EAG Launches Two Community Conversations Across NEMMA Villages on Proposed Wildlife Sanctuary

The Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) is expanding its national outreach with two community consultations, as it considers establishing a new wildlife sanctuary within the North East Marine Management Area (NEMMA), a move that could pave the way for the return of the critically endangered Antiguan Racer Snake to mainland Antigua and Barbuda.

The EAG says the proposed sanctuary would not only protect native species but also create opportunities for community development, eco-tourism, jobs, and environmental education.

To ensure residents play a central role in the decision-making process, the organisation is moving directly into villages that are most affected or most involved.

First Meeting: Parham & Pares — Thursday 11th December 2025
Residents of Parham and Pares are invited to the first community conversation on Thursday 11 December 2025, at Ounces Ice Cream Parlor & Grill, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The session will focus on how the proposed sanctuary could benefit the area by restoring wildlife, improving natural spaces, and creating potential economic opportunities.

Attendees can learn about the project’s potential impact on Parham and Pares, discuss tourism and job opportunities, voice concerns and questions, and provide feedback for the national conservation study.
Residents may RSVP at bit.ly/EAGMeetingRSVP and will have the chance to win prizes.

Second Meeting: Seaglans, Willikies, Newfield, Freetown & St. Philip’s — Monday 15th December 2025.
A second consultation takes place on Monday 15 December 2025, targeting residents of Seaglans, Willikies, Newfield, Freetown, and St. Philip’s. This meeting will be held at the Glanvilles Community Centre from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Like the Parham and Pares session, the event will explore how community members can help shape the sanctuary and how it may influence local livelihoods, tourism, and natural resource management.

The EAG emphasized the importance of contributions from these communities, which border the NEMMA and are closely connected to its ecosystems.

“It’s our islands, our wildlife, our voice — so we need to hear from you,” the organisation noted in its announcement. “Your feedback goes directly into the national study.”

Both meetings are part of a larger nationwide consultation supported by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF).

The EAG is urging individuals from all seven communities to attend the session nearest to them, bring a friend, and share their views. Both meetings include prize giveaways and open discussions designed to ensure no voice is left out.

As Antigua and Barbuda charts the next steps in wildlife conservation within the NEMMA, the EAG says community input will be instrumental in shaping a sanctuary that balances ecological protection with social and economic benefits.