LocationsForestry officers participate in a Knowledge Exchange exercise, facilitated by UNDP under the IWEco project.
Forestry Officers from St. Vincent and the Grenadines take in information during a knowledge exchange to St. Lucia.
UNDP/Zaimis Olmos
KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent and the Grenadines – Ten Forestry and Extension officers from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Rural Transformation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines were in Saint Lucia from September 3 - 5 for a three-day knowledge exchange visit, facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the IWEco project.
The visit aimed to promote best practices and exchange ideas with the St. Lucia Forestry Department, which shared its experiences from its implementation of the IWEco project there. The IWEco project in St. Vincent is broadly focused on sustainable land management with interventions in various parts of the island including the Central Forest Mountain Range, Buccament watershed, Georgetown watershed and others. The visit to Saint Lucia covered several topics, including managing and producing vanilla; running community-based nurseries; restoring degraded landscapes; and general agroforestry.
Mr. Karl Augustine, Acting Assistant Chief Forestry Officer and IWEco National Project Coordinator, said, “In the area of sustainable land management, the Division of Forestry in Saint Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines operate under similar conditions, and this was a very good opportunity to share best practices and experiences and to create a viable network between staff members of both institutions.”
Ms. Makini Barrow, IWEco National Project Coordinator in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, said, “As the IWECo project draws to a close in St Vincent and the Grenadines, we deemed it important to facilitate this exchange to ensure that there is meaningful knowledge transfer of the insights and lessons learned during project implementation. This exchange was an excellent opportunity for professional development and will greatly benefit ongoing efforts to improve environmental management practices in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”
Upon their return to St. Vincent, the Forestry officers are expected to conduct sessions for technical staff within their respective departments, focused on sharing the knowledge and experiences gained from the IWEco St. Lucia project. Additionally, they will be responsible for preparing a detailed roadmap report outlining steps for incorporating the best practices learned within the Department of Forestry, National Parks, and Agriculture.
The IWEco project is slated to come to an end in St. Vincent and the Grenadines later this year. IWEco is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) implementing some activities.
About UNDP
UNDP is the leading United Nations organisation fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at bb.undp.org or follow at @UNDPBarbadosEC.
About the IWEco Project
The Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystems Management in Caribbean Small Island Developing States (IWEco Project) is a five-year, regional project which addresses water, land and biodiversity resource management as well as climate change in ten Caribbean Small Island Developing States.
Additional photos available via UNDP Barbados and Eastern Caribbean Flickr Album.
