A cohort of young environmental enthusiasts recently engaged in an immersive field study at the McKinnons Wetlands ecosystem, gaining firsthand experience in avian observation and ecological conservation. The educational program enabled participants to identify diverse bird species indigenous to the region, including herons, egrets (locally termed “garlins”), West Indian whistling ducks, mangrove cuckoos, and pelicans (known regionally as “booby”).
Under the guidance of acclaimed photographer Christine Andrews, attendees mastered practical birdwatching methodologies while analyzing how avian populations contribute to broader biodiversity and sustainable tourism development. The wetlands served as an accessible comparative environment to the North East Marine Management Area (NEMMA), a designated key biodiversity zone.
Beyond ornithological studies, the session confronted pressing environmental threats. While traversing the narrow land bridge connecting Old Runaway and Yorks communities, participants documented instances of illegal dumping and marine debris accumulation. The discovery of waste materials within this fragile ecosystem sparked serious concerns among both youth and facilitators, prompting immediate dialogue regarding community awareness campaigns and improved waste management solutions.
Project Manager Britney McDonald delivered an educational briefing on mangrove species, elucidating their critical functions in coastline stabilization, marine life support, and pollutant filtration. McDonald further demonstrated the wetland’s dynamic tidal variations, illustrating how water levels and ecological conditions transition between Antigua and Barbuda’s distinct rainy and dry seasons.
This initiative forms part of the broader “Strengthening Conservation Actions in the North East Management Area, Antigua and Barbuda” project, spearheaded by IHO-Nature Rangers with financial backing from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund and the World Bank. The program receives implementing support from the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute and partner organization Integrated Health Outreach.