Trust to manage Graeme Hall, expand conservation efforts

The Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary, home to Barbados’s largest remaining mangrove forest, is set to reopen in March following a multi-million-dollar acquisition. The South Coast wetland, closed since 2008, will now operate as a paid facility, creating jobs and boosting ecotourism, the new owner has told Barbados TODAY exclusively.

When the sanctuary is reopened, some 20 people will be in full-time jobs and there will be approximately 40 more during the $2.5 million upgrade of the physical amenities.

The owner – prominent businessman and philanthropist Anthony Da Silva – also said that by the end of this month, a new entity he spearheaded — the Barbados Wetlands Trust (BWT) – will take control of managing the sanctuary as a national asset dedicated to nature conservation, community engagement and sustainable ecotourism.

The popular sanctuary, which has been closed since 2008, was bought from the estate of late owner Peter Allard just days before Christmas.

It is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including several rare and endangered species, making it one of the most significant natural habitats in Barbados. The site has historically served as a critical refuge for wildlife, a resource for environmental education and a destination for ecotourism.

Da Silva, who is also Protector of the Trust, disclosed that there will be a need to import some additional species of wildlife to replenish the stock.

He said: “There is a need to replace wildlife exhibits . . . the extent of that . . . we are working with the government, specifically the Veterinary Department, in discussions about importation of exhibits that would add back the character to Graeme Hall and that would fill the facilities at Graeme Hall that were part of the infrastructure built by the previous owner.”

He also disclosed that the trust will extend its focus on the conservation and protection of other wetlands across Barbados.

“I think in large measure, a lot of Barbadians feel that Graeme Hall is the jewel in the wetland conservation crown; but we do have important wetlands at Chancery Lane, we do have important wetlands at Morgan Lewis, we do have important wetlands at Long Pond and we do have important wetlands at River Bay in St Lucy,” Da Silva said.

“And I would like to think that, through The Barbados Wetlands Trust, we are going to ultimately find a means by which, hopefully, with government support, we can put those sites into some kind of model of custody so they can be conserved. But they can also be enjoyed and be used and be beneficial to the country and the society.”

Da Silva said the purchase of the unique ecosystem includes the 33 acres of real estate and the name of the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary, which will remain in use until some other decision is made regarding it.

He said the purposes of the trust are to, among other things, hold and manage the trust fund effectively to support conservation and management efforts of nature reserves in Barbados, work for nature’s recovery by establishing and maintaining well-managed, accessible nature reserves that preserve Barbados’ unique ecosystems, and to acquire real estate suitable for nature reserves, thereby expanding the protected areas network in Barbados.

It is also to provide efficient and continuing custodianship with the objective of preserving, protecting and improving any amenity of any nature reserve vested in the trust, ensuring long-term ecological and financial sustainability; promote community participation in healthy recreation by providing facilities and access to nature reserves, encouraging people of all ages to connect with nature through inspiring events, educational programmes and recreational activities; and advance ecotourism as a sustainable economic activity that supports local communities and raises awareness about the importance of conservation.

Da Silva also announced that the trust will conduct its own water quality assessments in the Graeme Hall Swamp which years ago was affected by raw sewage that flowed into the streets along the south coast tourist belt.

He declared that whatever the results are, the government has committed itself to supporting the maintenance of the sanctuary and improving life in the area as it prepares to develop the South Coast Sewage Plant at a tertiary level.

Da Silva was full of praise for the administration which has been “very cooperative” in facilitating his purchase of the nature sanctuary.

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb