The Saint Lucia National Conservation Trust Fund officially launched its new website on May 28.

Incorporated in 2016, the Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund (SLUNCF) is dedicated to the conservation, restoration, and effective management of Saint Lucia’s biodiversity and natural resources. The mandate of the SLUNCF is not only to manage Caribbean Biodiversity Funds but also to generate additional sustainable funding to lend support to other key areas.

During the launch at the Pigeon Island National Landmark, the CEO of Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund, Dr. Vasantha Chase, said the fund has come a long way and that members are optimistic about the future of the fund.

“The Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund has been seven to eight years in the making,” she said. “It started with a project that focused on the sustainable financing and management of Eastern Caribbean Eco Systems. That project started in 2011 and ended in 2016.”

Dr. Chase said citizens should take pride in the knowledge that Saint Lucia has taken the lead in the establishment of a national conservation fund and an endowment fund.

“GEF Small Grants Program is also a partner. The program’s objectives are very similar to and aligned very closely with those of the Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund, and we hope that we could work very closely in a strategic alliance as we look at how we can co-finance and co-sponsor different projects that meet our collective goals and objectives.”

Dr. Chase added that with co-ordination and collaboration, strategic alliances can be formed in order to ensure that the funds are used effectively.”