Syndicate Nature Trail

Syndicate Nature Trail
Length0.9 mi (1.4 km) in 2026[1]
LocationDominica
DesignationSyndicate Nature Trail
TrailheadsSyndicate Visitor Centre, Waitukubuli Trail
UseHiking, Birding
DifficultyEasy
SeasonYear-round
Websitehttps://forestry.gov.dm/sites/33-syndicate-nature-trail

The Syndicate Nature Trail (or the Visitor Centre Nature Trail) is a hiking trail in Dominica. It is one of two nature trails in Morne Diablotin National Park.[2][3] It is located in the foothills of Morne Diablotin, near the edge of the Picard River Gorge.[2] The entrance to the trail is at the Syndicate Visitor Centre.[4] The trail is also accessible via the Waitukubuli National Trail.[5] The trail is a loop of approximately 1 mile (1.6 km).

History

The trail was constructed in 1993 by Dominica's Forestry, Wildlife, and Parks Division.[6] It is located the on 205 acre (0.83 km2) Syndicate Parrot Preserve (or "Syndicate Preserve"), most of which is forest or rainforest.[7][2][3]

In September 2017, the trail was closed in after Hurricane Maria hit the island.[8] The trail was reopened in 2018, after the Forestry, Wildlife, and Parks Division worked with local and regional partners to clear the trail and other sites.[8]

Wildlife

The trail is popular with birdwatchers,[9] as the preserve is home to the Sisserou Parrot (Amazona imperialis) and the Jaco Parrot (Amazona arausiaca),[4] both of which are endemic to Dominica.[4][10] The Sisserou Parrot is Dominica's national bird,[4] and can be seen on Dominica's coat of arms. Other birds that can be found on the trail include the Bananaquit, Blue-headed Hummingbird, Broad-winged Hawk, Brown Trembler, Lesser Antillean Bullfinch, Plumbeous Warbler, Purplethroated Carib, Rufous-throated Solitaire, and Scaly-naped Pigeon.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Syndicate Nature Trail | Dominica Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division". Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division |. Retrieved 19 March 2026. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 23 (help)
  2. ^ a b c "Syndicate Nature Trail - Ministry of Tourism" (PDF). tourism.gov.dm. Dominica Ministry of Tourism. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  3. ^ a b "Syndicate Nature Trail". forestry.gov.dm. Dominica Division of Forestry, Wildlife and National Parks. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  4. ^ a b c d "Syndicate Nature Trail [brouchure]" (PDF). tourism.gov.dm. Dominica Division of Forestry, Wildlife & Parks.
  5. ^ "Dominica's Waitukubuli National Trail ( WNT )". A Virtual Dominica. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
  6. ^ a b "Syndicate Nature Trail: Morne Diablotin National Park" (PDF). Forestry, Wildlife & Parks Division, Dominica. 2014.
  7. ^ Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Morne Diablotin National Park". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  8. ^ a b Loan, Joyce (2017-11-27). "'Steady progress' on ensuring access to Dominica tourist attractions". WIC News. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  9. ^ "Natural Wonders on the Caribbean's Island of Dominica | Audubon". www.audubon.org. 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  10. ^ "Dominica Records Dramatic Increase in Endemic Bird Numbers - GIS Dominica". news.gov.dm. Retrieved 2024-01-06.