Twenty-one local guides have successfully completed a dynamic five-day training workshop aimed at increasing the capacity and expertise of local tour guides and enhancing eco-tourism in Barbados.

The Workshop was held at Walkers Reserve in St. Andrew, Barbados, and organised by BirdsCaribbean and the Caribbean Birding Trail (CBT), in partnership with the Walkers Institute for Regenerative Research, Education and Design (WIRRED). The training prepared tour guides to deliver exceptional birdwatching experiences for Barbados’ visitors.

From October 21-25, participants completed a comprehensive curriculum on bird identification, behaviour, ecology, habitat conservation, and environmental interpretation—the art of telling stories to connect visitors with Barbados’ natural and cultural heritage.

Led by expert instructors from BirdsCaribbean, the training combined in-depth learning with hands-on field experiences. Participants visited key birding sites across the island to practise bird identification and guiding techniques.

Ocean Campbell, a local tour guide and owner of Ocean Hikes, shared his enthusiasm: “I had an amazing experience. I learned new guiding techniques that I’ll be using on my hikes, and can’t wait to incorporate birding into what I teach people along the east coast trails.”

Birds play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, acting as pollinators, seed dispersers, and indicators of environmental health. Protecting birds helps safeguard the delicate balance of nature while addressing issues like habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.

Georgina Thornton, Project Officer at WIRRED, highlighted the workshop’s dual impact: “By investing in our guides, we’re enhancing our tourism offerings while supporting the conservation of Barbados’ rich biodiversity. This workshop underscores our commitment to sustainable tourism and community development.”

Lisa Sorenson, Executive Director at BirdsCaribbean, emphasised Barbados’ ecological importance: “The wetlands and coastlines here provide critical stopover and wintering sites for tens of thousands of migratory shorebirds, many facing steep declines along the Atlantic Flyway. Cultivating a vibrant birding culture and tourism market helps build support for habitat conservation and fosters sustainable livelihoods.”

The Sandals Foundation provided funding of US $29,000 to facilitate the training and conduct a comprehensive assessment of the top bird watching sites in Barbados to enhance the bird tourism sector. Georgia Scarlett, Environmental Projects Manager at the Sandals Foundation, noted, “As a Foundation, we know that education is the foundation of environmental stewardship. With this, we continue to support capacity building sessions across the region.

“This project strengthens capacity, fosters stewardship, and ultimately benefits livelihood development as birding is a rapidly growing tourism market. Globally, travellers are eager to participate in nature tourism activities and, with these sessions, trainees can provide this service,” Scarlett continued.

The workshop was also supported by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service International Programs, USAID, and Vortex Optics.

BirdsCaribbean is a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving Caribbean birds and their habitats through education, science, and advocacy. WIRRED and Walkers Reserve continue to champion regenerative tourism and environmental conservation, working toward a sustainable and resilient future for Barbados.

The Sandals Foundation’s support for the October 2023 CBT Guide Training Program in the Turks & Caicos Islands demonstrates its ongoing commitment to environmental education and sustainability across the Caribbean.