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Saint Lucia has attended a few meetings as an Observer of the Principle 10 negotiations geared at reaching an agreement which will give citizens in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) an opportunity to be involved from the onset in the decision-making process on environmental matters. But today was different, as the Permanent Secretary in the Department of Sustainable Development, Ms. Valerie Leon officially announced that Saint Lucia has joined the process thereby making them the 24th signatory country to this ambitious initiative. The announcement was made on the first day of the seventh meeting of the negotiating committee of the regional agreement on access to information, participation and justice in environmental matters in LAC being held at Palacio San Martín, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship in Buenos Aires, Argentina from July 31 – August 4, 2017.

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This is a wonderful country with a rich heritage and lovely people, and even if I am not a born Saint Lucian I got teary eyed a few times especially to the end. This is an educational and entertaining film that took us on a fascinating historical journey of Saint Lucia’s natural, cultural and historical heritage. The question now is, what can we do to conserve and preserve our island’s patrimony?” The foregoing sentiments were expressed by the Communications and Advocacy Officer of the Saint Lucia National Trust (SLNT), Karetta Crooks Charles, as she addressed an audience of primarily young people gathered at Caribbean Cinemas to participate in the SLNT’s 2017 Youth for Conservation Retreat. The main feature of this year’s event was the viewing of a documentary on Saint Lucia’s heritage, ‘Who are You?’, which was followed by a panel discussion.

On an island which relaxes the mind, with birds chirping, anoles and whiptails scurrying over leaf litter; Maria Islands Nature Reserve is home to five endemic reptiles including the elusive Saint Lucia Racer.

According to an article published on The Guardian, “Conservationists have warned that a planned $2.6bn resort development in St Lucia which aims to attract Chinese investors could threaten vulnerable species and change the character of the island”.

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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/31/st-lucia-pearl-of-the-caribbean-resort-environmental-threat?CMP=share_btn_link

A creative animation dubbed “What is Principle 10?” by Ted Sandiford of Saint Lucia copped first place in a regional video/animation competition called “Our Environment, Our Voices”. While, Luis Vera of Mexico came second with a video called “We saved the Cocospera River”. The winners of the contest were announced on Monday, March 20th in Brazil at the 6th Meeting of the Negotiating Committee of the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

Day one of the 6th Negotiations for a Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Access to Justice was packed yet fruitful. There were contact group sessions on access to information and participation; an opening session; a panel discussion on rights of access to environmental justice, and sharing of national actions undertaken by governments and civil society to promote Principle 10. This important and visionary process known as Principle 10 seeks to enhance environmental governance in Latin America and the Caribbean and uniquely allows civil society to share their expertise with the governments of the 23 signatory countries. Nicaragua is also attending as an Observer country.

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The atmosphere was charged as 222 members and staff of the Saint Lucia National Trust and 70 non-members gathered for the first Trust membership meeting for 2017. There was hardly any standing space in the Bougainvillea Conference Room at the Bay Gardens Hotel for the attendees who came from all across the island to discuss pertinent issues affecting Saint Lucia’s heritage.

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The Saint Lucia National Trust (SLNT) has implemented the first phase of a comprehensive coastal/beach rehabilitation exercise with the installation of a physical barrier on the eastern end of the Sandy Beach strip within the Pointe Sable Environmental Protection Area (PSEPA) in Vieux Fort. The main purpose of installing the barrier is to restrict vehicular access to certain areas which have been targeted for rehabilitation to reduce excessive compacting of these areas. The SLNT assures the public that pedestrian access to the beach will not be affected by the barrier.

The Saint Lucia National Trust is preparing to host its first Quarterly Membership Meeting, for 2017, on March 11th from 1 p.m. at the Bougainvillea Conference Room, Bay Gardens Hotel in Rodney Bay. Trust Members and members of the public interested in learning more about our projects and programmes are encouraged to contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 452-5005 to confirm their attendance. Please note that Secretariat Staff will be on hand to enroll persons who are not members.

February 25, 2017 was memorable for one main reason, The Maria Islands. The Saint Lucia National Trust in keeping with its mandate to educate, protect and preserve the environment organized a field trip to this location. The group consisting of 40 participants gathered at the National Trust’s Southern Office on Sandy Beach; the Maria Islands Interpretation Centre. This office was refurbished in 2011 and is equipped with a conference room, office space, teaching paraphernalia, and on exhibit are local clay artifacts and a musket. These were not labelled but this will come.

The Walcott Place project was created to provide a physical space to celebrate the achievements of Sir Derek Walcott and his twin brother, Roderick Walcott, to be a source of inspiration and education and to spawn the regeneration of a depressed community in Castries. Since the renovation and official reopening of the Walcott’s house in January 2016, several plans have been in motion to ensure that the project’s objectives are achieved and that Saint Lucians, especially those residing on Chaussee Road and environs are positively influenced. To this end, Saint Lucia National Trust is pleased to announce the launch of the Julia and Edward Parris Scholarship Programme. The brief ceremony was held at the Walcott House on Wednesday, February 15, 2017.

World Wetlands Day, which is celebrated on the 2nd of February annually, was established to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands for humanity and the planet. Wetlands such as mangroves and coral reefs, are beneficial to our environment for water purification, flood protection, shoreline stabilization, a habitat for wildlife and so on. Hence, the cleaning of the mangroves is a worthy cause.

The Saint Lucia National Trust (SLNT) and other partners joined in the global effort to preserve wetlands by commemorating World Wetlands Day which is celebrated annually on February 2nd. The theme for this year is ‘Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction.’ It speaks to raising awareness and highlighting the vital roles of healthy wetlands in reducing the impacts of extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and cyclones on communities, and in helping to build resilience.

The Saint Lucia National Trust hosted a week of activities in celebration of the Nobel Laureate Festival. Although the festival was centered on Sir Arthur Lewis and Sir Derek Walcott, at Walcott House the emphasis was on the Honourable Sir Derek Walcott and his brother Roderick Walcott.

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The OGP Talk article featured in the October to December 2016 Newsletter of the Saint Lucia National Trust (SLNT) considered the sustained efforts of Jamaica’s leaders to demonstrate their commitment to promoting open governance and public participation by joining the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in December 2016 subsequent to their ratification of Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development in June 2012. The article also highlighted the basic tenets of the OGP and requirements of OGP partners. This article will briefly consider how open governance policies can help a country achieve its commitments under the Paris Agreement more effectively.

The term ‘heritage’ is often associated with an inheritance of some sort that is passed on from generation to generation and is often regarded as a valuable possession. However, since the adoption of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1972, particular emphasis has been placed on recognising ‘natural’ heritage.