ANGUILLA— President of the Anguilla National Trust (ANT), Avon Carty, welcomed a robust gathering of ANT members and guests to the annual general meeting, and holiday festival gathering, on Tuesday evening, December 7. Held on the decorated grounds of the Governor’s former residence, which now serves as the ANT office, attendees reviewed and accepted the minutes of the December 9, 2019, annual general meeting.
Following the completion of the 2019 matters, Ms Carty provided a comprehensive overview of the ANT’s 2020 activities with accompanying photos projected onto a widescreen. She began the 2020 President’s report with a recap of the ANT’s mission which is: ‘To be a leader in promoting, supporting and enabling sustainable development and heritage conservation in Anguilla.’ She covered activities undertaken within the five programme areas of the ANT: wetlands conservation, coastal and marine conservation, protected areas management, culture and heritage, and public awareness and stewardship.
Highlights of the work presented included bird monitoring activities on both Anguilla and the cays, which continues to be the longest-running programme within the wetlands conservation area. Rat eradication on the cays has been a success as has the continued work to preserve the Endangered Lesser Antillean iguana on the Prickly Pear East cay. Work continues on a conservation action plan for endangered reptile species unique to Anguilla.
Outreach to, and partnership with, the schools and young students continues. Students actively monitor birdlife, as well as assist with the maintenance and protection of wetlands through the planting of hundreds of mangrove seedlings. Over a hundred lignum vitae have been distributed to assist with increasing the plants distribution on the mainland. Monitoring of sea turtle nesting activity and protective laws for the turtles are ongoing. Underwater diving and snorkel trails have been created and maintained in two areas. The restoration of ponds and beaches are also being addressed in collaboration with the Department of Disaster Management and the Environment Unit – Department of Natural Resources.
Following the lengthy and item-filled 2020 President’s report, the 2020 financial report, through October 31 2020, was presented along with a short talk by ANT Research Associate Dr. Louise Soanes on Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change.
Elections of officers to fill three ANT council positions vacated due to the one-year term period resulted in three newly elected council members: Frank Cannon, Elliot Gumbs and Trevreen Queeley Javois. Non-member guests were invited to take advantage of the ‘Black Friday member sale’ where they could purchase a membership at a reduced price. Approximately a dozen guests took advantage of the sale.
Farah Mukhida, the Executive Director, closed the meeting by thanking her staff for all they do to ensure that the ANT’s mission is successfully executed.
Following the meeting, members and guests had an opportunity to mingle while enjoying refreshments catered by Mr. Khalid Brooks. Longstanding ANT member and volunteer, Mr. Lenox Proctor, once again offered his services as mixologist.
– Contributed
