{"id":13072,"date":"2025-04-17T11:24:02","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T15:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drealfmgrenada.com\/?p=13072"},"modified":"2025-04-17T11:24:02","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T15:24:02","slug":"soilcare-project-completes-1st-phase-of-major-effort-to-rehabilitate-degraded-forest-reserve-and-protect-the-vital-forest-reserve-in-les-avocat-grenada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drealfmgrenada.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/17\/soilcare-project-completes-1st-phase-of-major-effort-to-rehabilitate-degraded-forest-reserve-and-protect-the-vital-forest-reserve-in-les-avocat-grenada\/","title":{"rendered":"SOILCARE Project Completes 1st Phase Of Major Effort To Rehabilitate Degraded Forest Reserve And Protect The Vital Forest Reserve In Les Avocat-Grenada"},"content":{"rendered":"

St. George’s Grenada- <\/strong>The Les Avocat Forest Reserve, located in the parish of St. David above the community of Windsor Forest, is undergoing significant restoration efforts as part of a broader initiative to combat land degradation and protect one of Grenada\u2019s most vital watersheds. This watershed, which supplies water to the island\u2019s south via the Les Avocat Dam and Water Treatment Plant, is essential to Grenada\u2019s water security and ecological health.<\/p>\n

Despite its high economic and environmental value, it has been severely impacted by land degradation, including the unchecked spread of invasive species such as Bamboo and Blue Mahoe; species that have significantly reduced water availability, contributed to soil erosion, and led to increased debris flow, threatening both water quality and nearby communities.<\/p>\n

Recognized during Grenada\u2019s Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting Process as one of five national degradation hotspots, Les Avocat was prioritized for urgent intervention. It was later selected for rehabilitation under the Caribbean Small Island Developing States (CSIDS) SOILCARE Phase One Project.<\/p>\n

The restoration commenced in February 2025 and was completed in April and was spearheaded by the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM)\u2014a Caribbean Inter-Governmental Organization\u2014through our Multicountry Soil Management Initiative for Integrated Landscape Restoration and Climate-Resilient Food Systems (SOILCARE) initiative. The project is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with implementation support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and Grenada\u2019s Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Forestry, Marine Resources and Cooperatives.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will be replacing the invasive species with other species that can go through a drought period and provide the necessary shade. It is expected that this would reduce the erosion along the riverbanks and slopes with planting of vetiver grass to stabilize riverbanks and slopes\u201d explained Project Manager-Trevor Thompson.<\/p>\n

A total of twelve locals were trained and employed for this restoration. Fieldwork began with detailed assessments, including soil sampling and the mapping of invasive species. Restoration activities included cutting and shading bamboo stools to suppress regrowth, selective pruning of Blue Mahoe, and clearing of fallen logs to improve forest health.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe logs from this project, are also being shipped to Carriacou- where PISLM is implementing an Integrated Land Management Project; the logs are being used to refence the Government Livestock Facility and the Bamboo, is being used to support rebuilding efforts,\u201d Thompson added.<\/p>\n

Under Phase 1 of the SOILCARE Project, the rehabilitation will cover 10 acres of degraded land. It represents an investment of $88,158.50 Eastern Caribbean Dollars, dedicated to building long-term resilience by restoring degraded lands in this vital watershed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

St. George’s Grenada- The Les Avocat Forest Reserve, located in the parish of St. David above the community of Windsor Forest, is undergoing significant restoration efforts as part of a broader initiative to combat land 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Government News<\/a> Local News<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"St. George’s Grenada- The Les Avocat Forest Reserve, located in the parish of St. David above the community of Windsor Forest, is undergoing significant restoration efforts as part of a broader initiative to combat land 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