Corporate Sponsorship

In the summer of 2007, the TDC funded Welchman Hall Gully, other small tourist attractions and community groups. Welchman Hall Gully received 10 wood benches, 4 garbage cans and 6 picnic tables.

On April 24, 2008, Dieter Mennekes funded the start of the Educational Programme. A launch was given with Cynthia Forde, Keith Laurie, Dieter Mennekes and at about 20 other community members and interested parties.

View larger photo

Dieter Mennekes is an engineer and entrepreneur from Germany. Mr. Mennekes has funded many environmental projects including Dr. Colin Hudson’s Future Centre Trust. He gives a significant portion of his assets to the protection of the environment and the promotion of health. He started the Environmental Foundation in 1999 in the municipality in the Sauerland Kirchhundem (Kreis Olpe). It is politically independent and has four priorities:

• Conservation
• Village Life
• Gifted
• Action against smoking

This organization sponsors environmental groups who are working with children and environmental education. In July 2009, they funded the expansion of the cashier hut. It will now act as a gift shop. All products in the shop will be locally made.

View larger photo

Mr. Mennekes funding at Welchman Hall Gully was used mainly for:

An outdoor Classroom

This gazebo is used for environmental education and in the summer of 2009, the first Back to Nature summer camp was held with 10 campers.

View larger photo

Native Plant Nursery

The native plant nursery will house native plants collected from all over Barbados. The plants will be replanted in the gully as in situ conservation. Since, Barbados natural landscape is slowly being destroyed and our rare and native plants are found in a few locates throughout the island, establishing a Biodiversity/Education Centre for all Barbados is vital.

View larger photo