Mrs. Fay Narcise Gaston has returned from completing her diploma in environmental education in England. She continues her work promoting environmental stewardship in St. Lucia schools. A group of students participated in a cleanup of the Forestiere Forest Reserve. A delegation of 23 people from St. Vincent visited natural sites in St. Lucia to learn about eco-tourism as a conservation tool and nature-based tourism.
1. D E PA RT M E N T O F F O R E S T RY M AY / J U N E 0 9
E N V I RO N M E N TA L E D U C A T I O N U N I T BU L L E T I N
What’s been going on ?
APPRECIATING OUR OWN !!
New Staff
Mrs. Feria Narcise Gaston affectionately Do you know this per-
Fay is back from England after successfully
completing her diploma in Environmental
son? If not then I am
Education this May 2009. She has been the pleased to introduce
major driving force in the Iyanola St. Lucia Ms. Eunice Paul our
Iguana Pride Campaign and her diligence continues as she new Senior Executive
forges ahead with her sensitization at the various schools on Officer (SEO). she
the island. I (Nicole La Force) though new, have had the privi-
lege of working with her and let me tell you it is something won-
handles personnel matters such as recom-
derful that she is doing. She is not daunted by the challenges mendations for staff upgrading etc. She
one faces when trying to effect attitude change and instill pride has a wealth of experience and has
for ones patrimony in citizens who show little appreciation for worked with Public Service Commission,
the treasures they possess in their very backyard. Ministry of Finance and the list contin-
The knowledge and training she has received from the RARE
ues. You will currently find her occupy-
organization is invaluable and has had the fortuitous opportu- ing what used to be Indira’s office. Make
nity to associate with St. Lucia’s and Forestry’s long time her feel at home everyone.
friend Mr. Paul Butler himself. Welcome to the Forestry Department Ms.
Paul !!
Fay extends thanks and gratitude to everyone who assisted her
in making her campaign a success.
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU FAY and YOUR
CONTINUED SUCCESS !!! World Desertification Day
June 17 th 2009
Desertification & its Causes
Cleanliness is next to Godliness !!
This is the degradation of land in arid and dry
sub–humid areas, resulting primarily from
man-made activities and influenced by cli-
matic variations.
Some of the major impacts of desertification
are the loss of biodiversity and productive
capacity of a nation. This places greater pres-
sure on already limited resources which often
The conservation and sustainable management of the environment is everyone's cause conflict among nations.
business and for this years World Environmental Day this concept is clearly ex-
pressed in it’s theme: 'Your Planet Needs You-UNite to Combat Climate Beat back the desert and plant trees. The
Change' celebrated June 5th . Forestry Department was directly responsible
A group of conscientious students from Forestiere called the Junior Rangers with for the planting of trees at many school sites,
the assistance of forest officer Gloria Mortley played their part in bettering our both for the beautification of the grounds and
environment with a Clean up Campaign of the Forestiere Forest Reserve and also to teach the students the importance of
Fond Khodra. Suffice to say the difference was appreciated by community mem- protecting the environment from some of the
bers as was reported by Ms. Mortley. To quote the words of a famous now de- perils it faces due to man’s negligence. Foot-
ceased pop star “ I’m starting with the man in the mirror. I’m asking him to make age was taken by Mr. Worrel St. Louis so look
that change”. We all can make a change. Let us start today by reducing our car- out for it on NTN.
bon footprint thereby protecting our planet.
Schools such as the Marchand Combined,
Richfond Combined, Forestiere Combined
Phone: 468-5648/5 and others all benefited.
E-mail your suggestions/ ideas to:
eeunit@gmail.com
Done by: Nicole La Force.
2. D E PA RT M E N T O F F O R E S T RY M A Y / J U NE 0 9
E N V I RO N M E N TA L E D U C A T I O N U N I T BU L L E T I N
What’s been going on ?
VINCENTIAN CREW IN ST. LUCIA
A delegation of about 23 Vincentians from the St. Vincent
National Parks Society visited St. Lucia during the first week
of June where they toured various nature tourism heritage
sites such as La Tille Falls, Fond D’ Or Estate, the Sulphur
Springs Park, Des Cartiers rainforest trail, Pigeon Island,
Sky Rides and many others.
They were also addressed by several tour opera-
tors . Why was all this done you may ask? Well
we were being hospitable and more than that, we
were providing first hand knowledge of how our
eco-tourism product is organized so that this
knowledge can be applied as a template if you will
for the Vincentian eco-tourism product.
Hats off to Ms. Sylvie Raymond who organized all
the logistics for a wonderful and productive visit
by our visiting friends and this included transpor-
tation, meals, contact and scheduling of tour op-
erators and heritage sites operators etc.
With my brief interaction with our friends I could
tell that they were having a great time while ac-
quiring information on the dynamics of eco-tourism
as a nature conservation tool.
WE WISH THEM EVERY SUCCESS AND MAY OUR
COLLABORATION CONTINUE.
Phone: 468-5648/5
E-mail your suggestions/ ideas to: Done by: Nicole La Force.
eeunit@gmail.com