Anse-La-Raye, Saint Lucia- The Riverbank Restoration Project, a collaborative effort by the Department of Forestry and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to restore degraded riverbanks in three west coast communities, has entered a crucial phase with workers receiving orientation and training.

The workers in the Anse-La-Raye section were oriented on the critical aspects of the project, including protection measures, safety protocols, and the proper handling of snakes. The comprehensive training ensures that workers remain safe while undertaking this crucial work, according to Sharmaine Donovan-Augustin, Millet Range Officer for the Department of Forestry.

The National Project Coordinator of the ACP MEAS 3 Project, Leshan Monrose, reported that the Anse La Raye community has welcomed the project with open arms, recognizing the critical importance of protecting their natural resources and the need to improve their water system’s current state.

The Riverbank Restoration Project aims to strengthen degraded riverbanks with agroforestry crops and forestry species, reducing erosion, deforestation, and waste disposal while improving the quality of the river water. This partnership with the FAO and the ACP MEA’s 3 Project demonstrates Saint Lucia’s unwavering commitment to preserving its natural resources and securing its food security.

The workers’ orientation and training signify a crucial step in achieving this goal, demonstrating Saint Lucia’s commitment to building a resilient and sustainable future where the environment, economy, and society are in harmony.

For further information, please contact the Department of Forestry at forestry@govt.lc.