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Mission complete! Third EU co-funded Visitor Centre opens on Anegada

- Anegada Rock Iguana Headstart Facility Visitor Centre commissioning marks completion of projected conceived some 12 years ago
Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), left, and Chairperson of the National Parks Trust (NPT) Ayana S. Hull unveil the plaque for the Anegada Rock Iguana Headstart Facility Visitor Centre on June 22, 2017. At right is Governor John S. Duncan OBE. Photo: VINO
Inside the Anegada Rock Iguana Headstart Facility Visitor Centre. Photo: VINO
Inside the Anegada Rock Iguana Headstart Facility Visitor Centre. Photo: VINO
Capturing a historic occasion. Photo: VINO
Capturing a historic occasion. Photo: VINO
Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) and Governor John S. Duncan OBE with students of the Claudia Creque Educational Centre. Photo: VINO
Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) and Governor John S. Duncan OBE with students of the Claudia Creque Educational Centre. Photo: VINO
Tasty iguana?!
Tasty iguana?!
Some of the persons at the commissioning of the Anegada Rock Iguana Headstart Facility Visitor Centre on June 22, 2017. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons at the commissioning of the Anegada Rock Iguana Headstart Facility Visitor Centre on June 22, 2017. Photo: VINO
Getting the facts about the endangered Anegada Rock Iguana. Photo: VINO
Getting the facts about the endangered Anegada Rock Iguana. Photo: VINO
Students of the Claudia Creque Educational Centre at the commissioning of the Anegada Rock Iguana Headstart Facility Visitor Centre on June 22, 2017. Photo: VINO
Students of the Claudia Creque Educational Centre at the commissioning of the Anegada Rock Iguana Headstart Facility Visitor Centre on June 22, 2017. Photo: VINO
The Anegada Rock Iguana Headstart Facility project began in 1997. Photo: VINO
The Anegada Rock Iguana Headstart Facility project began in 1997. Photo: VINO
The commissioning of the Anegada Rock Iguana Headstart Facility Visitor Centre constitutes the final leg of the National Parks Trust’s quest to build three Visitor Centres on three different islands of the VI. Photo: VINO
The commissioning of the Anegada Rock Iguana Headstart Facility Visitor Centre constitutes the final leg of the National Parks Trust’s quest to build three Visitor Centres on three different islands of the VI. Photo: VINO
Ninth District Representative Dr The Honourable Hubert O’Neal, left, presents Governor John S. Duncan OBE with framed photo of an Amerindian Conch Shell Mound as an appreciation on behalf of the people of the Sister Island. Photo: VINO
Ninth District Representative Dr The Honourable Hubert O’Neal, left, presents Governor John S. Duncan OBE with framed photo of an Amerindian Conch Shell Mound as an appreciation on behalf of the people of the Sister Island. Photo: VINO
Grade 2 student of the Claudia Creque Educational Centre, Asaud Smith and retired Senior Terrestrial Warden of the National Parks Trust (NPT), Rondel Smith cut the ribbon at the commissioning of the Anegada Rock Iguana Headstart Facility Visitor Centre on June 22, 2017. Photo: VINO
Grade 2 student of the Claudia Creque Educational Centre, Asaud Smith and retired Senior Terrestrial Warden of the National Parks Trust (NPT), Rondel Smith cut the ribbon at the commissioning of the Anegada Rock Iguana Headstart Facility Visitor Centre on June 22, 2017. Photo: VINO
Can you spot the Anegada Rock Iguana?
Can you spot the Anegada Rock Iguana?
Can you spot the Anegada Rock Iguana?
Can you spot the Anegada Rock Iguana?
THE SETTLEMENT, Anegada, VI- The Anegada Rock Iguana Headstart Facility in The Settlement, Anegada and nature tourism on the “sunken island” have received a boost with the commissioning of the Anegada Rock Iguana Headstart Facility Visitor Centre.

The commissioning ceremony and plaque unveiling were done yesterday, June 22, 2017 in the presence of Governor John S. Duncan OBE, Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), Ninth District Representative Dr The Honourable Hubert O’Neal, Chairperson of the National Parks Trust (NPT) Ayana S. Hull, NPT staff, a few residents of Anegada and a handful of students and teachers of the Claudia Creque Educational Centre.

The first of three European Union (EU)/National Parks Trust (NPT) funded Visitor Centres was commissioned on December 22, 2016 at Sage Mountain, with the second at Copper Mine Point on Friday January 27, 2017.

‘90% of biodiversity of British realm in Overseas Territories’

Governor Duncan remarked that the Sister Islands are particularly special; however, Anegada stands out as the only inhabited coral island that is unspoiled, beautiful and a remarkable jewel in the crown for the Virgin Islands.

“So it is quite fitting that we seek to protect the biodiversity of this wonderful island. And it is often forgotten that in the British realm, 90% of the biodiversity is in the overseas territories…”

The Governor then added that the iguana is not one of his favourite animals since “it doesn’t wag its tail” or chase a ball, “but it tends to look at you…Who are you? And rightly so because this animal has been here for millenniums,” Governor Duncan remarked, much to the amusement of persons at the ceremony, some who made remarks like “they born here” and “they have status too.”

“It has been here for millenniums and it is very important that we protect it, that we protect the species and we do everything we can to make sure that it continues and I really salute the work done here at this sanctuary,” Governor Duncan said.

Anegada more than just ‘sun & sand’

Dr Pickering gave a brief history of the Headstart Facility, which he said began in 1997 when the National Parks Trust partnered with scientists from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), to construct the cages for the endangered Anegada Rock Iguana.

The plan, he said, was to create a headstart facility for juvenile Anegada Rock Iguanas as their population numbers in the wild were very low, “in fact they were and still are considered critically endangered, which means there are less than 500 iguanas found in the wild in the native habitat of Anegada.”

The partnership has since continued with the Anegada Research Scientists coming annually to assist the National Parks Trust staff in monitoring the growth of the iguanas so they can be released annually once they reach a certain size, which is approximately 400 grams.

The recovery project so far has led to 300 iguanas being released since it began in 1997, with school children and residents of Anegada involved in the annual releases.

Dr Pickering added that the Visitor Centre will now provide visitors and residents an opportunity to learn more about the Anegada environment as it will not only include information about the Anegada Rock Iguana but will also showcase the diverse birdlife and unique plants, “some of which are only found on Anegada and nowhere else in the world.”

The EU funded Visitor Centre, he said, comes at a critical time in the development of the NPT and will also provide an office for the Trust to base itself on Anegada.

“And so I encourage everyone to help to promote the Anegada Rock Iguana Visitor Centre as we are one BVI and Anegada has much more to showcase than just sun and sand. Our plants, animals and history are unique to the Virgin Islands and we need to share this message with the world.”

Anegada Rock Iguana a possible cure for cancer?

Ninth District Representative Dr The Hon Hubert O’Neal said the Visitor Centre will add to the Anegada Rock Iguana Headstart Facility and that everyone should appreciate the fact that the Anegada Rock Iguana is exclusive to Anegada.

He stated that the iguana species was being threatened by development and its main predator, the common household cat.

And, according to Dr O’Neal, the Anegada Rock Iguana Headstart Facility is going to become a magnet for zoologists who will want to come and study the animal.

“This is important because out of these studies, who knows, maybe the Rock Iguana could produce a cure for cancer, who knows what can become of this facility,” added Dr O’Neal before presenting a framed photo of an Amerindian Conch Shell Mound on Anegada to Governor Duncan as an appreciation on behalf of the people of the Sister Island.

A proverbial 1000-mile journey completed

Chairperson of the NPT, Ayana S. Hull described the commissioning of the Visitor Centre as the proverbial 1000 mile journey for the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands that began with a single step.

The commissioning, she said, constituted the final leg of the Trust’s quest to build three Visitor Centres on three different islands as well as three vending units at The Baths National Park in Virgin Gorda in fulfilment of the European Union co-funded project that was conceived some 12 years ago.

“As this Visitor Centre begins to serve as a place of welcome and discovery for all who come to visit, tourists and residents, students and scientists, patrons and volunteers, they will all find information here and intrigue in the vivid multi-media displays that will develop over time to interpret and communicate the progress of the species recovery programme as it grows from strength to strength.”

Ms Hull said the NPT looks forward to transforming the Visitor Centre from just a building into a veritable centre of research, learning and discovery that empowers the people of Anegada and the wider Virgin Islands to support the recovery and restoration of a “true four-footed BVIslander,” the Anegada Rock Iguana.

Meanwhile, Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) was slated to be at the commissioning but, according to Dr Pickering, he had to pull out at the last minute to attend to “matters of state.”

13 Responses to “Mission complete! Third EU co-funded Visitor Centre opens on Anegada”

  • Hi5 (23/06/2017, 08:25) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good job everyone. This is a great initiative
  • ABC (23/06/2017, 08:50) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    How they say dr pickering not working?
    • long look boy (23/06/2017, 22:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Dr. Pickering can stay he has stayed true to his principles over the years
  • Nosie (23/06/2017, 08:55) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Where was Kelly Bradly for all of this
  • parent (23/06/2017, 09:48) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dr Smith was a no show he was fast asleep and he boycotted SMH
  • VG (23/06/2017, 11:40) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope this one remains open as the Copper Mine Center had and opening and the doors have been closed ever since.
  • leadership (23/06/2017, 12:31) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    SEE Dr. Pickering doing good things but he is not like another minister jumping in front the camera this Doc is the real deal!!! Premier material I telling you
  • foxy (23/06/2017, 15:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Very good idea we must protect the envioroment
  • observer (23/06/2017, 16:53) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Glad to see this. However, the funding came from the EU prior to Brexit. What happens to these sorts of projects when we can't access EU money?
  • Katie (25/06/2017, 19:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a wonderful step forward for Anegada and its inhabitants. Preserving the Iguana species found in Anegada has certainly been a work in progress.
  • Candi (28/06/2017, 16:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I must applaud the Anegadians for their efforts. Kudos to you all.

    On another note, people can't find Bertie when the 9th district is falling apart, but you better believe he's cooling with the iguanas. He didn't even had the decency to wake up doc. While you're over there you should address some of the issues those people have cause they've been neglected for too long.

    ummm are there any people from St Vincent living in Anegada? We can't keep a iguana on the other islands since they move here.


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