In commemoration of World Wildlife Day, this year we’d like to take the opportunity to underscore RLB’s value, ‘tomorrow’, which indicates we’re here to make a long lasting positive impact on our communities and our planet. To demonstrate how we promote our values through action, we’re highlighting an employee that has shown exceptional commitment in the sustainability space: Colette McDermott, Marketing Specialist in the RLB Caribbean office located in Saint Lucia.
Colette is the Vice Chair of the Council of the Saint Lucia National Trust (SLNT). As a passionate leader in sustainability, she supports the work of the SNLT to conserve the natural and built heritage of Saint Lucia.
The SLNT is establishing a mainland island wildlife reserve at Anse La Liberté, a 133-acre space on island’s west coast. The reserve is aimed at preserving a unique landscape of ridges, valleys, dry scrub forest, and rainforest and the unique wildlife to which it is home.
Securing long-term funding is key to the reserve’s success. To achieve this, multiple strategies are in place:
- Targeting Grant funding from organizations such as Fauna and Flora International
- Participating in a wider Sustainable Financing for Sustainable NGOs Project, also supported by Fauna and Flora International
- Working with a consultant to take a holistic value chain approach to the development of a sustainable business model for the organization
- Attracting researchers, and developing nature-based tourism & eco-businesses to support conservation efforts sustainably