IN ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
Adoptacoastline, the non-profit dedicated to community coastal stewardship in Antigua and Barbuda, has secured funding from The Sandals Foundation and The GEF Small Grants Fund for The Johnson’s Point Coastal Stewardship Program. Club Amaranthus, a non-profit
empowering women and girls and Good Humans 268, creating opportunities for people with disabilities are also part of this community partnership.
Johnsons Point Young People become Coastal Youth Stewards Young people residing in Johnson’s Point and surrounding villages are invited to become youth coastal stewards receiving ocean-edge education that includes coastal clean ups, indigenous tree planting, creating, installing and managing bins from discarded tyres destined for landfill, and producing circle economy products from marine debris, such as
jewellery, magnets and artworks sold in the Adoptacoastline Hub in English Harbour.
Tree Planting Event held on 14 February 2024
On 14 February 2024 18 youth coastal stewards from the local area were joined by 24 community volunteers to plant 16 coconut palm trees donated by Good Humans 268. They also planted 30 sea grape seedlings and 8 coconut pods along the coastline. Youth stewards removed one 55 gallon bag of trash from the coastal ecosystem noting a significant reduction in littering since the introduction of two Adoptacoastline beach tyre bins.
Coastal Youth Steward, Ki’Niyah McKay, age 11 shared: “Being at the beach planting trees makes me feel close to nature, it makes me feel like I’m a good human.” Other coastal youth stewards shared: “Being by the ocean I feel free”, “I feel free to be myself”, “I feel calm”.
Kat Byles, Director, Adoptacoastline said: “Young people are reconnecting with nature and taking on leadership roles within in their community. The community coming together to take positive, grassroots action for coastal ecosystems to thrive contributes to a brighter future for Antigua and Barbuda.”
Adoptacoastline was founded in 2009 by environmental artist Jennifer Meranto: “Adoptacoastline hopes to inspire young people to become the caretakers, water keepers, and stewards of the earth and waters and to optimize their own good health by embracing natural and organic lifestyles.”
Georgia Scarlett, environmental projects coordinator at the Sandals Foundation was also present at the Johnson’s Point Tree Planting event shared why they have chosen to partner with Adoptacoastline to make a difference to women and girls in Antigua and Barbuda:
“Sandals Foundation believes in the power of partnerships to implement a sustainable approach. This project aligns with our regional mandate to strengthen environmental education and stewardship, working with those who have the capacity to reach new
members within communities, share knowledge, and gain support in the conservation of our natural resources. Globally women and children have been shown to have a remarkable effect when it comes to galvanizing others to make a difference, and our partnership with
Adoptacoastline will continue that.”
Speaking on behalf of The GEF Small Grants Program in Antigua and Barbuda, also a funding partner, Natalya Lawrence said: “We are, as islanders, quite connected to the sea. We are happy to collaborate with Adoptacoastline to develop coastal stewards, who
will safeguard our beaches for the benefit of people and wildlife.”
Additional funding has been secured for Adoptacoastline’s Caribbean expansion into three new small islands gearing up to replicate the community coastal stewardship model in Barbuda, Nevis (St Kitts and Nevis) and Carriacou (Grenada and the Grenadines) through
late 2024 and 2025 via the GEF Inclusive Challenge Initiative.