St. Lucia project among ten UN flagship initiatives recognized for restoring the natural world

A flagship project from St. Lucia aimed at scaling up ridge-to-reef restoration of unique ecosystems and tapping blue economic growth to help island communities rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic is among ten ground-breaking efforts from around the globe recognized by the United Nations.

The UN said the project classified as the “Small Island Developing States Restoration Drive,” focused on three small island developing states,, St. Lucia, Vanuatu, and Comoros.

It said the goals of the project include a reduction in pressures on coral reefs, which are vulnerable to storm damage, so that fish stocks can recover. Ecosystems under restoration also include seagrass beds, mangroves and forests.

“As well as creating a “toolbox” of solutions for sustainable island development, this flagship aims to amplify the voice of island nations facing rising sea levels and intensifying storms as a result of climate change,” the UN added.