On Friday, Apr 12th, 2019, the Fond St. Jacques Development Committee hosted a Business Simulation Exercise for two agro-processing businesses located in Fond St. Jacques, Soufriere: Jacq-Co Valley Products Ltd. and Rainforest Foods. The exercise was conducted by professionals of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC), namely by Dr. M. Lashley, Ms. Faye Henry, Ms. M.L. Catty and Mr. E. Ottley.The exercise, also referred to as a Micro Business Game, has been developed as “a highly i...

The use of Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), more commonly known as Drone technology, is now becoming more accepted as a tool to enhance monitoring and management of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The Caribbean Aqua-Terrestrial Solutions (CATS) Programme recognises that this technology is vital to the management of marine protected areas of watersheds, and has therefore embarked on a regional capacity building technical support initiative in its partner island territories of Saint Lucia, Grenada...

The Caribbean Aqua-Terrestrial Solutions (CATS) Programme Phase II (Building Climate Resilience from the Ridge to the Reef), during the period of November 19th – 30th 2018, as part of a regional capacity building initiative, trained 18 ecosystems management officers in the operation and application of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS, "drone") technology, for environmental monitoring and management. The training also featured the participation of the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA)...

The Iwokrama Forest is a 371'000 ha FSC-certified forest in the "Green Heart of Guyana" and is one of only four remaining intact rain forest systems in the world. It is located in the center of the Guyana Shield, a geological formation underlying the whole of Guyana, Suriname and French-Guyana as well as parts for Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. Under a joint mandate from the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth Secretariat to manage the Iwokrama Forest, the Iwokrama International Centre (I...

On October 16th, 2018, the CATS programme took part in the Saint Lucian TV talk show "What's happening now - with Laura". Our CATS colleague Dr. Camille David, expert for coastal and marine systems, discussed with several stakeholders from the Soufriere Watershed in Saint Lucia, how sustainable management and development of a watershed can be achieved. Alongside Dr. David, important partners to the CATS programme were on the show, such as the GEF UNDP Small Grants Programme , IWEco, Fruitage Jeu...

Caribbean countries and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are among the most vulnerable to the effects of Global Climate Change. While contributing the least to the causes, small island states and low-lying countries have been the first to experience the impacts and will suffer the greatest consequences of this existential threat. The short documentary below highlights that these most affected countries are literally "running out of time and water." Action has to be taken immediately t...

TAMCC students consult facilitator during lunch break at Natural Pest Control training at the farm of Evans Gooding of NEFO Farmers Saint Lucia has been conducting many training sessions on non-chemical use within the agricultural sector.  These have been facilitated by Agronomist, Thaddeus Constantine of the Ministry of Agriculture.  Several private and public sector entities within the State have also benefitted from the technical expertise of Mr. Quint Odlum, on the installation and appl...

Participants learn various skills associated with mushroom cultivation and pure culture During the week of March 6th 2017, Nick Troubetzkoy’s Emerald Farm of Jade Mountain/Anse Chastanet  hosted a training for farmers in Mushroom Cultivation.  This initiative was birthed during discussions of the Emerald Farm Manager, Dr. Pawan Srivastava, with project partners, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Caribbean Aqua-Terrestrial Solutions (CATS) Programme which is implemented jointly by the Ger...

Representatives from four key organisations involved in management of the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park met today with representative from the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) – Eva Maria Naeher to initiate plans for the preparation of a management plan for the property which was recently inscribed on the World Heritage List. The Jamaican organisations which will lead the process are: the Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust, National Environment and Planning Agency, F...

P3D-Modelling of watersheds Roseau. April 15, 2015. Over 30 community members from the Soufriere-Scotts Head-Gallion area and representatives from various government ministries completed a three dimensional model of their communities to help with spatial planning. The completed model was formally handed over to the Soufriere-Scotts Head-Gallion Village Council on April 14, 2015 with the understanding that it can be used by other organisations to assist with spatial planning. This is part of...