By Aabigayle McIntosh

In 2018, Arica Hill started her journey with the Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) as the Executive Director working over the past few years to not only transform the organization, but also transforming the minds of Antiguans and Barbuda’s to think differently when it comes to protecting and preserving the environment.

She also helped to develop volunteer programmes that have increased the number of people who give their time on weekends and weeknights to conservation from a mere 10 to well over 100.

As of May 1, Hill will be leaving her post at EAG to join the organization’s longtime partner, Fauna & Flora, as the Caribbean Lead for their Caribbean programme.

Hill reflected on her journey on Thursday during an interview on Twin Island Media.

“There was this very strong feeling that advocacy for the environment had to only be done with us always fighting, always fighting over bulldozers and being a particular type of advocacy which I do believe is necessary but it’s not the only story.

“But for the past five and a half years what I believe have been the strength of what we built together has been really to be able to share a different way of advocacy and the advocacy now looks like very strong environmental work and strong education work, not just with children but also with adults and getting people to see, touch and feel the environment,” Hill said.

She spoke of Redonda being designated as a Protected area which she admits took a very long time through a collaborative process.

“I feel very comforted by the fact that we have a very strong team. Really excellent coordinators who are beyond capable and who are not just kind of pushing forward with this discipline of hope. But also being strong as strategic managers and developers and scientist. So, I am very pleased with the past five and a half years and I am very excited as well for the next steps,” she continued.

As the Caribbean lead for the EAG’s longtime partner, Fauna & Flora Hill will be able to support the EAG from a different standpoint and other non-government organization.