De koninklijke Reserve van de Palm is één van die speciale plaatsen waar men de schoonheid en de kalmte van aard kan waarderen en van Jamaïca benieuwd is. De reserve factureert zich als één van beste ecoaantrekkelijkheden van Jamaïca met meer dan 300 acres van weelderige tropische wildernis en het Jamaicaanse wild waaronder meer dan 300 soorten dieren zoals vogels, vlinders en reptielen en 114 gedocumenteerde soorten planten en bloemen. De reserve werd gevestigd in het midden van de jaren '80 als deel van een plan om de Grote Koninklijke Palmen van het Moeras te beschermen die het uitgebreide oogsten hadden ondergaan en werd bijna verwoest door clearcutting.
Het land werd oorspronkelijk geleid door het Bedrijf Petrolem van Jamaïca maar na een lange reeks ruzies gaven zij het aan vrij Vertrouwen van de Milieubescherming van Negril het (NEPT) in 2001. NEPT beheert de Reserve met een doel aan het beschermen van het gebied en de natuurlijke rijkdommen van het gebied onder de volgende doelstellingen tegen hun website:
1. Om te beschermen en te behouden Negril Groot Moeras en zijn moeraslandflora en fauna, in het bijzonder de Koninklijke Palm endemische van het Moeras (Moeras).
2. Om het niveau te verhogen van voorlichting, kennis en begrip over Negril Groot Moeras (en andere moeraslandecosystemen) hoewel een Interpretive Programma
3. Om mogelijkheden aan burgers van naburige gemeenschappen, in het bijzonder Sheffield, voor inkomensgeneratie door directe werkgelegenheid te bieden, concessies, opleiding en het vergemakkelijken van duurzame levensonderhoudprojecten in de gemeenschap.
4. Om wetenschappelijke kennis van te verhogen Negril Groot Moeras en verwante ecosystemen om planning en beheer van te leiden Negril Het Gebied van de Milieubescherming door de oprichting van een Onderzoekscentrum bij de Reserve en de bevordering van onderzoek bij de Reserve.
5. Om de financiële onafhankelijkheid en de zelf-duurzaamheid van NEPT te verhogen en De koninklijke Reserve van de Palm door de Reserve als inkomen-producerende eco-toerismeaantrekkelijkheid te bevorderen.
The Royal Palm Reserve is without a doubt the best bird watching spot in all of Negril and one of the best choices for birdwatching in Jamaica. You can view dozens of exotic bird species from Negril Jamaica on the Nature Walk with over a half mile of boardwalk which leads you on a beautiful walk to a 30 foot tower in the middle of the Morass which offers the best views of all of Negril. The lovely sounds of birds singing and chirping can be heard all day long at Royal Palm Reserve and the birdwatching is great year round according to some local fans of the Reserve. The Reserve is home to the endangered and rare West Indian Whistling Ducks which you can see floating around in the stocked fish pond. They are scared of people so keep quiet while observing or they will fly off.
The Reserve keeps a pond stocked with Tilapia, or Red Jamaican Snapper as they are called in the local super markets, and they have a catch and release fishing program in effect right now. During peak months or when the pond is overstocked they allow some catch and keep fishing based on the amount of water in the pond and fish available. Fishing in a stocked pond is kinda unfair to the fish but loads of fun for the kids and family. We caught a few fish and let them go but my camera was left behind on that trip so no pictures of us fishing at the Royal Palm Reserve. Fishing equipment is available upon request but bring a loaf of bread for bait and to feed the Whistling Ducks with.
The Reserve has an alligator that lives within the confines of a caged pond. We have only ever caught a glimpse of him and he seems very shy. Could also be that it was hot as the sun and he was hiding in the waters of the swampy pond but we only ever saw him once in three trips. I figured he was trained to answer someone who feeds him so I banged on a pipe used to water him and as soon as I did he popped his head above the murky waters. I think we scared him as we maneuvered for a better picture and he split never to pop up again. Worth a look for sure but you may not get to see him every trip. The Royal Palm Reserve website advertises horseback riding but I never saw any signs of that on our trips, they may bring the horses in from someplace out of sight because the property requires advance booking for this special feature.
The best thing to do at Royal Palm Reserve is plan a picnic. The staff are well prepared to cook and feed groups up to 20 people with advance bookings or you can bring your own food and enjoy a nice day with friends or family and some good food and conversation. The natural beauty and awesome views will inspire some lively conversation on the wonders around you and maybe even make a difference in your day or your life.
The Royal Palm Reserve charges $10US per adult and $5 per child for access to the park all day long. You can spend some time walking the nature trails, fishing the stocked ponds or watching the wildlife and time pass by and enjoy a beautiful day of nature while supporting a beautiful public space. The museum on site offers a great educational opportunity and our kids had fun in the interactive attraction. Learn about the biodiversity and local fauna and wildlife in the colorful and entertaining activities room at the museum and teach the next generation to appreciate the natural world as much as they do the electronic one most of us live in.
If you are in the Negril area and don’t visit the Royal Palm Reserve you’ll miss out on some of the best views in Jamaica and upset me for not appreciating the natural beauty of the Negril Great Morass and the Royal Palms.
You can find 55 more pictures of Royal Palm Reserve at the Jamaica Photo Gallery
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Tags: Birdwatching, Jamaica, Jamaica Adventures, jamaica birdwatching, Jamaica Travel, Jamaica Wildlife, negril, Negril Jamaica, Places to visit in Jamaica, royal palm reserve, Things to do in Jamaica
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