THE EDITOR, Sir:
I would like to share with your readers the following letter from a visitor, who recently spent a week in Jamaica, specifically for the purpose of bird-watching.
St. Ann Environment Protection Association is proud to be involved in promoting awareness and appreciation of our natural heritage by both Jamaicans and visitors from abroad.
"Thank you for showing me the birdlife of Jamaica. We found 23 of the 28 Jamaican endemics in just five days on short (3-6 hour) birding excursions. I added 34 species to my life list to bring it to 2,023.
"Jamaica's avifauna is remarkably easy to access for a birder from the United States. There are many very comfortable resort hotels and with your help there is good access to birding sites. There are regular airline connections with US cities, ground transportation is reliable and roads are maintained reasonably well.
"Most importantly, the efforts that you are making to preserve natural areas in Jamaica are vital to maintaining the quality of the Jamaican birding experience. The threats of development are large and the need to protect natural habitats is not foremost in the public awareness. A new environmental consciousness is needed to create a viable Jamaican ecotourism industry and protect the unique biological resources of the island. Your work through the St. Ann Environment Protection Association is in the vanguard of this important cultural shift.
"Non-industrialised countries are beginning to discover that ecotourism provides a way to generate income and jobs without sacrificing the special qualities of their nation's wildlife, geology, geography and historical points of interest.
"I acknowledge and applaud your contributions to protecting the natural environment of Jamaica and its indigenous wildlife."
I am, etc.,
WILLIAM E. COOK, PH.D.
Columbia-Greene
Community College
4400 Route 23
Hudson, NY 12534
USA
