The Daily News. December 02, 1992

Annaly Bay area


needs protection
The Virgin Islands has a long
tradition of using forests, range-
lands and other green or open OI
spaces for recreation. These tradi- Easee
tions include picnicking, hunting, Davis
hiking, horseback riding, camping,
fishing for sport as well as subsis-
tence and exploration of wilderness
areas. Our environment
These outdoor activities, as
major expressions of our love for
the natural environment, have Annaly Bay is an important sanctu-
involved all segments of our soci- ary for local birds and wintering
ety. History reveals that Virgin land birds from North America. It
Islanders have enjoyed essentially has been documented that this area
free access to the land to enjoy the shelters 20 species of migrant land
natural environment, birds. Furthermore, several West
Today :h Vir.in TI ral environment is threatened. St. Puerto Rican screech owl and Less-
Croix, the largest of the three Vir- er Antillean bullfinch breed there.
gins, is more threatened since more Many people in the Virgin
open space is available here for Islands do not understand that such
development, birds as the red-tailed hawk, the
As a people, we have begun to Puerto Rican screech owl and the
understand the important role of bridled quail dove require deep for-
natural resources in our society and est habitats.
the benefits of protecting them. Some species of birds need
Since tourism is a major part of mature trees for nesting in order to
the Virgin Islands' economy, it is reproduce. It is important to protect
important to make provisions for Annaly Bay and areas such as
the preservation of natural and his- Spring Garden and Caledonia since
toric areas and the protection of cul- some wildlife species require large
tural resources. areas to survive.
However, the Virgin Islands has
some serious land-use problems, I think that in the near future
including crowding, traffic conges- increased demand for outdoor
tion and user conflicts. recreation will become more impor-
tant not only for the tourist industry
Other tasks facing the territory but also for residents of these
include preservation of significant islands. We must have a quality
ecological areas, maintenance of environment in order to sustain the
visual quality, projecting demand Virgin Islands economy.
and understanding the benefits of
protecting natural resources for We must plan. and plan correct-
future use. ly. It is essential to control growth
Therefore, we can no longer to prevent adverse effects on the
ignore our limited natural resources. environment. We can start by pre-
Opportunities and resources -for serving areas like Annaly Bay.
expanding public recreation sites Plans for the use of the Annaly
such as wilderness areas are more Bay area could include foot trails
limited than they have ever been. and picnic sites as well as areas
On the northwestern side of St. reserved for scientific study or
Croix, there are areas that do not preservation of wilderness or
yet have hotels, condominiums or wildlife observation.
houses.
The Annaly Bay area has one. o The bays surrounding the north-
tw Annaly Bay area has one o western section of St. Croix also
the last remaining tropical semiev- should be protected. The marine
ergreen and deciduous forests on St. environment has an effect on the
Croix. land ecosystem just as the land
Besides the forest, this area ecosystem has on the marine envi-
includes hills, open spaces, slopes, ronment.
valleys, pasture lands and bays.
Such bays as Sweet Bottom, Let us fight to protect Annaly
Maroon Hole, Wills and Hams Bay and the surrounding environ-
Bluff and inland areas such as Cale- ment. After all, it is part of our nat-
donia and Spring Garden play a sig- ural heritage.
nificant part in the Annaly Bay
ecosystem. Olasee Davis who holds a mas-
The surrounding area also has ter of science degree in range man-
ruins of historical significance, such agement and forestry ecology, is a'
is sugar mill ruins. St. Croix ecologisr.'0ctivist dr
Thre area frowr t^-n----- o wl