Improving Environmental Management through Sustainable Land Management in St. Kitts and Nevis.

The economy in St. Kitts and Nevis (SKN) has undergone a radical transformation during the last fifteen years, which has changed the islands’ land-use patterns and pressures on its ecosystems. Sugarcane long dominated the landscape, particularly on the island of St. Kitts, but as a result of unfavourable trading terms, the industry was closed in July 2005. To diversify the economy, land use zoning has been modified to allow for non- agricultural uses of former sugarcane lands, such as the construction of homes, tourism facilities, schools, commercial & industrial sites, etc.

The project aims to support SKN to address the drivers of development which have adverse impacts on land and other natural resources as a result of competing demands and reorient all sectors of the economy towards sustainable resource use policies and practices, which together can provide economic opportunities for the country’s population while also sustaining ecosystem services and globally significant biodiversity.