Sage Mountain National Park, British Virgin Islands
Eastablished in 1964 : 86 acres
As the first National Park in the BVI Sage Mountain represents the beginning of conservation in the territory. Through a generous donation from Laurance Rockerfeller, The Land at Sage Mountain was purchased from farmers and given to the BVI Government as a National Park. The Farmland was reforested with white cedar West Indian and Honduran mahogany trees which have thrived along with other naturally regenerated secondary vegetation. Sage Mountain is the highest point in the British and US Virgin Islands at 1716 feet with panoramic views of all the islands. The mountain itself creates rain as warm moist air rises from the east and south, then cools as it crosses the mountain. This falls as rain on the northern side of the Park, which is reflected in the different types of vegetation that are found on the north and south sides of the ridge.
The main entrance of the park is a 5-minute walk from the car park. There are twelve trails through the forest with loops creating circular route. Brochures are available at the Park entrance.
click thumbnail to enlarge (photo of Sage Mountain National Park, British Virgin Islands)
