The Department of Environment has secured over £140,000 in grant funding for three environmentally focused projects.
In a media release on Wednesday, the Department said it was successful in round 6 of the DARWIN Plus UK government grants scheme, designed to deliver long-term strategic outcomes for biodiversity, the natural environment and improving resilience to climate change within the UK Overseas Territories.
To this end it has received approximately £145,000 to deliver the projects that would assist in understanding the behaviour and range of the Montserrat Black Iguana, the management and control of the invasive Casuarina and and building capacity to improve the resilience of forest ecosystems.
Each programme will increase the knowledge and data sets for the Department and the wider community by improving awareness of the environment, species and ecosystem management.
Understanding the spatial ecology of the Montserrat Black Iguana will help to improve management options and address the human-wildlife conflict between iguanas and farmers on Montserrat.
The Iguana is considered a threat to the economic wellbeing of farmers, however, the species found on island is believed to be genetically distinct from the green iguana and therefore possibly endemic to the island.
Data collected from the project will inform suitable management options to lessen human–wildlife conflict.
The invasive Casuarina equisetifolia Management and Biochar Production project outlines a 12-month initiative on Montserrat focused on the mapping, removal and control of the invasive species Casuarina and replacement with native trees.
The wood is of a quality fit for charcoal production and persons will be encouraged to use this product to enhance livelihoods.
The third project aims to develop capacity of staff of the Department of Environment and local community on sustainable forest management strategies.
This will generate a better understanding of Climate Change impacts among department staff, the community and the farming community who utilize lands on the fringes of the protected area and other areas of significant eco services importance.
It encourages community stewardship and empowerment through outreach, workshops and training.
The project will include reforestation and soil conservation and livelihood diversification activities such as tree planting campaigns, supporting the establishment of income-generating activities such as agroforestry in deforested areas and promoting the importance of forest conservation and sustainable resource utilization.
All 3 projects are designed to align with national priorities by fulfilling the Conservation and Environmental Management Act’s requirements for evidence- based management of native wildlife, contributing directly to national goals to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen local food systems, and reduce reliance on imports.
The projects also align with the Montserrat Physical
Development Plan, which promotes the rehabilitation of degraded landscapes, the maintenance of healthy ecosystems, and the sustainable use of land to reduce erosion and protection coastal and terrestrial habitats.
The projects fit into national priority and operational plan of the Department by building capacity which is a critical element of the 2025-2026 Strategic priority of the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and the Environment.
The projects are in the process of being implemented and come to an end in March of 2027.