Environment

Grenada is a small island found in the eastern caribbean. Known as the "Isle of Spice" Grenada measured 344 sq miles with a population of about 100,000. Major forest regions are Mt. St. Catherine, Mt. Hope/ Clabony water catchement, Levera, Morne Delice, Annandale watershed, Grand Etand forest reserce and High North forest reserve in Carriacou. Grand Etang, the commonly known rainforest reserve, is protected by the government, (3,800 acres), in the centre of the island. The rainforest has been modified by extensive felling in the nineteenth century and is mostly secondary growth. 

Mangrove swamps include, mainly, Levera Pond, Conference, Upper pearls, Westerhall and Calivingy in the north-east and on the south coast, In Carriacou there is a wonderfully preserved mangrove system with many birds at Petit Carenage Bay. 

Grenada has excellent fertile soil which means almost anything can grow. The Northern part of the island is particularly lush and scenic. Since hurricane Ivan in September 2004, there has been extensive damage, but there are some encouraging signs of regrowth.

Carriacou and Petite Martinique become extremely dry in the dry season and most of the flora is then reduced to dry scrub and cactus. Carriacou has been heavily deforested for sugar, cotton and then lime production, contributing to its low rainfall. In the place of forest grows sea grape, manchineel and coconut. 

Grenada has five species unique to the island. These are the Grenada Dove, which is the national bird, a sub-species of snake, a weevil, the Mountain Cabbage Palm and a Grand Etang Fern.

You are likely to see toads (locally referred to as 'crapaud') crossing the road in the night time, hear the piping frogs singing along with the crickets. There are many different types of lizards and geckos. There are also iguanas (a beautiful turquoise colour - but increasingly rare due to hunting). Grenada is said to have four different types of snakes (none of which is poisonous) but are rarely seen today.