Vanessa Forbes
Droughts and Hurricanes in the U.S. Caribbean
During the summer of 2018, the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center and the U.S. Geological Survey recorded the oral histories of resource managers attending a U.S. Caribbean drought workshop in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The oral testimonies collected here provide lessons learned from the past and solutions for the future. We hear stories of extreme storms like Hurricanes Irma and Maria, as well as stories of slower-moving chronic issues like drought and how they impact communities and ecosystems. These stories also provide insight into the scientific needs of the natural resource community in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands – and we learn what types of information could help managers effectively plan for future extreme weather events. As a whole, these individual stories — in their own native voices from U.S. Caribbean communities — give us access to a collection of experiences with the potential to help communities and researchers now and in the future.
These oral histories are held in the The Digital Library of the Caribbean (dLOC), a cooperative digital library for resources from and about the Caribbean and circum-Caribbean. The dLOC partner institutions are the core of dLOC. dLOC partners retain all rights to their materials and provide access to digitized versions of Caribbean cultural, historical, and research materials currently held in archives, libraries, and private collections. You can view the complete Caribbean oral history series here.
CastingWords
Vanessa Forbes is a horticulture agent with the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service. She works with the community, including farmers, homeowners, schools, and non-profit organizations, addressing issues related to agricultural commodities and home plants. Vanessa's work involves providing assistance and guidance to help individuals and organizations manage their horticultural needs. She has a diverse range of responsibilities and is involved in various aspects of horticulture, demonstrating a broad understanding of the field.
Scope and Content Note
The interview with Vanessa Forbes focuses on her experiences with past drought and extreme weather events, particularly hurricanes, and the management strategies to improve resiliency in the face of future weather events. The interview provides insights into Vanessa's personal experiences during Hurricane Maria, including the impact on her community and the changes in the landscape. Additionally, the interview delves into the professional aspects of Vanessa's work, highlighting her efforts to assist farmers and the community in the aftermath of the storm. The discussion also covers the 2015 drought in the US Virgin Islands and the challenges faced by the agricultural sector. Furthermore, the interview explores the traditional knowledge and practices related to farming and weather prediction, as well as the importance of seed security and conservation. Vanessa's perspectives on the impact of drought and extreme weather events on food production and the community's resilience are central themes throughout the interview.
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