PR — A brand new observation platform is in place at the west end of the Telescope Mangrove ecosystem, close to the Telescope Pond (in the parish of St. Andrew) to add to the birdwatching and environmental education experience of schools and communities.
The area is one of the most important birding areas in Grenada as it is known to be a nesting and roosting site for over 46 species of resident and migratory birds.
Built at a cost of just over EC$19,000, the platform was constructed in an effort to enhance the mangrove forest there, making it more enjoyable, accessible and visible to the general public. The tower rises 16 feet high, well into the tree canopies making it an exciting new utility for birdwatchers, environment educators and nature enthusiasts.
Funding for this new community asset was provided by the Sandals Foundation to the Grenada Fund for Conservation (GFC), with infrastructural support from the Forestry and National Parks Department.
According to Tyrone Buckmire, Founder and Executive Director of GFC, “we are very happy to have again received support from Sandals Foundation to assist in our ongoing conservation awareness work throughout Grenada. This platform was built under our 2022-2023 contract with the Foundation, which also included hosting of a summer camp and school presentations to mark various UN Environmental Awareness Days. We express our sincere thanks to them for their continuing investment in community education and other projects in Grenada.”
In agreement, Georgia Scarlett, Environmental Projects Coordinator, Sandals Foundation, stated, “The Sandals Foundation is pleased to continue the support to GFC for environmental conservation. This work has spanned over multiple years with the planting of over 5000 mangroves, support to a mangrove nursery, beach clean ups, and presentations to schools across the island of Grenada. This Platform complements this work, as students, teachers and community residents may now participate in birdwatching there and learn of the birds of Grenada while overlooking the mangrove forest.”
