In an effort to streamline operations and improve public services, three of the main natural resources agencies in the public sector – Department of Environment, Department of Agriculture and Department of Fisheries & Marine Resources – have been merged. The current government administration has mandated the Department of Natural Resources to achieve Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Sustainable Fishing & Agriculture and Food Security. This mandate is a significant part of the ultimate goal of establishing best practices which contribute to a blue-green economy for Anguilla. As such, the vision and mission statements for the Department are described below.
Vision: To achieve sustainable food production, food security and environmental governance as quintessential components of longterm economic development and climate resilience in Anguilla.
Mission: To deliver best practices in food production and environmental governance which emphasise entrepreneurship, public engagement and, ultimately, sustainable development.
The Honourable Minister of Economic Development, Commerce, Information Technology and Natural Resources, Mr. Kyle Hodge, sees the merger as an opportunity for innovation and competitiveness in the food production sector. The Honorable Parliamentary Secretary with responsibility for Economic Development and Natural Resources, Mrs. Quincia Gumbs-Marie, sees the merger as an important step towards aligning economic development and environmental conservation in Anguilla.
This merger has provided opportunities for the lateral and upward movement of team members. One such example is the appointment of Ms. Melissa Meade to lead the Department as the Chief Natural Resources Officer. She believes that this step has the potential to maximise the connection between environmental improvement and resource productivity.
The Department of Natural Resources currently operates from two locations- the Climate Adaptation, Resilience and Research Office is on Parliamentary Drive in the building of the former Inland Revenue Department, and the Food Production Office is located on the Agricultural Grounds in The Valley. The Office numbers are 497-0217 and 497-2615 respectively.
The team at the Department of Natural Resources is excited to share the news of this merger with you, and would like to remind you that the sustainable use of our natural resources is key to a Blue-Green Anguilla!
– Press Release
