Over the last two years, the Anguilla National Trust, with support from the Government of Anguilla and the Royal Society for the Protection Birds (RSPB), has been working on a wetlands conservation project funded by the Overseas Territories Environment Programme.
As part of the project, the Anguilla National Trust has been compiling a wetlands inventory to contain a summary of relevant information about all of the island’s ponds, reviewing Important Bird Area status of additional mainland ponds (based on bird population numbers), and collecting information to potentially support additional wetland protection under the Ramsar Convention, to which Anguilla is a signatory. In addition, during the latter months of the last year, a well-attended three-day practical stakeholder workshop on wetlands management was also held and facilitated by Geoff Welch, the International Wetlands Management Advisor at the RSPB.
As the project has moved into its final quarter, the need for a tangible plan to guide the ANT, its partners, and relevant stakeholders in conservation and wise use of these important ecosystems was identified. In response, a Wetlands Conservation and Wise Use stakeholder workshop was held from 29 through 30 January at the Soroptimist Centre. This workshop was attended by representatives from nine government Departments/Ministries, the Environmental Science and Geography classes of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School, landowners, and representatives from the private sector, including tourism. The workshop was facilitated by Steve and Gillian Holliday. Mr. Holliday, of the RSPB, is also the co-author of A guide to the birds of Anguilla and the Anguilla chapter of Important Birds Areas of the Caribbean. Main topics covered during the workshop were Anguilla’s wetlands and their importance for birds and biodiversity, the benefits of wetlands and pressures they face, the protected area status of Anguilla’s wetlands and international recognition, unlocking eco-tourism potential of Anguilla’s wetlands and the contribution of Anguilla’s wetlands to sustainable development on Anguilla. Introduction to topics were provided by Clarissa Lloyd, Terrestrial and Wetlands Conservation Officer with the ANT, Farah Mukhida, Executive Director of the ANT, and Karim Hodge, Director of the Department of Environment. A field visit to East End Pond and Mimi bay was also enjoyed by participants.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
