PM Gaston Browne tours Redonda, celebrates wildlife restoration efforts

Prime Minister Gaston Browne toured the restoration projects at the Redonda – an uninhabited island area in Antigua and Barbuda. 

This marks Browne first visit to Redonda, after the Government took the initiative to turn the barren land to an eco-reserve. He also toured the area on a helicopter to assess the ongoing developmental initiatives. 

🌿 It’s Wildlife Wednesday🦆🦎 and Day 3 of Redonda Week!⛰️

Today, we’re shining the spotlight on two of Redonda’s reptilian residents!🦎

Want to know more? Watch our video below!🎥

🎥: Sherrel Charles and Johnella Bradshaw#redondaweek2024 pic.twitter.com/JphWXdcqje

— EAG 🦜🦎🌿🐢 (@EAGAntigua) October 16, 2024

 Browne meets Environment Awareness Group  

During the tour, Prime Minister Gaston Browne held special discussions with the representatives of the Environment Awareness Group. Notably, EAG has been working on the restoration, and operating Redonda Eco-System Reserve.  

They visited different construction sites and tourist attractions, witnessing the island’s natural beauty in terms of its extinct flora and fauna. 

Today, we had the privilege of taking the Honourable Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Brigadier Telbert Benjamin on their first visit to Redonda!🚁 pic.twitter.com/1DcsFZbhQB

— EAG 🦜🦎🌿🐢 (@EAGAntigua) November 29, 2024

The Prime Minister also had discussions with the members of the Environmental Awareness Group, where they focused on future projects that could bring the best from the protected area.  

The authorities at the Environmental Awareness Group of Redonda stated that they are focusing on creating a safe and enhanced Redonda Ecosystem Reserve. They also extended their gratitude to the Prime Minister and the government of the twin island for their support.  

“We can’t wait to see what we will achieve with the continued support of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force as we work together to establish the Redonda Ecosystem Reserve” the authorities stated.  

REDONDA ECOSYSTEM RESERVE 

The Redonda ecosystem reserve is a protected area in Antigua and Barbuda which not just includes the island of Redonda but its coral reef, and seagrass meadows as well.  

Need a “feel good” story today? We got you! Meet the newly protected area, the Redonda Ecosystem Reserve, which is part of Antigua & Barbuda. What was once a barren “moonscape" has now been rejuvenated as a gem of the Caribbean & covers 75,000 acres of land & sea. #thread pic.twitter.com/Ma0aGyyxP1

— U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (@USFWS) October 2, 2023

The island spanning over 30, 000 hectares is protected from the rest of the island to protect its unique and extinct flora and fauna.  

The reserve is notably home to more than 30 globally threatened species creating it an environmental bliss. 

RESTORATION EFFORTS AT THE REDONDA ECOSYSTEM RESERVE 

The island was set for a restoration for removing invasive species including Goats and Rats. This was led in order to reserve resources for the endangered species, so that they survive on the island effortlessly.  

These restoration efforts were started in 2016 by the Environmental Awareness Group (EAG), in partnership with the government, and fauna and flora international (FFI) along with support from several other conservation groups.