标签： Grenada

The Rotary Club of Grenada has announced the eagerly awaited return of ‘Christmas at the Point,’ set to take place from November 30, 2025, to January 4, 2026, at the stunning Quarantine Point Recreational Park. This annual event, which transforms the park into a festive wonderland of lights and joy, will feature an enhanced focus on global cuisine, reflecting Rotary International’s commitment to cultural exchange and community connection. The Monica Benoit Wonderland of Lights, a tribute to the event’s founder, will once again illuminate the park, adding to the holiday magic. This year, the food court will take center stage, offering a diverse array of international dishes, from Asian street food to European winter classics, West African stews, South American spices, and Caribbean favorites. Richard Strachan, the event’s chairman, emphasized that the culinary experience is designed to foster understanding and unity across cultures. Julia G Lawrence, President of the Rotary Club of Grenada, highlighted the event’s role in promoting peace through shared traditions. In addition to the food, the event will feature nightly movies, music, children’s activities, and curated vendors, making it Grenada’s premier holiday celebration. More details, including vending opportunities and programming, will be released in the coming weeks. For updates, follow the Rotary Club of Grenada on Instagram or visit their official website.

Sandra Ferguson has been celebrated as one of the 2025 Leaders of Rurality of the Americas by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Grenada. This prestigious accolade acknowledges her decades of transformative leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing rural development in Grenada. The award was formally presented by Gregory Delsol, Technical Specialist at IICA Grenada, during a ceremony held at the IICA Grenada Office on October 21, 2025, on behalf of IICA’s Director General Dr. Manuel Otero and Representative Gregg Rawlins. Delsol praised Ferguson for her exceptional service to rural communities, both individually and through her leadership of the Agency for Rural Transformation (ART). The Leaders of Rurality of the Americas Award, established in 2020, honors individuals whose innovation and dedication have significantly improved rural livelihoods, strengthened food security, and promoted sustainability across the Americas. Ferguson’s nomination recognizes her over 30 years of visionary work with ART, where she spearheaded initiatives that expanded access to credit, enhanced technical support for farmers, and empowered women and youth in rural areas. Her advocacy has also driven national movements like “Grow What You Eat, Eat What You Grow” and “Eat Local. Eat Healthy,” fostering food sovereignty and nutrition awareness in Grenada. In her acceptance speech, Ferguson credited ART and its partners for the success of these initiatives, highlighting impactful projects such as the revitalization of Grenada’s beekeeping sector and community-based food security programs. Delsol expressed gratitude to IICA headquarters for endorsing the nomination and lauded Ferguson’s lifelong dedication to sustainable agricultural and rural development. Her recognition as a Leader of Rurality of the Americas underscores her commitment to building resilient communities and inspiring a more inclusive and sustainable future for Grenada and the Caribbean. Since its inception, the award has honored numerous individuals across Latin America and the Caribbean whose stories embody hope, perseverance, and the enduring spirit of rural life.

October marks Creole Heritage Month, culminating in International Creole Day on October 28, 2025. This year, the occasion serves as a poignant moment to honor the life and contributions of Dr. Marguerite-Joan Joseph, a remarkable figure who passed away last year. Dr. Joseph was a trailblazer in both the medical and cultural spheres, leaving an indelible mark on Grenada and beyond. As a medical doctor specializing in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, she significantly reduced maternal mortality rates during her tenure at Grenada’s General Hospital from 1992 to 2012. Beyond her medical achievements, Dr. Joseph was a passionate advocate for the revival of the French Creole language, known locally as Patois. She co-founded the Grenada Creole Society in 2009, dedicating herself to researching, documenting, and promoting the language. Her efforts included renovating a family home in Concord to serve as the Society’s headquarters, where she conducted workshops, classes, and cultural events. Dr. Joseph authored three books, including the groundbreaking “Un-Tying the Ancestors’ Tongue,” a comprehensive Patois grammar guide with an accompanying audiovisual tutorial. She also penned creole songs, including a Patois version of Grenada’s National Anthem. Her work aimed to integrate Patois into the national school curriculum, a vision she passionately pursued with the Ministry of Education. Dr. Joseph’s legacy continues to inspire, as her family and the Grenada Creole Society strive to uphold her mission of preserving and celebrating Grenada’s linguistic heritage.

Aquanauts Grenada has been honored as the overall winner of the 2025 Caribbean Coral Reef Tourism Stewardship Award, presented by the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) in collaboration with the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) and The Nature Conservancy. This prestigious accolade recognizes the dive operator’s exceptional contributions to reef conservation, community engagement, and sustainable tourism practices. Through innovative initiatives like Lionfish Bites & Beats and Jam & Jewellery Nights, Aquanauts Grenada has transformed the invasive lionfish problem into a platform for environmental education, reef protection, and youth empowerment. These programs fund the Aqua Rangers Youth Development Scholarship, providing local youth with hands-on training in marine stewardship while removing thousands of lionfish from Grenadian reefs. Tiffany Geer, Co-Founder of Aquanauts Grenada, expressed deep gratitude for the award, attributing the success to the dedication of staff, volunteers, and partners. The organization’s Roots-to-Reef tourism experience offers visitors a holistic exploration of Grenada’s coastal ecosystems, from rainforests to coral reefs, while emphasizing the importance of conservation. Aquanauts Grenada will accept the award at CHTA’s CHIEF Conference in Barbados on November 16. For more details, visit www.AquanautsGrenada.com or contact their management team via email.

Grenada is intensifying efforts to protect its national bird, the Grenada Dove (Leptotila wellsi), one of the rarest bird species globally and endemic to the island. With fewer than 200 individuals remaining, the dove clings to survival in two small, fragmented dry forest areas on Grenada’s southwest and west coasts. These habitats are under severe threat from commercial development, unregulated dumping, invasive predators, and habitat encroachment.

In a significant move, over 50 experts convened at St George’s University on October 8–9 for the Grenada Dove Conservation Action Plan (CAP) Stakeholder Workshop. Organized by the Gaea Conservation Network and supported by the American Bird Conservancy and BirdsCaribbean, the workshop aimed to address the dire challenges facing the species. Participants included representatives from government agencies, NGOs, academic institutions, and community organizations.

Lisa Sorenson, Executive Director of BirdsCaribbean, emphasized the dove’s cultural and ecological significance, stating, ‘The Grenada Dove is more than a rare bird — it’s a national treasure and a symbol of pride. Protecting it means defending the island’s dry forests, one of the most threatened ecosystems in the Caribbean.’

The workshop highlighted the urgent need for habitat restoration, strengthened legal protections, predator control, and community engagement. A draft Conservation Action Plan was developed, focusing on expanding protected areas, halting destructive activities, and fostering public and political support. Jody Daniel, President of Gaea Conservation Network, stressed the importance of collective action: ‘Saving the Grenada Dove will take everyone — scientists, government, communities, and the tourism sector.’

The Grenada Dove, classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List, faces multiple threats, including predation by mongooses, habitat degradation, and weak enforcement of existing protections. The species’ survival hinges on decisive, coordinated efforts to safeguard its remaining habitats and address systemic challenges.

Justin Springer of Re:wild underscored the broader implications of the conservation efforts: ‘Protecting the Grenada Dove means protecting the heart of the island’s biodiversity. It’s a powerful reminder that when local people lead conservation, species have a real chance to recover.’

The workshop outcomes will be refined into a comprehensive Conservation Action Plan, guiding recovery efforts over the next decade. The initiative represents a critical step toward securing the future of this iconic species and the unique ecosystems it inhabits.

Grenada made its debut at the 2025 International Cultural Youth Festival, hosted by YOOFU, an international youth cultural education company, in Beijing’s Jingshan Park. The event, which took place over the weekend, aimed to foster friendship, cultural exchange, and learning among young people from around the globe. Grenada was the sole Caribbean nation represented at the festival, joining countries such as France, Italy, Ethiopia, Kenya, and the United States. The Embassy of Grenada in Beijing seized the opportunity to showcase the island’s unique culture, products, and investment potential, drawing significant attention from attendees. Tricia Bethel, First Secretary at the Embassy, expressed her enthusiasm about Grenada’s participation, noting the remarkable turnout and the excitement among young visitors. Chad John, a long-time supporter of the embassy, highlighted the festival’s role in broadening the horizons of young attendees, emphasizing the importance of cultural exchanges in fostering global awareness. The YOOFU International Cultural Youth Festival continues to serve as a vital platform for cultural diplomacy, uniting nations through music, food, art, and youthful curiosity. Grenada’s involvement underscores its commitment to strengthening international ties and promoting its cultural and economic offerings on a global stage.