I missed my best opportunity to address the issues involved in the clearing of land when that thread was running but have one thing to add in case anyone is interested in a different way. There is a man named Robbie Clarke who lives in the Billy's Bay area who is doing what he calls under brushing. He goes over the land cutting all the brushy bush but leaves all the trees over a certain size (your choice). After this you get to walk your land without fighting it and can get a better feel for how you want to landscape it before you cut any more trees. He also knows about sea turtles and so is good at working on the seaside. His number is 422-7785. As with all jobs, make it clear how much you want done and agree on a price before you start.
Treasure Beach has lost much of its forest cover and is loosing more all the time. I would love to see people take a little more time before they cut down all the trees like fowl berry trees which provide food for many bird species. If we leave only Lignum Vitae what will the birds eat and where will they all live?

Thank you for your message! It is well received and it would great a benefit to teach others via a workshop, mentor program and on the job training that Mr Clarks could conduct. How can I help?

I agree...perhaps a Women's Group workshop?

I have struggled with this issue. If you ask someone to cut brush on your property you tend to come back to find totally bare ground with all the trees gone. I was pleased to find someone from the TB area who was willing to do it a different way with a different goal in mind. That is why I posted this information...so others could contact Robbie and therefore have another option. Once conservation starts to pay, the practice will spread. If you put on a workshop, what would be your goal?

I think a workshop is a great idea. We could invite the men in the community who are caretakers or do yard work for a living. It would be great to have Robbie show them the right way to clear land.

Hey Roger, what do you think of spending a few hours showing caretakers a few tips on actual landscaping and know what to plant where, fertilizing organically, etc.

Great idea Yes!

True, true. Can't hurt to spread the word.

The unigue and beautiful treasure that is Treasure Beach Jamaica should be protected for the jewel that it is...land and sea and air. To clear the land with minimal impact on our precious resources and environment is important for all. Be good stewarts .

Trying to convince someone from Treasure Beach not to cut down the beautiful acacia (casha) trees is like beating your head against a wall. No matter what you say or explain they are convinced that it 'draws the heat'. When they are allowed to reach maturity they are spectacular trees. I can't stand to see this horrific mutilation of the land. Everything from cactuses to casha are just completely destroyed. If you can't eat it, down it comes. When visitors ask me why they do this, there is no explanation that I can give them that can possibly make any sense.

Thanks Sally and Roger.

Yes, please spread the word, best by demonstration.

The Tourist Board is supposed to be preparing environmental guidelines for The Greater Treasure Beach Development Area. Note development=cleaning.

A weekend job for a couple of 6th formers is proving difficult?

We are not following the path of sustainable ecological development but that of economic development, any connected entity of the GOJ may have a challenge when the laws of capital collide with the laws of nature.

The thanks really should go to Robbie. Someone bought a nice piece of land out near Billy's Bay that happened to have one of the best sea turtle nesting beaches in our area. Of course one of the first things they started was clearing the land. Robbie went over and talked them into leaving some of the larger sea grapes in the area of the best nesting location and helped them do a little bit less intensive job on the rest. There is still an occasional turtle who comes up and circles the gazebo looking for her favorite nesting spot but since there is still some good spots in the area, she soon looks and finds another good spot close by. If everyone intensively cleared their seaside land, there would be no place else for her to look. The majority of the nesting areas have been cleared already but some could be brought back by planting trees back and allowing some of the bush to grow up too. Thank you Robbie

Education !!!!!
Is the way to defeat "superstition" and "short sightedness"
Emptiness---defeats "greed"
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

Thanks to Robbie! If any workshop, let know, if any help needed, let know too... Too happy to help to this goal: inform on the importance to keep trees, to keep the soil alive (protection against sun (drought and heat), against wind erosion, fertilization by the leafs), to keep birds and others animals around... Cutting trees is one of the first factor toward desertification.
Now that the rain just come back, you can see really good how trees help to protect against heat and drought by the shadows (see greener circles under the trees).
It's not only cacha but all the "non fruit" trees which are systematically cut here around. Treasure beach must be one of the only place in Jamaica who have so few old and big trees, a pity... Continue to spread the word, explain, each time possible, we can change mentalities... Thanks to Robbie again...