A week ago, I found myself in the “middle of a muddle” having to choose between attending the premiere of the documentary, “Saint Lucia, The Wild Side” and the opening of an exhibition featuring the art of an outrageously talented, boyhood friend, Kenneth “Scotty” Lawrence. Both events were scheduled to take place at the different venues, at the same time. I considered it a great pity that I was unable to be in two places at the same time.
Eventually, I decided to attend the film launch, reasoning that the exhibition would run for a few days. After an absorbing 2 hours, I left Caribbean Cinemas, having achieved the impossible: feeling even prouder to be a Saint Lucian.
The film “experience” provided a potent example of what can be achieved when faith, hope, trust and a sense of purpose, bind together to drive decisions regarding the future of our country and its people. Moreover, it seemed to confirm a divinely inspired alignment between the dreams and passions of Lyndon and Kendal John and the mandates of the Small Grants Programme of the Global Environment Facility (GEF/SGP). This programme, which is being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has assisted communities to respond to environmental and development challenges, improved livelihoods, reduced poverty, and promoted community-based innovation, capacity development, and empowerment.
Like all foresters, Lyndon John never saw a creature he could not love and wished to care for. Conservation continues to be his life’s purpose. While he lives for creation, creativity and the arts run like blood through Kendal’s veins. Thus, the film is a manifestation of brotherly love and the brothers’ innate love for things natural.
As a member of the National Council of the GEG/SGP, I recalled the unbridled excitement with which the Local Coordinator, Giles Romulus, presented the film project to the Council. A year later, that excitement was still there, when he shared with the Council the challenges faced by the John brothers, and their pleas for more time and funding to complete the venture.
The credits confirmed that the film was curated by Saint Lucians for Saint Lucians and for the world. The producers received enthusiastic support from a wide cast of committed professionals in various fields, including Dale Elliott of “Untold Stories” fame, a clutch of foresters from the Ministry of Agriculture, and Chris Kessell, who provided stunning drone footage. Impressively, AI technology was used to reengineer aged footage.
Though proud of the indigenous character of the production, I reminded myself that conservation has no nationality, and that Mother Nature has birthed countless apostles who roam the world preaching against the ruin of valuable, but fragile and finite natural resources. In this regard, I recalled with gratitude, the timely and timeless contributions of expatriate, conservation giants of Maria Grech, Yves Renard, Jim Sparks, Pat Charles, Paul Butler and Nick Troubetskoy. In many unspoken ways, the film was a powerful tribute to their legacy and that of local giants, Gabriel “Coco” Charles, Robert Devaux, Gregor Williams, Sir Julian Hunte, and Anita James, among others. It was fitting that the local executing agency for the venture was the National Research and Development Foundation (NRDF) which was founded by Pat Charles.
The documentary offered an eclectic blend of history, geography, biology and botany. Viewers learned about the feeding habits of the boa constrictor, which feeds only when hungry. Many in the audience were impressed to learn that male and female partners of our national bird, Amazona Versicolor, remain faithful to each other for life. There was palpable sympathy for indigenous species of iguana and Orio, whose existence is threatened by invasive species introduced by settlers from foreign lands. We were touched to learn that the parents of some bird species share responsibility for birthing and feeding their offspring.
Also, it was intriguing to learn of some of the apt nicknames given to various wildlife. Practically all species that were featured had been given nicknames that appeared to have been inspired by the features of the creatures. Thus, the boa is called the “tete chien” because its head resembles that of a dog; the fer de lance probably got its name because of its mean-looking fangs and its vicious attack modes; and the sikwiyé because of its unique chirping sound.
The film also raised some mysteries. For example, why is the possum the only creature that can survive bites from venomous snakes?
My hope is that the film will help to dispel the myth that conservation retards development. Progressive societies have long been integrating biodiversity considerations into decision-making. Saint Lucia has not been as progressive as it could be. There have been initiatives that have yielded positive results. Thanks to the efforts of Paul Butler, Maria Grech and Coco Charles, our national bird returned to us, virtually from the precipice of extinction. The Soufriere Marine Management Area (SMMA) has helped to protect priceless submarine assets in waters near the Pitons. UNESCO World Heritage has given us a framework for protecting the flora and fauna within the Piton Management Area. Yet, sadly, these interventions have been too few, and too infrequent. In his pre-viewing comments, Giles Romulus lamented the fact that countless studies that were done over the past five decades lie buried in offices of indifference.
Hopefully, the film will: inform the design of more effective policies; make our citizens more aware of their patrimony and inspire them to join organizations like the National Trust; and motivate our Government and businesses to ensure triple bottom line benefits flow from their activities.
I salute and applaud the John brothers and ALL who contributed to this amazing documentary which has given us more compelling reasons to care and to ACT to protect our patrimony.
I continue to believe deep within my heart that our country has the talent pool to become a truly great nation that the rest of the world can gaze upon with admiration forever.