The St. Mary’s Biosphere Reserve (SMBR) in St. Kitts and Nevis, the first of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean, has garnered significant attention from UNESCO throughout 2024. Established in 2011 under the Man and Biosphere (MAB) program, the SMBR stands as a beacon of biodiversity conservation for small island nations. UNESCO recognizes the reserve as a model for other island ecosystems, highlighting its crucial role in preserving biodiversity in a vulnerable environment. The recent focus on the SMBR stems from a second phase of the Earth Network project, an initiative aimed at strengthening sustainable agricultural practices within the reserve. This project, supported by UNESCO and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, builds upon the SMBR’s foundation, aiming to further enhance its contribution to both biodiversity and the local community.
The Earth Network project brought Dr. Haydi Berrenstein, a prominent biodiversity expert from Suriname, to work alongside the SMBR National Coordinator and the MAB committee. Dr. Berrenstein’s expertise has been instrumental in addressing critical aspects of agricultural practices within the reserve, including cultivation methods, preservation techniques, and the development of sustainable agricultural processes that harness and capitalize on the rich biodiversity of the area. Her work zeroes in on specific challenges facing the reserve, seeking solutions that align with the unique ecological characteristics of St. Kitts and Nevis. The project’s long-term vision involves the establishment of a Neem processing plant for chemical-free fertilizer and pest control, the creation of a seed bank for heat and drought-resistant indigenous seeds, and the construction of greenhouses to foster reforestation efforts through an indigenous plant nursery. These initiatives are poised to significantly impact the resilience and sustainability of agriculture within the SMBR and the wider Federation.
Dr. Berrenstein’s engagement extended beyond technical expertise. She conducted comprehensive consultations with a diverse range of stakeholders – farmers, business owners, students, government officials, academics, NGO representatives, and private sector actors – to ensure that the project’s objectives resonated with the local community’s aspirations and needs. This participatory approach is crucial to foster ownership and ensure the project’s long-term success. The consultations provided valuable insights into local perspectives, enabling Dr. Berrenstein to tailor the project’s social, economic, and community impact goals to maximize community buy-in and engagement. As a direct result of these interactions, Dr. Berrenstein is now finalizing a funding proposal to secure international support for the project’s implementation in 2025.
Central to the project’s strategy is the establishment of a seed bank to preserve agrobiodiversity. Recognizing the potential threat of seed scarcity to sustainable agriculture and the preservation of native plant species, the seed bank will act as a repository of traditional varieties, bolstering the resilience of the local agricultural system. Complementing the seed bank, an agricultural nursery will be established to cultivate stable shrubs and native tropical trees, further supporting reforestation efforts within the SMBR. This combined approach will also extend to fruit and vegetable cultivation, facilitating the propagation and eventual transplantation of seedlings and saplings throughout the reserve.
The UNESCO National Commission Secretariat, under the leadership of Secretary General H.E. Nerys Dockery, organized a two-day consultation to facilitate dialogue and information sharing around the Earth Network project. Emphasis was placed on the project’s significance in the nation’s broader pursuit of sustainable development. The initiative aligns with the Federation’s goal of becoming a Sustainable Island State by leveraging the SMBR’s biodiversity assets for economic empowerment and community education in sustainable agricultural practices. The robust discussions during the consultation provided invaluable feedback and helped refine the project’s impact goals, ensuring that the initiatives resonate with the communities served by the SMBR and lead to their empowerment.
Ambassador David Doyle, the Federation’s permanent delegate to UNESCO in Paris, has been instrumental in securing support for the Earth Network project, working closely with UNESCO experts and the Italian Ambassador to UNESCO, Liborio Stellino, whose government provided funding for the project’s initial phases. This international collaboration underscores the global significance of the SMBR and its role in promoting sustainable development. The combined efforts of local stakeholders, international experts, and diplomatic representatives highlight the collective commitment to preserving the unique biodiversity of St. Kitts and Nevis while empowering the local community through sustainable agricultural practices. The SMBR stands as a testament to the power of international cooperation in addressing critical environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development in small island developing states.