DIVE into nature's water colours. Dive Fest, July 10- 19, 2009 CULTURE World Creole Music Festival, Oct 30- Nov 1 2009 & Carnival-' The Real Mas' HIKE 300 miles of footpaths, including the new Waitukubuli National Trail HEALTH & WELLNESS Abundant natural wonders and holistic therapies Discover Dominica's Diversity DISCOVERDOMINICA. COM TOURISM@ DOMINICA. DM ( 767) 448 2045 DD

40 ZiNG July - September 2009 Arlington James has devoted more than 30 years to bird and plant conservation in Dominica as a member of the nation's Forestry, Wildlife & Parks Division. As well as dedicated hands- on fieldwork he has authored numerous publications and is coordinator of the island's Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival programme. James, who describes his work as " being involved in a bit of everything", began as an Assistant Forest Officer and rose to Acting Director of Forestry and Wildlife at various times. The Division is hailed for its work, including efforts to conserve Dominica's two endemic parrots, the Imperial Parrot ( or " Sisserou") and the Red- necked Parrot ( or " Jaco"). James' wide- ranging career has included co-ordinating research on Dominica's native palms, freshwater swamps and mangrove species; the environmental monitoring of beaches, rainfall, stream flow and water levels; monitoring water level changes and related conditions at Dominica's famous Boiling Lake, and overseeing the activities of visiting researchers. It's clear that the creativity involved in Dominica's month- long Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival, which had a 2009 theme of Celebrate Birds in Culture, has inspired him. " It's growing, and we're excited about that. We do a lot of activities with school children and we try to be as creative as possible, coming up with ideas to fire their imagination," James explains. James has written widely on Dominica's plants, animals and ecosystems. He is lead author of Dominica's Birds, a fully illustrated guide exploring the island's birdlife and its cultural importance, and he also wrote Flora and Fauna of Cabrits National Park. He's currently working on another publication, documenting the traditional games Dominican children play with local plants and plant parts. " I am proud of the publications because, when I retire, I will have left something behind. One or two schools have already used them as texts, and that is gratifying. I'm not going anywhere yet though," he laughs. " I'll be doing this for as long as I am able to." l Visit www. avirtualdominica. com/ forestry The Division is hailed for its work, including efforts to conserve Dominica's two endemic parrots, the Sisserou and the Jaco 6 Arlington James Forestry, Wildlife & Parks Division CONSERVATION Lisa Sorenson