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.”
Sandals Foundation
Where are the photos from the TOP of the observation platform to show us the VIEW??
Taking a much closer look that platform doesn’t look SAFE. You have no structural support or reinforcement. Who approved the design??
We all support these kind of efforts BUT more thought and expertise needs to be provided to build these kind if public structures. You have liability to consider regarding the safety of persons and children using this.
This object would have served observation better with several smaller landings to both spead out the load and distribute the viewing areas. That’s a really steep staircase and what is the weight load limit and person limit for that build? You have a tour group come and what is safe? It’s not always going to be just one ir two persons. Different heights of landings would also accommodate photography as you would be able to avoid persons being in the shots. Seems like very little thought and too much money went into the design. Just being high in the air doesn’t mean successful bird watching or photography. A real missed opportunity. Plus, been photographing all if Grenada 10 years and never heard of this site being promoted. Also, migratory birds? Look at what was destroyed at La Sagesse. Look at the mess if Mount Hartman. What a joke.
I could have done this for under $1000
It also looks unsafe!
$19k is material cost for small house. Outrageously disgusting. Grenadians have become so corrupted it’s not funny. Profiteering is a norm.
Who are you kidding $19,000 ec for that!!! Even on Grenada that small amount of wood should NEVER gave cost that much. This is a very poor observation platform for what you spent.