right)

Special invitees at the closing ceremony

Each year on March 22, the United Nations and its

members join forces to express the importance of water in our lives, and to echo the need to take steps to protect

and conserve water, amid critical issues affecting the

supply at this time.

But we do not have to wait for that one day, one week, or

one month to remember to make our contribution to water conservation, so that we and those to follow in our

footsteps can enjoy the benefits of a clean and adequate

supply of water.

Here are some easy steps we can take in the home, school or office to stop wasting and start saving our water:

Fix all leaks and dripping faucets in the home

and report them to employer or school principal.

Don’t forget to check outdoor faucets too!

Don’t use running water to thaw food. Defrost

food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and

food safety.

Don’t let water run while shaving or brushing

your teeth.

In the shower, turn water on to get wet; turn it off

to soap up; then turn it back on to rinse off.

Run washing machine and dishwasher only when

they are full, or match the water level to the size

of the load.

Don’t pour water down the drain when it can be

put to another use, like watering plants and

cleaning.

Use a bucket instead of a hose to wash your car.

Don’t hose down your driveway or sidewalk.

Use a broom to clean leaves and other debris

from these areas.

Water lawns during the early morning or evening

when temperatures and wind speed are the

lowest. This reduces losses from evaporation.

Monitor your water bill for unusually high use.

Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.

Let friends and neighbours know of the need to

conserve water, and teach them how to do it!

Follow all water conservation and water shortage

rules and restrictions, which may be in effect in

your area. Encourage your school or employer to promote

water conservation and to promote it among

students and staff. Try to do one thing each day that will result in a

savings of water. Don't worry if it is minimal.

Remember every drop counts, and every person can make a difference.

What will YOU do to play your part in protecting this

precious resource? Share your tips with friends and family.

SLNT Member

NEW EMPLOYEES

Mr. Andrew Lewis

Messenger/Driver

RESIGNATIONS

Water Conservation: What you can do!

In this issue:

1. Planting Trees, Sustaining Life

2. Water Conservation: What you can do?

3. Freedom of Information Laws in the

Region

4. Membership Meeting and BBQ

5. Monitoring our Offshore Islands

6. Taste the World Delivers Again!!!!

7. Launch of Project Helen Collection

8. Reclaiming our Wetlands

Saint Lucia joins 10 other Caribbean Countries

to discuss Freedom of Information Laws in the

Region

For the first time, Caribbean governments and civil

society have come together to discuss access to

information, public participation in governance, and

access to justice at a landmark conference held in

Kingston, Jamaica. Representatives from 11

Caribbean countries attended the “Regional

Conference on Freedom of Information in the

Caribbean: Improving Management for the

Environment.”

At the close of the two-day conference on March 21,

2013, governments, civil society, and media

announced the decision to launch a Caribbean

network on freedom of information (FOI) to support

processes to improve standards for access to

information in the region.

Dr. Carolyn Gomes, chairperson of the Access to

Information Advisory Stakeholders’ Committee and

Executive Director of Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ)

said, “freedom of information is the most powerful

tool for ordinary citizens to arm themselves with the

information they need to change their lives.

Launching this freedom of information network will

build opportunities for collaboration, learning and

capacity building among information

commissioners, civil society and media across the

region.”

Countries reviewed the status and effectiveness of

freedom of information laws, the number of requests

for information being made in each country, and

institutional structures for implementation and

enforcement. Jamaica is one of seven Caribbean

countries (Belize, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and

Barbuda, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Vincent

and the Grenadines, and the Cayman Islands) to

have freedom of information laws in force. Five

countries have draft laws pending, and Bahamas and

Guyana have passed laws but they are not yet in

force. Gaps in implementation were noted in Belize,

Antigua, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which

have laws that have not yet fully been utilized by the

public.

“Freedom of information laws ensure that citizens

can access official documents from their

governments and gives them a voice in decisions

that directly impact them and the environment,” said

Danielle Andrade, Legal Director of the Jamaica

Environment Trust. “Using Jamaica’s Access to

Information Act, we were able to obtain documents

to build our legal case to compel the government to

fix a non-functioning sewage treatment plant in

Harbour View, Kingston.”

The event was a follow-up to the Rio+20 sustainable

development conference in May of 2012, where ten

countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)

Freedom of Information Laws in the Region

signed a declaration to work towards a legally

binding, regional instrument to promote the

implementation of the rights of access to

information, public participation, and access to

justice in environmental matters.

Jamaica was the first Caribbean country to sign the

Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) Declaration on

Principle 10, and Trinidad and Tobago joined in 2013.

“The LAC Principle 10 regional declaration is a game

changing opportunity for the region,” said Carole Excell,

Senior Associate at the World Resources Institute. “Caribbean governments need to embrace new regional

approaches that seek to improve transparency, reduce

conflicts over environmental decisions, and build capacity to implement new rights for citizens.”

The Saint Lucia National Trust, Communications and

Advocacy Officer, Karetta Crooks Charles said, “it was inspiring to see how ordinary citizens, civil society and

the media from Caribbean countries were utilizing the

FOI/Access to Information laws to hold public authorities more accountable. Furthermore, it is hoped

that Saint Lucia will follow suit and ratify its draft FOI

Act of 2009, as well as sign on to the LAC Declaration on Principle 10 which promotes sustainable development

through access to information, public participation and

access to justice.”

The conference was funded by The Commonwealth

Foundation, the United Nations Economic

Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean,

and the Information Commissioner’s Office of the

Cayman Islands. Organizers included the Jamaica

Environment Trust (JET), World Resources Institute

(WRI), The Access Initiative (TAI), Jamaicans for

Justice (JFJ), The Mona School of Business and

Management, and the Access to Information Unit of

Jamaica.

Danielle Andrade, Jamaica Environment Trust & Carole Excell, World Resources Institute

The importance of historical, cultural and

natural heritage to Saint Lucia’s identity

cannot be sufficiently underscored. Our

heritage contributes to our national identity

through a sense of place and belonging. It

also creates a physical link to the events that

have shaped our society. It has economic

value in its ability to contribute to heritage

tourism and to provide a social cohesion

through successful community based and

community led initiatives.”

~ SLNT Strategic Plan~

Members came out in large numbers to the quarterly

membership meeting on March 2nd, 2013 at the

Pigeon Island National Landmark (PINL). It was

particularly uplifting to see the youngsters from the

Southern Chapter’s Youth Group, the Northern

Youth Chapter and the Soufriere Group.

Some of the issues discussed at the meeting included

the Redevelopment of PINL; Freedom Bay

Development; use of the Seabed and the

establishment of Membership Committees.

Members agreed that the PINL redevelopment plan

should be done on a phased basis and staff quarters

should be constructed with urgency, since the

existing conditions are not suitable. Additionally, a

proper cost/benefit analysis should be undertaken

before constructing the proposed gift shop and

renovating Captain’s Cellar. In addition, members

agreed that an in-depth research be done to ascertain

the feasibility as well as the pay-back for each

project. Despite the need for the redevelopment

plan, the members noted that it is important to

maintain the historical character of PINL is during

construction.

Concerning the Freedom Bay Development,

Members said that the Trust needs to be more

proactive concerning development in sensitive areas.

They also noted that support from other interest

groups locally, regionally and internationally should

be sought. A session should be organized to ensure

that parliament/political parties and other agencies

are educated about the importance of our heritage

sites before they grant development approval.

Members also mandated the Secretariat to arrange

Town Hall meetings in Soufriere, Choiseul, Laborie

and other areas. Additionally, a resolution was

tabled at the meeting and members present stated

that an electronic and hard copy of the resolution be

released for signature to members and the wider

public. Another important point raised was the need

to organize a sensitization workshop with the Media

Association on the work of the Trust and the various

heritage conservation concerns affecting the island.

It is believed that this move would help to attain

greater support from the media and help keep these

very important conservation issues at the forefront

of people’s minds.

On the matter of use of the Sea Bed, SLNT Director,

Mr. Bishnu Tulsie informed members that

unfortunately his findings came up limited and

neither the United Kingdom nor Scotland has any

concrete laws regarding the use of the seabed.

Nonetheless, he told the gathering that he will

continue investigating this matter.

Members then stated that Saint Lucia could take the

lead in the absence of an international position;

additionally they stated that Saint Lucia should

enact the existing international laws that it has

signed onto.

Membership Meeting and BBQ

The response from members concerning the

establishment of membership committees was

indeed positive. The Director reminded the

gathering that members were still needed for some

of the following committees; Audit, Financial

Administration and Investment Committee;

Membership Committee; Resource Mobilization;

Friends of the Chair; Conservation; and Youth

Advisory Committee. In order to ensure that all

members receive an equal opportunity, it was agreed

that the deadline will be extended since some

members indicated that they had not seen the Terms

of Reference which was disseminated sometime ago.

Other matters discussed at the meeting included the

anchoring of yachts off Maria Islands and at the

PINL beach; the slaughtering of turtles at Grande

Anse and a possible rewards system for members.

After the meeting ended, the members proceeded to

the beach for a barbecue. There they socialized and

enjoyed a delicious meal against the beautiful

backdrop that only Pigeon Island offers.

Karetta Crooks Charles

SLNT Communications & Advocacy Officer

Thought for the Quarter

“There is hope if people will begin to

awaken that spiritual part of them, that

heartfelt knowledge that we are caretakers

of this planet.” – Brooke Medicine Eagle

A two week workshop in Biosecurity and

Biodiversity monitoring the Offshore Islands was

held from January 14- 24, 2013. The workshop was

organized by Durrell Wildlife in collaboration with

the Forestry Department and the Saint Lucia

National Trust. There were some sixteen participants

with representatives from the said organizations

along with a few other volunteers from the

community.

The workshop was headed by Dr. Nicholas Cole a

Conservationist at Durrell Wildlife. The theoretical

parts of the sessions were very informative, as we

were introduced to the monitoring of Invasive Alien

Species (IAS) of Mauritius. Interactive presentations

were used to inform us of the importance of

biosecurity at all of our Offshore Islands to keep

IAS out. We also discussed in detail the pathways

(points of entry) and all activities associated with

them. One of our sessions included using Google

Earth to identify various incursion points on these

islands.

During the practical sessions, field trips were

organized to Praslin Island and Maria Major. It was

very interesting to note the various quarantine

activities that were associated with our visits, which

included checking our bag pack, all our pockets, and

cleaning our shoes. Matthew Morton of Durrell

Wildlife Conservation and Alwin Donelly of the

Forestry Department also facilitated, and helped us

identify the biosecurity strategies currently

employed. They were quite knowledgeable with

regards to invasive species that have been

introduced to our island. Additionally, we were

taught how to set bait stationsand also how to record

accurately. On our first visit to Maria Major, we

were setting burlaps, which is a coarse material used

for sacks, to monitor geckos, when I realized Mr.

Steven Lesmond of the Forestry Department had

leaped forward and landed on some rocks, I thought

that he had fallen and was going over the edge.

Naturally, I reached out to catch him, imagine my

horror, when I came face to face with the Saint

Lucian Racer! It then dawned on me that this was

Mr. Lesmond’s way of catching the rare snake. This

was indeed exciting, because in my numerous visits

to the island this had been my first encounter with

the racer, which is the world’s rarest known snake.

This workshop has made me more aware of Invasive

Species and their impact on our rare species. It is

integral that when tours are organized to Maria

Major, the proper quarantine measures be

undertaken before we even set foot on the Reserve.

The Saint Lucia National Trust looks forward to its

continued partnership with Durrell Wildlife, and the

Forestry Department in order to better manage our

monitoring activities at our Offshore Islands.

Monitoring our Offshore Islands

Murlina Murray, SLNT Programme Assistant/

Conservation

It was a day of food, fun and fine weather at the 4th

annual Taste the World International Food Fair on

Sunday, February 24, 2013. The Pigeon Island

National Landmark was filled with close to 3000

patrons who came out to support the fund-raising

event organized by the Saint Lucia National Trust.

Food lovers were in euphoria as they enjoyed mouth

watering cuisines from the Philippines, Nigeria,

Saint Lucia, India, Barbados, Cuba, Guyana, France,

Italy, Japan, Trinidad and Tobago and Taiwan.

Some of the highlights of the day included a

cooking demonstration by Chef Orlando Satchell; a

blind beer-tasting and blind food-tasting challenge;

and donut and ice cream eating contests. Taste the

World International Food Fair would not be the

same without fun sports for children and the young

at heart. These sporting contests included lime and

spoon race and three-legged race. Mr. Patrick

Husbands, a Barbadian who holds the title of

number one jockey in Barbados and Canada, was

kind enough to sponsor EC$400 cash to the winners

of the three-legged race contests.

This cash injection did indeed spice up the Food

Fair just a tad more as participants transformed from

relaxed to competitive mode to secure their

winnings.

As if the food, fun and eclectic music were not

enough, the crowd was also wowed by Mamai La

Kai folk band.

The SLNT thanks all patrons who supported this

initiative which will assist the organization to fulfill

its conservation mandate. Special thanks also to our

sponsors which include DBS TV, Scotia Bank, RCI,

CIBC First Caribbean, Royal Bank of Canada,

Bounty Rum, LIME, Bank of Saint Lucia and

Digicel.

All proceeds from the Food Fair go toward the

Trust’s work in conservation. Those who missed the

food fair can check out our photographs at:

http://www.facebook.com/denia.george/posts/14094

5192740863#!/media/set/?set=a.491491140886055.

101489.181981785170327&type=3.

Karetta Crooks Charles

SLNT Communications & Advocacy Officer

Taste the World Delivers Again!!!

OUR MISSION

The SLNT champions

Fair Helen’s patrimony.

OUR VISION

The natural and historical

patrimony of Saint Lucia is

conserved for present and

future generations.

Many of Saint Lucia’s celebrated artists, diplomats

and a few members, friends and staff of the Saint

Lucia National Trust (SLNT) gathered at Alliance

Francaise on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 for the

launch of an exhibition of selected works from the

SLNT’s Project Helen Art Collection.

The exhibition which ran from February 18th to the

28th was in commemoration of Saint Lucia’s 34th

anniversary of independence. The Project Helen Art

Collection is a collection of 78 paintings that capture

the beauty and significance of Saint Lucia’s natural

heritage. The National Trust commissioned the

Honourable Derek Walcott, Sir Dunstan St. Omer,

his sons Luigi and Alwyn St. Omer, Winston

Branch, Llewellyn Xavier, Nancy Cole-Auguste and

Roy Lawaetz to produce over forty paintings. Other

artists, such as Gregory Jules, donated paintings to

the project. Twelve of Mr. Walcott’s paintings

formed part of the exhibition.

Here are a few photographs from the exhibition, you

may also check out:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.599336

840083413.152102.145287282155040&type=3

Karetta Crooks Charles

SLNT Communications & Advocacy Officer

Launch of Project Helen Collection

Upcoming Events

April 18th – World Heritage Day

April 22nd – Earth Day

Forty-five (45) strong moved in with their gloves

and garbage bags ready to do battle with the debris

that had defaced the wonderful wetlands at Savannes

Bay. After about an hour and a half, the hard work

of the volunteers yielded thirty-six (36) bags of

garbage and other debris including a stove and tyres

were piled onto a truck. Unfortunately, the

volunteers discovered a turtle shell among the

debris. Ms. Yvonne Edwin, the Fisheries Assistant

on site noted that the season was closed and it was

obvious that the Hawksbill Turtle was freshly

slaughtered and

all its meat was

extracted.

The cleanup

activity held in

the South of the

island on

Saturday,

February 2nd was in observance of World Wetlands

Day. The activity was organized by the Saint Lucia

National Trust (SLNT) in collaboration with the

Forestry and Fisheries Departments. Mrs. Feria

Narcisse-Gaston of the Forestry Department told the

group that “Wetlands are important for numerous

reasons; various animals use wetlands for

reproduction, migration and feeding; they also serve

as a sponge and help prevent flooding and wetlands

also help to purify water”. She also mentioned that

the Mankote Mangroves which was also scheduled

to be cleaned is recognized internationally because it

is a Ramsar site. According to Mrs. Narcisse-Gaston

the 1971 Ramsar Convention is an international

treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of

wetlands.

At the end of the cleanup the organizing agencies

urged the fishermen present to play their part to keep

the mangroves pristine. They were also told that

talks have already begun with the relevant agencies

to explore obtaining a proper garbage receptacle and

arranging for regular collections so as to avoid a

reappearance of the unsightly waste that had taken

over the wetlands. The group then proceeded to

Mankote Mangroves about 5 minutes away from

Savannes Bay. There we met about ten (10)

members of the Aupicon Charcoal Producers who

were already busy cleaning up the area. Vincent

“Jeg” Clarke, Vice President (VP) of the group

proceeded to share how the charcoal producers

sustainably used the mangrovesto maintain their

livelihood and how the practice had been in his

family for many generations. However, Mr. Clarke

pointed out that many times members of the group

are abused by individuals who continue to

indiscriminately dump their waste at Mankote. The

SLNT took the opportunity to inform the group that

it will liaise with the relevant agencies to put the

necessary measures in place to deter persons from

this illegal practice.

Mr. Clarke informed the group during his talk that it

would take approximately one week to clean

Mankote Mangrove, nonetheless some measure of

success was felt after about 45 minutes when the

group was able to fill the truck with refuse from the

mangroves. Thereafter, the volunteers were invited

to the Trust’s Southern Office at the Maria Island

Interpretation Centre to unwind and enjoy some

delectable refreshments.

Karetta Crooks Charles SLNT Communications & Advocacy Officer

Reclaiming our Wetlands

All saddened by the discovery of a turtle shell

Garbage piled up for collection at Savannes Bay

VP (in red) and members of the Aupicon Charcoal Producers

SLNT

Staff

Happenings

Let’s welcome… NEW EMPLOYEES

Mr. Lance Peterson

Field Officer

SLNT, Southern Office

Caretaker

Ms. Saphira Hunt

Field Officer SLNT, Southern Office

Caretaker

The Saint Lucia National Trust

welcomes all new employees.

February March

Vincent St. Ange - 6th Augustin Paul- 12th

Eleanor Maurille - 19th Murlina Murray- 28th

May your day be filled with smiles, sunshine, love and laughter!!

This is a publication of the Saint Lucia National Trust P.O. Box 595, Castries Tel. 1 758 4525005/ 4531495

Fax: 1 758 4532791 Email: natrust@slunatrust.org Website: www.slunatrust.org