The project is located on the eastern side of the island of St. Vincent. The area is known as the Massey Estate. In colonial times, it was a small plantation consisting of approximately 230 acres. Historically, Portuguese indentured workers settled in the lower part of the valley which became known as "Maderia Valley". The valley was severely deforested for subsistence farming after the estate was dismantled in 1960s. With the advent of organised banana production, many villagers seized the opportunity to produce for the market. The demand for bananas coupled with the good price and the assured market, drove villagers to clear more forested areas for banana production. Ecological changes even on that small scale coupled with global changes led to long dry spells, reduced water flow in the river to a trickle in some months. The cutting of the trees for farming not only reduced precipitation but lend itself to land slippage on the hills during the rainy season.


This project proposes to transform the Maderia Valley, and by extension the Massey Valleys, to an agro-forest cum-cultural and historical eco-tourism centre. It will depict the journey of St. Vincent from the period of Garifuna to present. It is undertaken also as a measured initiative in revitalization of the natural ecology of the area, and to introduce and demonstrate the mix of sustainable agro-forestry and eco-tourism.