ECHO-Lab – the Environmental Conservation and Heritage Organisation of Laborie – formerly known as the Laborie Conservation & Heritage Group was established on April 16th 1992 by a group of teachers. It currently has a membership of 15. Membership is open to residents of Laborie who are committed to the organisation’s goals. ECHO-Lab meetings are held every second and fourth Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the library in Laborie.

Mission Statement:

To develop awareness of the need to conserve the natural and cultural environment, and promote sustainable living practices through community education and community participation.

Objectives:

• To disseminate information on the importance of environmental conservation
• To organise activities that develop awareness of natural, historical and cultural issues
• To foster participation in community conservation and heritage activities
• To identify, develop and conserve, or assist in the development, of nature-heritage sites in and around Laborie.
• To increase awareness of sustainable living issues, technologies, & behaviours.

Environmental Awareness Activities:

• Community environmental education
• Management of the Morne Le Blanc Nature Heritage Site
• Earth Day celebrations: celebrated in part as Soleil Kouché (Sunset)
• World Environment Day Heritage Promotion Activities:
• Promotion of traditional pastimes e.g. ring games & other games, kite flying, traditional drumming, traditional dance
• Organising and staging of Jounen Kwéyòl 2005
• Organising of cultural events such as Ti La Wenn ek Ti Le Wa Kwéyòl and Mawonn Bòd Lanmè
• Management, through Miss Udra Chicot, of the Laborie Stilt Dancers (Les Ti Zéan dé Labowi).
• Management of the Laborie Violin Project.