Mt. Stanhope Estate

Did you know many important plant species with long‑standing medicinal or aromatic uses are included in the SPAW Protocol’s Annexes?

Here are a few:
🌿Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Chaya, Tree spinach) – Annex I
🌿 Crescentia mirabilis / Crescentia portoricensis (Calabash tree spp.) – Annex I
🌿 Zanthoxylum thomasianum (Prickly ash) – Annex I
🌿Avicennia germinans (Black mangrove) – Annex III
🌿 Rhizophora mangle (Red mangrove) – Annex III
🌿 Laguncularia racemosa (White mangrove) – Annex III
🌿 Conocarpus erectus (Buttonwood) – Annex III
🌵 Guaiacum officinale (Lignum vitae) – Annex III

These plants have been part of Caribbean traditions for generations—used for teas, remedies, healing baths, and aromatic preparations.

The ongoing decisions under UNEP‑CEP continue strengthening the region’s leadership in evidence‑based conservation, resource mobilization, and impactful environmental governance as we move toward key frameworks for 2025–2026 and COP19 in 2027.

You can help leatherback sea turtles by keeping Florida beaches clean, dark, and flat during nesting season:

▪Remove all trash, beach furniture, toys, and food remnants at the end of the day. Litter can block nesting turtles or attract predators that threaten nests.
▪Turn off or shield artificial lights near the beach. Bright lights disorient nesting females and hatchlings, leading them away from the ocean. Use red or amber LED lights if needed.
▪Fill in holes and knock down sandcastles. Deep holes and structures can trap nesting turtles or emerging hatchlings.

These actions are essential from March through October, especially along Florida’s Atlantic coast where leatherbacks begin nesting early in the season.

Learn more ➡ https://savetheseaturtle.org/