Statia Conservation Project Volunteer Feedback

 

- I really enjoyed it. Conservation is close to my heart, as I travel & seeing the world `off the beaten track`, & this combined them both pretty well I thought. I`d just quit my job of  seven years in order to become a volunteer, & wanted the trip to get my mind off of working in an office, & also get fit & healthy. It achieved both, I am currently looking for further conservation work around the world as a result of this trip, including contacting STENAPA about going back for 6 months as an intern, I`ve been bitten by the `golden rock` bug! I also lost about a stone in weight & gave up smoking through being there, so it was very much a successful trip for me!

 

2) your relationship between you, the manager, interns, the volunteers & the locals

- I think it really worked. I got on well with pretty much everyone in all aspects, I didn`t really spend much time with some of the STENAPA staff such as the marine park rangers etc as I didn`t generally come across them in the course of my day. I think everyone got on really well though. There was the odd minor dispute between individuals, but I believe when you`re living together 24/7, you`re always going to get. None of it was major though, I think considering the close proximity we were living in we did very well! And speaking for myself I got on really well with everyone, staff, locals & in particular my fellow volunteers & the interns, which were a surrogate family to me!

 

3) Practical day to day – your experience camping in the botanical garden, living conditions, food, free time activities, the work involved etc

- Camping was good. To be honest, prior to this, my experience of camping stretched to a period in the Sea Scouts, & going to rock festivals. Had absolutely no problems though, the campsite was fine, my tent was fine apart from having a visit from a land crab, the sort of thing that could happen to anyone. It was also nice to have the pavilion & especially the hammocks available to us, as the heat in my tent was unbearable after about 6.30am. Food was all fine, apart from the huge cost of fruit & vegetables. The idea of communal cooking during the week with each person looking after their own needs on the weekend worked very well, & saved us all money. It taught me a lot as well, i`ve only ever cooked for one or two people, so to be thrown into the deep end with budgetary constraints & differing dietary requirements was quite a challenge, & being able to cook for 10 people without killing them is definitely a new string to my bow!
- My free time was well spent, it was nice to be not too structured for the afternoons etc, but I had to plan well in order to have a truck available when wanting to go to the beach or to the shops etc, & certainly took some good planning & negotiating skills! I was also lucky enough to have a couple of like minded individuals with me who wanted to utilise their free time as much as possible, so had no problem getting a partner for a quill hike, snorkelling in corre corre bay etc.

- The work involved was good, I think the difficulty & amount of effort required is set just about right for the trip, its not backbreaking if you`re fit & healthy, but with the climate & nature of the work you do have to put a lot of effort in which was good. I thought on the whole it was really well organised also, with quality training in what was required, & decent supervision with safety in mind which was a key thing.

 

4) Do you feel you have benefited from this experience?

- Yes, in many ways. I`ve learned lots of new skills, experienced the real Caribbean culture pretty much as a resident rather than a tourist, made loads of new friends, & also as I mentioned before, I lost a lot of weight, became much healthier & have a much sunnier outlook on life, now that i`ve seen how nice it can be! My friends here are extremely jealous of each story I tell them of my trip.

 

5) Do you feel you were well prepared for the project?

- Pretty much, yes. I think the Working abroad handouts were very good, they covered everything we needed to know, & that, coupled with my own research of the island was certainly enough.

 

6) Did you think the project cost was reasonable or not? What about personal spending throughout the project?

- In hindsight, I think the project was very reasonable & represented very good value for money, the best i`ve seen whilst looking for a further similar trip! I would certainly recommend it to anyone, & may also invest in going back for a couple of months as a volunteer myself in the future. My personal spending was a lot less than I expected for a trip also, which was a really nice surprise, going out on the weekend was a lot cheaper, combined with the `kitty` idea for everyone chipping in to buy food for the week, meant that I spent a lot less than I thought

 

7) Are there any recommendations that you can give to the next group of volunteers?

- Yes. Most importantly, do research. Read all the Working abroad info thoroughly & supplement it with a visit to the Stenapa website, if nothing else, so that you fully know what you`re letting yourself in for. Try & travel as light as possible within reason & don`t take anything in the way of clothes that you are desperate to bring back with you. The four most important things I would say to take would be a hard wearing pair of gloves, a decent headtorch for finding your tent at night, a decent insect repellent & a large, robust container for drinking water for use while working, one litre minimum, but I would recommend at least 2 litres. Try & contact Stenapa prior to attendance in order to find the local conditions on the ground & anything that may particularly be required or definitely not required as the case may be ( I brought a first aid kit with loads of stuff that there was already a lot of in the intern house, yet the house was crying out for some drying up cloths & cleaning utensils for the kitchen which could not easily be found on Statia, which I could’ve easily taken with me). Take something to keep you occupied, ipod, books, DVD`s etc. Be prepared for it to be hot, prepared to sweat & prepared to put your back into it, but to be rewarded accordingly!
 

 

 

1. Your general feeling about the project and the work carried out.

I loved the project! I learnt so much about conservation, an area I knew nothing much about before my Statia Visit. The work was varied & the free time given to the volunteers was very generous.

2. Your relationship between you, the manager, interns, the volunteers and the locals?

Nicole's welcome was a very warm one. She explained the projects objectives, aims, hopes & expectations clearly. Carlton the gardener taught me so much about tropical gardening and the way of life on Statia- he was one of a kind. The 4 Interns were from different countries to myself and that was brilliant as I got to learn about the ways of life in those countries too. Try their special dishes etc! The Locals were amazing. Welcomed us with open arms- I felt extremely safe everywhere i went by myself.

3. Statia - the island, the environment, sea, climate, town etc - did you like it?

Statia is truely a gem of a place. Like nowhere I've ever been to before. Beautiful scenery, incredible views from the Bovan. You really have to see it to believe it. The climate was perfect for me- I love the heat! When it rained...it rained! But it dried up quick enough. The Town had the basics and the bars were on fire at night especially during Statia week! Its so laid back there. For me, Being out there, was out of this world! I miss that place so much! I love Statia!

 

4. Practical day to day - your experience camping in the Botanical garden, living conditions, food, free time activities, the work involved etc.

Camping was better than expected- great fun!, Always keep your mozi net up, to stop unwanted bugs n stuff entering your sleeping quarters! A good sturdy tent is needed as the wind and rain did come and batter us once in a while (the best fun!) The living conditions were made out to sound worse than what they were, which I think is a good idea. It was basic but we had everything we needed - just about. The Weekly cooking system was briiliant cheap idea. We ate like Kings and queens! Free time was very generous- we could island hop on the weekends, The work was so different to what I do for a living. I learnt a load of manual skills. Enjoyed every minute of it all.

 

5. Do you feel that you have benefited from this experience?

Yes! It was the best trip I've ever had. Lucky for me I got along with everyone. I really felt like I was doing something worth while, especially when we had visitors to the Botan, You would show them around and feel so proud of your work. Ive met people I hope to stay in contact with and learnt about another culture and a way of life I love.

 

6. Do you feel that you were well prepared for the project?

All the info Vicky gave me to start with was spot on! I arrived on Statia with just about everything, but I wish I had taken more T-shirts- I found hauling my tent out there difficult because of the flight weight restrictions - I couldnt pack everything. But I didnt need for anything -the stuff I didnt take I had help finding on the island and I bought it there.

 

7. Did you think the project cost was reasonable or not? What about personal spending during the project?

I think the Statia Project was very reasonable. Ive searched for other projects inthe Carribean and cant find anything else like it for roughly the same price. Food and drinks were incredibly cheap. I spent about £250.00 exta in 2 months. I thought that was good going, with all the trips away included!

8. Are there any recommendations that you can give to the next group of volunteers?

Take more T- shirts than you think you need, take good care of yourself when travelling on the backs of trucks. take waterproof bags for cameras, valuables etc- take a load of music out there to listen to. A good pair of hiking boots is a must. Play Pool at Chocolates Bar!

 

Hi Vicky,  I had a great time thankyou, and am certainly glad I went.  Many Thanks!  Peter 

 

- Your general feeling about the project and the work carried out.

The project was certainly worthwhile, you could see the appreciation of the locals and the tourists of the work we did.     

 

- Your relationship between you, the manager, interns, the volunteers and the locals?  

 I thought we had a really good volunteer group, 5 Brits and a Canadian we all got on really well.  6 was a good number to have.  I was the youngest at 22, and the eldest 39, but despite the age range everyone got on.    Mike & Erin both Kiwis were great as interns, really knew what they were doing.  The STENAPA staff were all quite freindly & approachable.  Carlton the gardener was fantastic, he was the boss in the daytime working at the botanical garden, a real character.  One rainy day, he made a goat curry!!! Tasted to be believed, but very good. The locals were quite freindly, having to wave at everyone was quite strange.  Would never do that in the UK.   Some real characters on the island.  

 

- Statia - the island, the environment, sea, climate, town etc - did you like it?

Statia was completely different to anything I had experienced before.  I went in january so it was ‘Winter’.  Just about not too hot for me.  The sea was lovely, I did as much snorkelling as I could, saw lots of cool stuff. Turtles, Rays, eels, barracuda…  Scuba diving wasn’t my thing especially with the sharks! Am told they're harmless though.    You could get most things from the supermarkets, and the fresh bread from bakery was good.  There are banks, plenty of bars to choose from & Internet cafe.  Only went in to the café long enough to send the odd message home.  Happy Hour Wednesday at the Old Gin house was the best night out for meeting locals/tourists.

     

- Practical day to day - your experience camping in the Botanical garden, living conditions, food, free time activities, the work involved etc. 

This was first time had done any camping.  Couldn’t stay in bed after 8 am, as too hot in the tents.  Food arrangements worked out fine, sharing the cooking and 1 or 2 meals out a week.  Could make a decent meal for all for about 8 pound a day. The showers were cold, but were refreshing in the afternoon.  Most days I went in the warm sea, which was enough to get by.  Only working till lunch was good.  A siesta was often required before heading to the sea.  I found it just great sitting on the beach or the cliffs soaking up the sun.  The work wasn’t too strenuous.  Trail building was hard, but quite rewarding to see an end product. 

 

- Do you feel that you have benefited from this experience?  

This was my first trip away by myself so I think it was a good starting point.  Its good to get a bit of independence back and experience a totally different lifestyle.  Met some interesting people and got on really well with the other volunteers.  It was good to get away and get a fresh perspective on life.

  

- Do you feel that you were well prepared for the project?

I was reasonably fit before I went, which helped working in the heat.  I felt much better physically afterward being outside all the time.  The first time up the Quill was tough but worth the effort for the views.  Not stayed in a tent before, but was ok.  Best to have a 3 man tent, as enough space to spread out.  A good mattress is essential though.

 

- Did you think the project cost was reasonable or not? What about personal spending during the project?   

On the whole the cost was reasonable.  Can just about stay within your food budget $300 month.  Can do scuba diving fairly cheap.  The trip to St Kitts was most expensive, but after living in a tent, a nice hotel ( and hot shower) was welcome.  

 

- Are there any recommendations that you can give to the next group of volunteers?

Camping won’t be for everyone.   The town and people are very different, but if you go with an open mind, you will get on just fine. The speedboat trip is a must. But hang on tight!! Also on the flight to Statia, take the plane that calls at Saba. The runway & landing has to be seen to be believed!

 

-Your general feeling about the project and the work carried out.

In general overall project was excellent and it all ran very smoothly right from day one. The work we carried out was very good especially the trail maintenance.  You could really see an end product at the end of the mornings work.

 

- Your relationship between you, the manager, interns, the volunteers and the locals?

My immediate reactions when meeting the STENAPA staff was how nice and welcoming they all were. Nicole (Project Manager) was really easy going and very approachable had there been any problems or queries. She really made us feel as if we were part of STENAPA rather than an outside short-term group of volunteers.  The interns managed to get the balance just right. They managed to still gain a bit of respect since they were the ones coordinating our work, but then they have all become great friends.  It was said and I noticed it as well, how us all 7 volunteers gelled right from the start. I don't think there were any arguments at all ! I feel that we were all there to support each other, and at the end of the day we were all sad to part each other, however am sure we are all going to stay in contact.   The locals... GREAT, FRIENDLY PEOPLE!! Need i say anymore! We had our own group of locals that always appeared on our nights out. They were lovely.

 

- Positive points: how friendly and welcoming everyone was on the entire island, the correct balance between work time and play time! The fact we were living in the botantical gardens.

 

- Negative points: the fact we had to leave!

 

- Practical day to day - your experience camping in the Botanical garden, living conditions, food, free time activities, the work involved etc.

Camping was absolutely fine, and times we even said ' am just going upstairs to my room'!! It did however get so so so hot during the day in your tent, so we tried to bring everything we needed for the day in the morning. For food we had an overall group kitty where each night (sun-thurs) there would be two of us cooking for the whole. This was done on a rota basis. I suggest to bring packs of cards and music for times in the evening at the pavilion. The afternoon always saw us at the beach, diving (6 of us got our open water diver- very worthwhile!) in the Old Gin House (!) or doing a spot of interneting or shopping at Duggins Supermarket!

 

- Do you feel that you have benefited from this experience?

I feel I have actually benefited from this experience, even though it was only for two months. It has developed skills such as team-work and looking out for each other and learning to live with 10 other people and seeing them practically 24/7! I have learnt quite a few practical skills too such as building steps, digging trenches,  and of course cooking for 11 people!

 

- Are there any recommendations that you can give to the next group of volunteers?

When it says to bring old clothes.. really really do bring old clothes for working in. They seriously get ruined especially since you hand wash them ! One thing about tents.. keep your mosi net zipped up during the day to avoid unwanted bugs and land crabs from entering your tent! Bring packs of cards and music for the evenings at the gardens and lots of other entertainments....Lastly, really try to mix with the locals... you are then treated as one yourself.

 

 

First, I have to say that I had an excellent time on Statia and I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the project. Indeed, I feel that I had a far better time than I could have hoped for!

 

I felt that generally relations between the manager, interns and volunteers was good and very open. The weekly meeting with the manager helped to clarify any areas of uncertainty and provided a good opportunity for us to ask any questions/raise any issues we had. With regard to the locals- I found that the island was an extremely friendly place- like nowhere I have been before!  I found the work very enjoyable, challenging and rewarding; it was very satisfying to see the difference that was made from just one mornings work in the garden for example, (especially as there was just 4 volunteers). I also liked the fact that we given the time and the freedom to work on independent projects in the garden. I appreciated that freedom and felt that it was important as we were the ones who could see the day to day situation in the garden and could see what needed doing. Additionally, for me one of the biggest positives points about Statia was the diving- it was excellent!

 

I found the living conditions, food etc.....to be good- better than I was anticipating. I thought the food was particularly excellent and that the kitty system was very effectively for keeping food costs as economical as possible. The free time was much appreciated- indeed, it seemed that we had an ample amount of it!- and it was good chance to do lots of diving!

 

Personally I feel that I have benefited from the project- from living closely with a small group of people, in basic conditions for 2 months- a totally new and unique experience, like nothing I have done before. I also feel that I learnt a lot- particularly in the garden. It has also encouraged me to look into doing more, similar work in the future.

 

I felt that I was totally prepared for the project- the list of suggested items to bring was very comprehensive and I cannot think of anything that I did not bring but wish that I had. I would recommend that people bring durable work gloves however. My first pair lasted less than 2 weeks and I really appreciated having my second (leather) pair!

 

If I had to make any recommendations to any other volunteers- first, I would recommend anyone to do it! I would also say to people to start to do things as soon as they get there- for example, organise any trips to other islands that they want to do- time seems to go so fast!

 

Many thanks for your help in organising the project for me!

 

 

Statia Conservation Project Volunteer 7 July-3 September 2004 - Aline Frossard, a biology student from Switzerland writes about her experience volunteering on Statia:

 

"My general feeling about this project is very positive. These two months passing on Statia was a really great experience.  I met some nice locals too. Everybody on Statia is very cool and relax and it's very easy to come into contact with them.  Statia is a very small and quiet island. The views from this island is simply awesome. There isn't lot of beaches, but both (Carribbean and Atlantic side) are very nice and beautiful, with sand and warm sea water (31°C).  The 3 most positive points were:  the diving possibilities, the experience to live outside, in the nature and the turtle project. 

 

For me, the thing I improved the most is my English. After two months listening and speaking English all the time, I improved a lot. Everybody told me that I was speaking more fluently at the end of my stay.  I don't think this project needs a real preparation. You just need to really want an adventure and outside living conditions."

 

"Statia is a beautiful island but really isn't the stereotypical Caribbean paradise. There aren't the glorious white beaches, which we enjoyed in Anguilla, and for me this was a benefit. It hasn't suffered from mass tourism and I liked it for that. You see the Caribbean rather than it being another American outpost like Philipsburg. The town is a bit ramshackle in places but everything you need is there and in fact I was shocked by how developed it is. The sea is perfect. Clear, warm, calm and with the most fantastic marine life you could ever hope to see. The climate was great while we were there, apart from one weekend of torrential rain, but being a Mancunian it seemed like a shower! I didn't realise rain could stop! In short I loved Statia and would go back tomorrow."

 

Statia Conservation Project Volunteers 3 February-31 March 2003 - Some extracts from Luke Reynolds from the UK on the general experience on Statia:

"In my opinion the work carried out was the best bit for me as working on the Quill is truly amazing and very rewarding when you see what you are actually achieving. Our supervisor in the Quill was very supportive and let us be creative. You were not told what to do, you were given options of what you could do. The important thing was that you were allowed to use your own ideas.

 

Our relationship with everyone was very good. The majority of locals enjoyed us being there and all the local bars were always extremely kind to us. One even put us on the radio. Also the dive shop  'Dive Statia' played a very important part in my time there as they were extremely friendly and as a few of us spent a lot of time there, I recommend this place very highly for future volunteers.

Statia is a beautiful Island with many attractions. The sea is beautifully clear and diving is a must. A few of us were lucky because we saw the five big fish, sharks, moray eel, seahorses, stingray and turtles. The climate is also amazing. It is just at the right temperature without being too hot although I was burnt a bit but that was my fault. The town is also very fascinating. You could walk around there all day and with there being so many different restaurants and bars to visit you would never get bored.

 

I am still very young and maybe not overly confident so doing something like this was very important.  Just saying that I am now a rescue diver is enough for me but when I think I have been working on volcanoes, swimming with sharks, meeting new people and then living with them for two months without one single argument. Although I have come back home missing Statia a lot.  I am now itching to get back out of England which goes to show how much I enjoyed my time. I have actually been accepted for a job in Crete which Kaspar said he had done a couple of years ago. So I'm on the up thanks to you and Statia.

 

(Are there any recommendations that you can give to the next group of volunteers?)

Just to enjoy every minute, be open to the manager about everything, buy Gershon (Assistant Manager) some tequila and go diving with Nic and Caroline, they are legends. Volunteers should also do a food kitty which I am sure you are aware of as this saves a lot of money and gets the group working together.  Thanks so much Vicky for all you have done, I am extremely grateful and hopefully if you will let me I would love to do another project with WorkingAbroad in the future."

 

"Basically I had a wicked time...I was with a really cool group there were 7 of us and we had 3 English, 1 Irish, 1 Swiss, 1 Belgian and 1 Canadian - the ages being 19,19, 23, 33, 27, 26, 38 respectively.

 

There will not only be you 8 WorkingAbroad people but 3 interns so it is quite a nice big group.  The people who work at the Marine Park (marine park manager, ranger, secretary etc) are also really cool and you will find yourself socialising with all of these people but especially with the people you are living with at the botanical gardens.  There is a medical school and so you will see a lot of American students around and will probably socialise with them.  As for the locals, they are so friendly it might be a bit of a shock at first - basically it is considered rude if you don't say hello to everyone you meet - but you'll get used to it.

 

As for the work, I know you will be doing different work from me because we were building the trail that goes down into the volcanic crater, which we basically completed but needs maintenance etc but the work was physically tiring.  We worked Mon-Wed and every other Sun in the crater and then worked in the Botanical Garden under the supervision of the Botan intern on Thursdays.  This meant we had Fri, Sat and every other Sunday off.  Because of the sun you wake up about 6-6.30 and we started work about 7.30 because we had to hike up the volcano before we even started.  We finished work at about 1pm and then went to the marine park to jump in the sea and cool off, we then made a trip to the store and then went home (remember with only one truck you need good logistics for 8 people!).  We got back at about 4pm, sat around chatting until dinner then probably went to sleep about 10pm because we were knackered (we had a rota and kitty system which meant we only had to wash up and cook once a week and we got a cooked meal every night (Mon-Thurs) and I can assure you that you will probably be urged to do the same by the interns).  The weekends were another story, we had quite a few cocktail nights and parties at the Botan inviting the med students along and certain bars turn into clubs so you can carry on in town until 4.

 

As for your spare time, one weekend you'll go to St Kitts, the neighbouring island which was a crazy, crazy couple of days (there is a beach where monkeys will come up and steal your alcohol and then run up a tree and get pissed...enough said).  I also recommend getting a group and going over to Saba for 1-2 days because it is really beautiful.  The extra trip will cost you about $50 but its worth it (the St Kitts trip is free).  Gadget, the marine park ranger will drive you over.

 

Also I can't recommend diving enough.  Not only the thrill of it but Statia is renowned for being one of the best diving areas in the world.  I saw turtles, sharks, stingray, seahorse, squid, octopus, barracuda, moray eels, lobsters just to name the cool ones!  And it's cheap.  Being volunteers we get a discount which means the open water diving qualification cost $200.  It's $400 in the US!!"

 

"We started doing turtle watch after people found tracks on the beach. That means that groups of four take turns to walk the beach looking for tracks. I was doing it last night and on the 2am-4am shift me and Liz were doing the walk and saw some new tracks that looked fairly fresh. I thought that they had been there a while but Liz had a look around and found a massive Leatherback Turtle who had just finished laying her eggs. We were meant to tag it so we radioed back and then we went close in and the thing started hissing at me and hit Liz's leg (no damage) with its back leg. By that time everyone else had got to the beach and we just watched it crawl back to the ocean. And the best thing of all is it was a real nest, so with any luck we may even get to see baby turtles!! And then to top it all off we found out that me and Liz were the first ever documented people to see a leatherback on the island!!!  That is just one of the amazing things that happens round these parts.  I'll be sure to let you know if anything else fantastic happens.  Cheers, Adam"

 

 

 

"The crater trail project was a really new experience for me; I've never been involved in building something practical before, certainly not something so big. It was a great feeling when we would see hikers on the mountain, and they would say 'good job' or even 'thank you.' The work was physically challenging, but rewarding.

 

Statia is place that the people I've talked to either love or hate. You have to be prepared for a wholly different way of life, particularly living in a tent on the wrong side of the mountain from town. Personally, I loved it. It's a very beautiful island, and the whole atmosphere and way of life is relaxed and laid-back. There isn't a huge tourist industry, and so there are no McDonalds, no big chain stores, and no cruise ships stop there. There's great hiking, diving, snorkelling, or just sitting out on the pier in the sun; and the night life is pretty good too, as long as you're not looking for multiplex cinemas or expensive clubs. So I can see that some people would find it boring, but I'd say you just have to be open-minded.

 

The Botan is actually pretty well kitted out, certainly compared to what I was expecting. The kitchen is almost fully equipped - plates, cutlery, gas cooker, loads of cooking pots and pans, even a small somewhat unreliable fridge. There's a proper toilet (now with a seat!), shower, recently a kitchen sink. The main living space is the pavilion, which has tables and chairs, and a hammock. There's even enough electricity (solar powered) to have lights at night and stereo. The food situation is pretty good; there's a kitty system, which means each night 2 people cook, and the 2 who are cooking tomorrow wash up today. That ran for as many nights a week as we had pairs to cover. The days were very well structured; we worked in the morning, and had the afternoon off; normally we went into town, so people who wanted shopped, used the internet, went swimming down at the pier, went diving; then headed back to the Botan.

 

I feel I definitely benefitted from the whole trip; I've gained new skills, met new people, and got a lot of what are generally called 'life experiences'.

 

Essential gear: hiking boots, work gloves, day-pack type rucksack, head-torch, sunblock, sleeping mat or airbed, pillow. Don't economise on space with things like the airbed - you're going to be living in a tent for 2 months. If you plan on taking a lot of photos, bring a lot of film - it's expensive out there. And come with an open mind."

 

 

 

"The Statia Conservation Project is governed by STENAPA (St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation) - this is a non profit making organisation which is funded solely by donations and grants. Without our help, STENAPA would not be able to maintain main areas of the island which we have been working on.  The main aims were to complete the crater trail down into the Quill (volcano), which the first group had started, carry on with phase one of the botanical garden, and monitor, tag and protect sea turtles. The plan was to have 4 volunteers in the garden and then 4 up the quill for one month and then after a month we would swap round. The work in the Quill and the botanical garden started at around 7-8 in the mornings and ended around 1-2 in the afternoons.

 

The work in the botanical garden consisted of levelling the paths in order for wood chips to be placed there, and general weeding. The path project was a big achievement for us as it took a lot of team work and effort to finally accomplish it.  I was very proud of the work that everybody put in - the work was manual and in very hot conditions but the constant breeze was a god send.  We also lived at the botanical garden and I feel I should mention the views from where we were -we looked out onto miles and miles of ocean and we had a brilliant view of St. Kitts.

 

Our free time consisted of snorkelling and scuba diving. I am very proud to say that I was a part of a team that helped the local children to snorkel. I think that the new manager, Nicole is going to be very beneficial to STENAPA, and is going to make big changes to improve to the National Parks in every respect. My only recommendation would be is to go with an open mind and be prepared for the time of your life -.this is a once in a lifetime experience, I am definitely now going to take part in similar projects as this was absolutely perfect for me."

 

 

Return to the Statia Conservation Project page