Local non-profit organization Adoptacoastline recently launched its Johnson’s Point Coastal Stewardship Program with a tree-planting and coastal clean-up project through funding from the Sandals Foundation and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Fund.

The coastal community stewardship project which will continue its rollout of the upcoming months focuses on educating and empowering young people and women within the local community on ocean-edge education, coastal clean ups programmes, indigenous tree planting, creating, installing and managing bins from discarded tyres, and producing circle economy products from marine debris, such as jewellery, magnets and art pieces.

As part of the tree planting activity, 18 young coastal stewards from the area were joined by 24 community volunteers to plant over 50 trees including sea grape seedlings, coconut pods and coconut palm trees donated by local non-profit organization and project partner - Good Humans 268. The stewards also removed 55 gallons of trash from the coastal ecosystem noting a significant reduction in littering since the introduction of two Adoptacoastline beach tyre bins in the area. “Being at the beach planting trees makes me feel close to nature, it makes me feel like I’m a good human”, 11-year-old coastal youth steward Ki’Niyah McKay shared.

“With young people reconnecting with nature and taking on leadership roles within their local communities, this adds new energy and life into our community, championing us to work together to take positive, grassroots action for coastal ecosystems to thrive. This contributes to a brighter future for Antigua and Barbuda”, Adoptacoastline Director Kat Byles added.

Sharing in the excitement of the historic event, Sandals Foundation Environmental Projects Coordinator Georgia Scarlett said, “We are excited to partner with Adoptacoastline to make a difference for women and girls in Antigua and Barbuda, the Sandals Foundation believes in the power of partnerships to implement a sustainable approach and this project aligns with our regional mandate to strengthen environmental education and stewardship. We are committed to 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, 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.”

With plans to expand the community coastal stewardship model into three new small islands - Barbuda, Nevis (St Kitts and Nevis) and Carriacou (Grenada and the Grenadines), Adoptacoastal has secured funding to ensure successful roll out later this year and continuing into 2025 as part of the GEF Inclusive Challenge Initiative,

Adoptacoastline was founded in 2009 by environmental artist Jennifer Meranto who shares - “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.”