In early September 2025, Saint Lucia hosted a two-day workshop led by Bandiougou Diawara, Programme Specialist for Natural Sciences at the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean. The event brought together representatives from government, academia, industry, and civil society to develop a proposal for establishing the country’s first biosphere reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. The workshop focused on building local capacity in conservation, sustainable development, and community engagement, emphasizing the protection of biodiversity while supporting the livelihoods and well-being of local communities. Inclusive approaches incorporating traditional knowledge were highlighted as essential for the initiative’s success.
The proposed biosphere reserve aims to strengthen environmental preservation, promote sustainable resource use, and enhance Saint Lucia’s global visibility. Discussions during the workshop stressed the importance of logistical support, research, education, and local capacity building, alongside adopting a zoning approach and creating a comprehensive management plan. The workshop also included three working groups tasked with defining the core functions of the reserve, identifying priority landscapes, ecosystems, and habitats for conservation, and exploring opportunities to advance sustainable development within the area.
Ahead of the workshop, a field visit was organized by the National Commission for UNESCO and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and Rural Development to the north-east coast of Saint Lucia, a potential site for the biosphere reserve. Located approximately 20 km from the capital, Castries, the area features diverse ecosystems, including dramatic cliffs, coastal forests, and rich ecological habitats, combining both environmental and scenic value.
The field visit highlighted two emblematic locations. Grand Anse Beach, a key nesting ground for sea turtles, remains largely intact with minimal deforestation, while Casaba Beach, though featuring some hotel infrastructure, maintains low environmental impact due to its limited scale and design. These sites were identified as high-priority areas for conservation and sustainable management within the proposed biosphere reserve.
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