Research Projects

SusGren : Mini Projects

Phase 1 - 2004
ASHTON WHARF BEAUTIFICATION, UNION ISLAND
BEQUIA COASTAL ENHANCEMENT
UPGRADING OF TWO CANOUAN WATER CATCHMENTS
CARRIACOU HISTORICAL MONUMENT
SUSTAINABLE GARBAGE DISPOSAL, MAYREAU
SITE ENHANCEMENT AT SANCHEZ BEACH PARK, PETITE MARTINIQUE

Phase 2 - 2005
ESTABLISHING THE CEC OFFICE
PROJECT HOPE - YOUTH AND THE SEA
BIG POND BEAUTIFICATION AND PARK PROJECT, CARRIACOU
JEFF GREGG DRAIN REHABILITATION PROJECT, BEQUIA
BEQUIA HARBOUR AND BEACHES CLEANUP AND ENHANCEMENT

Phase 2 - 2006
REVITALIZATION IF THE SAILING TRADITION
ESPLANADE DEVELOPMENT & BEAUTIFICATION
PARADISE BEACH DEVELOPMENT & ENHANCEMENT
VILLAGES/ISLAND NAME BOARDS
DIABLO BEACH ENHANCEMENT

PHASE 1

Top

ASHTON WHARF BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT
Young Help Striders 4H Club, Ashton, Union Island

The Ashton Wharf was in a terrible mess because of an accumulation of debris. The mangroves in the area were becoming littered and shore access for fishing boats was impaired by clutter. There was nothing to welcome boat visitors to Ashton.

This project entailed the removal of conch shells and garbage from the water surrounding Ashton Wharf. It was done to protect the mangroves from garbage pollution, to provide adequate moorage for fishing boats, to turn an eyesore area into a place of beauty and relaxation for the community and to erect a welcome sign for visitors.

The area was fenced to allow the planting of flowers and trees by keeping stray animals out. A swing and benches were installed to allow the community to enjoy the scenery, relax and socialise. The work was done by 4H members, parents and volunteers within the community.

Top

BEQUIA COASTAL ENHANCEMENT
The Rotaract Club of Bequia

This project focused on three areas:

Beach Clean up - three days of work on the Princess Margaret beach where large trees were uprooted and left lying in a haphazard manner from the passage of a hurricane some three or four years ago. The debris were cut up using chain saws.
Tree Planting - Several palms were purchased to be planted during the rainy season on the grounds of the two secondary schools and the primary schools.
Signs. - Six signs were designed by the club to be installed at different venues on the island. The signs contain facts about the islands and point out the location of certain historical and other areas to tourists.

Top

UPGRADING OF TWO CANOUAN WATER CATCHMENTS
Canouan Island Council (CIC) and Club Nuevo

The project involved upgrading two water catchment facilities, which, due to poor management, fell into disrepair. (During the rainy season, residents utilize their own water source, but in the dry season however, residents use the water from these catchment areas as an alternative source. With its new mandate the CIC took the responsibility to repair the catchments and will ensure the proper management of the facilities.

Top

CARRIACOU HISTORICAL MONUMENT
Windward Sailing Club & Carriacou Historical Society

This project was a collaboration of three NGOs to provide a memorial to the terrible loss of lives of nine people, including three school children, due to the explosion of a mine at the end of World War II. In 1945, the mine was found in Windward Bay and towed ashore by some fishermen. Unknowingly, they started to strip the object with the hope to find treasure. In the process it exploded killing everyone in the vicinity. The purpose of the project was to install a monument in commemoration of the sad day for the people of Windward and noting the far-reaching effect of World War II.

Top

SUSTAINABLE GARBAGE DISPOSAL
Mayreau Environmental Development Organisation (MEDO)

Mayreau is the only island community without an official Government solid waste programme. It was decided to begin addressing this with some small steps which included purchasing garbage bins for all households in Mayreau so that the indiscriminate dumping of garbage in the nearby vegetation would be controlled. Community discussions were held, as well as general community self-help garbage clean-up campaigns. Projects Promotion Ltd. in St. Vincent purchased, labelled and transported 70 garbage bins with wheels. Each was permanently labelled with the householder's name.

MEDO held village meetings on garbage disposal and its relation to tourism, and spoke individually to each recipient outlining the purpose of the bins. Some work was also done with the school children and a team from the Government's Solid Waste Management Unit in St. Vincent visited the island.

Top

SITE ENHANCEMENT AT SANCHEZ BEACH - PARK
Petite Martinique New Women's Organization, and Petite Martinique Fisherman CooperativeSanchez Beach

This project entailed development of a beach park in the area north of the main jetty in PM.

The following activities were undertaken:

Fisherman group, youth group and women group organized a clean up day. Businessman provided heavy equipment to grade and groom the beach as well as move huge logs and metal scraps. Garbage was transferred to Carriacou through solid waste distribution system.
Two concretes seats were installed and a picnic bench was constructed
A gazebo was constructed to provide facility for relaxing. The gazebo will also serve as shelter to wait for the ferry and for the adjacent playing field.
Two garbage bins were placed in the area.

PHASE 2

Top

ESTABLISHING THE CEC OFFICE
Carriacou Environmental Committee, Hillsborough, Carriacou

Hurricane Ivan on September 7th, 2004 completely destroyed the roof of the Evangelical Church, home of the Carriacou Environmental Committee (CEC) Office. Apart from not having a place to function, the CEC lost two computers, a photocopier and a considerable amount of its documents. The president set up a make shift office at her home, but Hurricane Emily in July 2005 destroyed the roof there. The CEC decided to establish an office of its own in a contained. The Sustainable Grenadines Project contributed to this effort and in 2005 the new office was opened.

Top

PROJECT HOPE – YOUTH AND THE SEA
Young Help Striders 4H Club, Ashton, Union Island

This project set out to teach youths fishing and boating skills. There were 15 youths involved, eight females and seven males. Adults also participated in the building of the fish pots. They worked along with the youth to ensure that the project was a success. On June 11th the project boat was finished and the rowing component of the project commenced. The youths were taken out into the woodland areas to find sticks to complete the fish pots. They were also taken out to sea by resource person Mr. Harvey who is a fisherman. He taught them how to row a boat and took them out to sea where he instructed them on how to fish responsibly with fish pots. He also took them out to do moonlight fishing and conch diving.

Top

BIG POND BEAUTIFICATION AND PARK PROJECT, CARRIACOU
Bay a Leau Development Committee

The aim of the overall project, of which this Miniproject was a part, is the establishment of a nature conservation site around Big Pond in Bay a Leau, Carriacou. Trees were planted around the pond, and two gazebos and two double back benches were constructed. The organization deemed the exercise a success as adults and youths took pride in participating especially in the tree planting. The area has been enhanced with the trees and can be used for relaxation by community members.

Top

JEFF GREGG DRAIN REHABILITATION PROJECT, BEQUIA
Sand Watch SIV Youth Project, Bequia

Students and teachers of the youth group and volunteers from the community participated in cleaning the debris from the area and publicising the results in the national papers. The participants constructed debris traps at both ends of the culvert. The steel mesh trapped solid waste which was collected and disposed of through the Solid Waste Management Unit. The students also collected water samples to test for coliform bacteria. The samples showed that the bacteria were present at the site.

This project also placed garbage bins and benches made of crushed/discarded bottles collected at the site. There has being a continuous public awareness campaign on the importance of proper garbage disposal and fishermen were educated on matters concerning the protection of their marine environment.

Top

BEQUIA HARBOUR AND BEACHES CLEANUP AND ENHANCEMENT
Bequia Tourism Association, Port Elizabeth, Bequia

This project is to improve the appearance of Bequia's wharf area, waterfront and adjacent beaches. It aims to control pollution of bays, harbours, reefs etc. by providing other means of waste disposal than dumping on the beaches and in the sea. The project will involve:

Clean-up of Port Elizabeth Harbour area and the two most neglected beaches Princess Margaret beach on the leeward side, and Hope Beach on the Windward side.
Planting palm trees along the coast of the beaches. Clearing of Pathway from Belmont to Princess Margaret Beach and from Lower Bay to Princess Margaret Beach.
Installing of litterbins made by Bequia Community High School in their cement and recycled glass project--- on Harbour Beach, Princess Margaret Beach, Lower Bay Beach and friendship Beach Signage.
Arranging to have regular collection and proper disposal by either the Beach Attendants on those Beaches that have, or community volunteers where there are no Beach Attendants.

Top

REVITALIZATION OF THE SAILING TRADITION
Canouan Sailing Club

The Sailing Tradition in Grenadines has been slowly stagnating; no longer are the men of the grenadines totally dependent on the sea for subsistence, other employment avenues have availed themselves hence sailing is now only considered for mere recreational purposes. This project will seek to encourage sailing amongst the youth by providing incentives and so preserve the longevity of the sailing tradition. The project will involve:

building a sailing boat to use for training young sailors
conducting classes in the art of sailing.

Top

ESPLANADE DEVELOPMENT & BEAUTIFICATION
Dover Government School, Carriacou

This project will enhance the water front of the Hillsborough town thereby making the beach front more user friendly while creating a friendly environment for social activities. The project will involve the;

Provision of a facility on the beach front to meet the needs of the locals and tourists using the beach
To develop and enhance nautical activities on the island of Carriacou
To encourage visitors to watch and participate in regatta activities in comfort and convenience.

Top

PARADISE BEACH DEVELOPMENT & ENHANCEMENT
L’Esterre South Striders Social Club, Carriacou

The project will provide facilities for the multiple users of the most commonly used beach on the island of Carriacou and enhance the beach by the planting of trees. The project will:

Provide a modern facility on the beach to meet the needs of the locals and tourists using the beach.
Enhance the tourism product by developing the infrastructure and making the area more user friendly.
Strengthen the sustainable tourism product offered in Carriacou.
Create a facility to accommodate spectator needs for viewing and socialising during major events such as regattas.

Top

VILLAGES/ISLAND NAME BOARDS
Petite Martinique Catholic Youth Movement and the Petite Martinique Women’s Organisation

The project is aimed at enhancing the physical appearance of Petite Martinique and will provide visitors to the island with the names and information on the villages, the island and on areas of historical importance. This project will;

enhance the tourism product on the island
enable visitors and locals alike identify the villages and significant places on the island
inform the public and visitors of the basic facts of our island

Top

DIABLO BEACH ENHANCEMENT
Union Island Environmental Attackers, Clifton, Union Island

Union Island is visited by thousands of tourists annually. One of the goals of this group is to make the beautiful beaches more attractive for the tourists as well as the locals. This project will focus on the Diablo Beach in Clifton and will involve: