Soufrière, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is celebrated for its dramatic geological features and the Soufrière Marine Management Area—a regional benchmark for biodiversity conservation. However, increasing land-based and coastal activities are placing growing pressure on its riverine and marine ecosystems, threatening biodiversity and climate resilience.
In response, the Flowing Clean project was launched on World Environment Day 2025 and is rapidly gaining traction as communities mobilize to restore the health of the Soufrière River. Led by the Caribbean Student Environmental Alliance Inc. (WaterWays Caribbean), the initiative blends citizen science, advocacy, and hands-on restoration to protect one of Saint Lucia’s most vital freshwater systems.
Funded at US $150,000, the project is supported by the UNDP/GEF/UNOPS PROCARIBE+ regional project and the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Co-funding is also being provided by the Soufrière Regional Development Foundation (SRDF) and the Government of Saint Lucia. Together, these partners are taking bold steps to empower communities, protect biodiversity, and advance climate goals through a ridge-to-reef approach.
“For the people of Soufrière, this isn’t just a conservation project—it’s an investment and a pledge to protect the river that sustains our culture, livelihoods, and way of life,” said Nadia Cazaubon, Program Director, Caribbean Student Environmental Alliance Inc.
Caption: The Pitons, a pair of iconic volcanic plugs, and their surrounding management area were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Photo: Corinne Kutz.
Community led action, governance and innovation
A key milestone has been the establishment of the Soufrière River Systems Management Committee (SRSMC), comprising representatives from 12 local agencies. Chaired by the SRDF and supported by WaterWays Caribbean, the committee will guide river management efforts, aligning scientific data, community input, and policy. The SRSMC is designed to continue beyond the project’s completion in December 2026, ensuring long-term sustainability.
To launch the initiative, a People’s Charter for the Soufrière River was developed through consultations across seven communities. Unveiled on August 10th in historic Soufrière Square, the Charter affirms the river’s cultural and ecological significance and invites residents to pledge their support for its restoration.
The project also leverages cutting-edge technology, including a multispectral drone capable of mapping waterways and detecting ecological changes in real time. Thirteen individuals, including six community members and officers from the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, completed drone pilot and participatory mapping training. The six community members are now certified pilots, forming the core of the Flowing Clean Drone Monitoring Team.
Caption: Key stakholders and project participants at the World Environmrnt Day Launch of the Flowing Clean project.
In addition to training and equipment, the project is preparing to launch two critical research efforts: a perception survey to assess community attitudes and river usage, and a cancer survey to explore potential links between water quality and public health. Field data collection is set to begin shortly, with water sampling to test for heavy metals, organochlorides, and organophosphates in springs, rivers, and catchments serving Soufrière residents
Community interest in the Adopt-a-River programme has been strong, reflecting a growing awareness of the connection between river health and human well-being. The enthusiastic response to the Charter and the collaboration among government, civil society, and citizens signal a promising path forward. “We are extremely grateful to PROCARIBE+, GEF SGP, UNDP, and the Soufriere Regional Development Foundation, who recognized the impact this project will have and stepped up as partners and funders,” added Cazaubon.
Flowing Clean offers a replicable model for integrated watershed management, combining community action, science, technology, and governance to protect freshwater and marine resources in the face of climate change and development pressures.