Blogs
High Hopes for Nature-Based Tourism in Jamaica
Before leaving Jamaica, several weeks ago, I had an opportunity to hike through a portion of the St. Ann’s Forest Reserve near Oche Rios in the company of two men from the Hills United Development Organization (HUDO). This organization represents the interests of several tiny rural communities in the region. The two men were anxious to show me the area they hoped to develop as a nature trail with an interpretive/visitor centre.
Montego Bay Marine Park
In my previous blog, I wrote about the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park and the valiant efforts of the Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust to protect and conserve them. In this blog, I’d like to profile Montego Bay Marine Park and the remarkable group of volunteers who have dedicated themselves to its protection and restoration.
Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park of Jamaica
Yesterday was an awesome day! With the business meetings associated with the biodiversity curriculum project completed, I spent the day exploring the Hollywell Recreation Area within the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park with Susan Otoukon, executive director of the Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust, the ngo charged with the responsibility of managing this protected area.
Glimpses of St. Lucia
As I write this, waves slam against the sand beach just metres from my hotel room in the wake of a tropical storm that passed over Barbados on its way towards St. Lucia, where I was just the day before. I’m in the Caribbean to hold meetings related to the contract that EKOS won from the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States to re-vamp high school curriculum to include biodiversity themes.
Best Summer Vacation Yet!
I’ve just returned to Victoria from a nearly seven week long vacation. Over the course of this time, my wife and I visited numerous parks, protected areas and historic sites throughout Western Canada. Our travels took us to Waterton Lakes National Park, Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, Cypress Hills Provincial Park, Fort Walsh National Historic Site, Grasslands National Park, Riding Mountain National Park, Rushing River Provincial Park, Great Sandhills Special Management Area, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Royal Tyrrell Museum, Jasper National Park, Banff National Park and, finally, Kootenay National Park. In nearly every park or site, we camped, hiked and photographed. Between us, I think we returned with nearly 5,000 images!
Re-Creation on Discovery Island: A Homage to A Flock of Canada Geese
Just got back from three days of rest and relaxation spent camping on and kayaking around Discovery and Chatham Islands which lie about an hour’s paddle off Cattle Point here in Victoria. They are an essential place for re-creation for both my wife and I. The waters of Baynes Channel and Plumper Passage can be very tricky, mostly on account of currents and wind, and accordingly are classed as requiring intermediate skills. Perhaps it is this challenge that explains why so many times we find the campground there empty or very nearly empty.
Sid Marty Does It Again with "The Black Grizzly of Whiskey Creek."
While in Calgary for the Canadian Parks For Tomorrow conference, I and some of the other attendees had the great pleasure of catching Sid Marty reading from his most recent book “The Black Grizzly of Whiskey Creek.”
For those of you who aren’t familiar with Marty’s writings, He is the author of such Canadian conservation classics as “Men for the Mountains,” “A Grand and Fabulous Notion,” “Leaning on the Win,” and “Switchbacks.” He is also an acclaimed cowboy poet and folk singer.
Why did the Long-Toed Salamander cross the road?
The answer to this riddle wasn’t very difficult for Parks Canada staff at Waterton Lakes National Park in southwestern Alberta, but solving the high mortality associated with the journey was. This tiny amphibian wasn’t going to change it’s route, so something innovative had to be done.
Solar collector to save the world
This is a fascinating article on a technology that sounds like it may really offer a genuine alternative energy source. All (realistic) articles I have read up to this point on alternative energy sources (including nuclear) do not have such positive outlooks.
I’ve been following this topic for a long time and can’t help but wonder why this technology has not received more coverage. I hope that changes now.
Clayoquot Sound
At the moment, I’m reclining in a makeshift bed that Di and I assembled from the furniture provided at this oceanside establishment just a couple of kilometers south of Tofino, on Vancouver Island’s outer coast. Through the open door to the patio I hear the ocean’s rhythmic sighs as it collides with the beach lies between the surf and our cabin.