Dominica Botanic Gardens Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies

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DAAS Donates Much Needed Equipment to the Gardens

August 25, 2009 - As part of its interest in rehabilitating the Dominica Botanic Gardens, the Dominica Academy of Arts and Sciences (DAAS) today handed over several pieces of light equipment, valued at EC$5,400, to the Dominica Forestry Division, for maintenance of the Gardens. This effort was spearheaded by Dr. Davison Shillingford, Coordinator of the DAAS Botanic Gardens website. Dr. Clayton Shillingford, President of DAAS did the handover. Receiving the equipment on behalf of Forestry was Mr. M. Burton, Director of the Forestry Division, and Mr. David Williams, Dominica’s Superintendent of National Parks and Curator of the Botanic Gardens. Also in attendance were Mr. Cyril John, Manager of the Gardens, Dr. Henry Fagan of the local DAAS chapter, and Mr. Rupert Sorhaindo of Friends of Botanic Gardens.

Photo by Joan Etienne

In handing over the equipment, Dr. Clayton Shillingford explained that these purchases were made possible through the DAAS Botanic Gardens Fund. The Fund was seeded with a charitable donation of US$1000 from Ms. Virginia McCormick of Florida. Ms. McCormick had previously visited the Gardens, was impressed with its potential, and saw its need. Several other individuals made substantive contributions, particularly Mr. Raglan Riviere, Dr. Thomson Fontaine, Dr. Davison Shillingford, Mr. Ronald Charles and Dr. Clayton Shillingford. We are also very thankful to all others who made donations, allowing us to extend our purchases. These purchases were based on a list of items needed for the Gardens provided by Mr. Williams. The purchases included a Power Pruner, Pole Saw, Backpack Sprayer, 2 Folding Saws, 2 Heavy Duty String Trimmers, 5 Worker Safety Vests, and several other smaller items. Dr. Shillingford also noted that it was especially significant that morning, that while they were handing over the equipment, several busloads of cruise passengers were visiting the Gardens, just as Ms. McCormick had done, which had led to her donation. Mr. Burton received the equipment on behalf of Forestry and thanked DAAS for its continued interest and support, as did Mr. Williams..

Photo by Joan Etienne

DAAS is particularly grateful to Ms. McCormick for her generous donation, and to all the other donors who supported the project. We are also thankful to Dr Davison Shillingford for purchasing the equipment and coordinating the project, to Mr. Williams of the Gardens for identifying the needed equipment, and Messrs Collin Bully and Rupert Sorhaindo of the Friends of the Botanic Gardens for their support and encouragement. The Gardens Fund - #12 is still open and needs donations to meet the further needs of the Gardens.

Photo by Joan Etienne

Despite its diminished luster, the Dominica Botanic Gardens is still one of the most beautiful Gardens in the Caribbean. With rehabilitation, it could be one of the most beautiful in the world, something we Dominicans would be eternally proud of. With independence, this is our Gardens now, our responsibility, as Kew Gardens is to the UK or Fairchild Gardens is to Florida. We need to take care of it much better than we have, for ourselves and our people, for our pride, and for posterity.