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Union Nature Trail |
The one place you're guaranteed to see wildlife: it's caged. |
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At just under 1 mile, the Union Nature Trail is located at the Forestry Department headquarters in the town of Union. The small mini-zoo at the beginning of the trail offers guaranteed sightings of iguana, boa and agouti. Behind the forestry buildings is a small medicinal garden devoted to herbal cures, or bush medicine. A free pamphlet describes some of the plants and their properties. For instance, islanders formerly used aloe and other, lesser-known plants until shampoos, medicines and other products were imported. There is now a renewed interest in the properties of bush medicine, which bodes well for everyone: for the locals because it is cheaper and for tourists because it ensures protection of the forests. The self-guiding nature trail takes about an hour and it's an easy path regularly used by young school children. A brochure explains the different kinds of trees and their uses: Caribbean pine to make cabinets and the hearty gliricidia used for fence posts. You also may see a good variety of birds, including hummingbirds, thrashers,
warblers and mockingbirds. Call in advance to arrange a guide: (758) 468-5649/5645/5648 After about 2.5km you'll see a large fence on the right; turn right at the end of it to reach the forestry headquarters. The turnoff is easy to miss because of poor signage. To Rain Forest Hiking Rules Contacts To Animals of the St. Lucia Rain Forest To Hikes of the St.
Lucia Rain Forest |
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