Grenada & Carriacou / Special Interests / Conservation

Grenada has instituted a number of National Parks, covering the various different environments that are found on the island. The Grand Etang area is protected for its rainforest (though the damage from Hurricane Ivan in 2004 is still clearly visible here), as is Levera in the north-east, for its coastal ecology, both onshore and offshore. Lake Antoine just south of it is also a reserve. La Sagesse, in its own cove on the south shore is an excellent place for bird-watching. There is closed season on hunting at certain times of year for certain species including lobster, turtle, sea urchin, possum (known locally as manicou) and on some birds including the ramier pigeon.

There are also some underwater parks, for instance the reef at Molinière north of St George’s, which is good for snorkelling.

Carriacou

A number of parks and reserves exist in Carriacou but for the offshore islands particularly it is a case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. Sandy Island, a classic Caribbean cay in the bay off Hillsborough, has seen terrible destruction over the years there has been so much destruction to the reef from stamping feet and anchors.

There are also parks and proposed parks on land. A project that is seeing some success is the replanting of mangroves at Petit Carenage in the north of the island near Windward. There is also a proposed park nearby, the Park of the High North, which will cover 1500 acres of deciduous forest, Anse la Roche and a mangrove swamp. It is backed by the Kido Project which seeks to conserve the natural vegetation and put in place sustainable development in the north of the island. There are trails with guides who will escort walks and there has been a programme of education about the importance of the protection of the environment.

Non-profit organisations and Government links:

KIDO Ecological Research Station (KERS), The Sanctuary, Carriacou, t 443 7936 | kido-ywf@caribsurf.com | www.kido-projects.com