Keeping the Coast Clear in Antigua and Barbuda

A group of Adopt-a-coastline volunteers and local youth stewards collaborate to cleanup Windward Bay, located in Falmouth Harbor, Antigua, West Indies. © Courtesy of Jannika Lindbohm for Adopt-a-coastline

Keeping the Coast Clear in Antigua and Barbuda

The dual-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda—famed for its dynamic offering of two distinct yet complementary Caribbean experiences—has long been the destination of choice for visitors seeking luxurious hideaways, idyllic beaches, and untouched nature.

The larger sibling, Antigua, claims a fascinating naval history and has become a mecca for cuisine, sailing, romance, and excursions. Ringed by coral reefs and coastal caves, quieter Barbuda remains mostly unspoiled, its offshore cays home to rare species of reptiles and its large central lagoon hosting the largest colony of the Magnificent Frigatebird in The Caribbean. The people of both islands are famously hospitable, ensuring all visits to Antigua and Barbuda begin and end with a smile.

As is the case in many Caribbean destinations, Antigua and Barbuda’s environmental health is intertwined with that of its economy. The country’s captivating aquatic and avian biodiversity are major tourism draws, sustained by a stunning coastline and teeming reef systems. Perhaps the most salient threat to these critically important natural spaces is Sargassum. Fuelled by manmade pollution of the seas, this stinking seaweed is “blooming” at an explosive rate, choking ecosystems, devastating reefs, and smothering otherwise picturesque beaches when it washes up on shore. There are other challenges: as more travellers flock to Antigua and Barbuda to discover the country’s legendary beaches, they inevitably leave proof of their visit in nonbiodegradable trash.

While the war against Sargassum is a wider regional concern, a group of Antigua and Barbuda locals are taking a decidedly active role in the welfare of their beaches. From their base of operations in the historic Antigua town of English Harbour, the volunteers of the non-profit Adopt-a-coastline have become one of the leading forces for community-driven coastal stewardship in the country. Founded by resident Jennifer Meranto in 2009 after she began to ponder her own environmental footprint, Adopt-a-coastline has since empowered Antiguans and Barbudans to take greater ownership of their environment, organizing both on- and offshore cleanups of common offenders like broken glass, plastics, and floating debris. While the effort is spearheaded by volunteers, it’s quickly gained support from the country’s tourism partners, who have lent their considerable resources to cleanups of Carlisle Bay Beach and Johnson’s Point, among others.

Inspiringly, Adopt-a-coastline’s mission has transcended industry partnerships to become something truly generational. Drawing upon a growing team of youth stewards from local schools, Adopt-a-coastline is imbuing the next generation of Antiguans and Barbudans with deep respect and an early sense of responsibility for the abundant nature of their home. These youth stewards have been instrumental in tree plantings across the island, refreshing populations of coconut palms and creating sustainable fruit gardens for Antiguans and Barbudans of all ages and means to enjoy. “The positioning of youth as the leaders and spokespeople is at the program's core and is key to its success,” said Meranto. “We wanted from the start to invest time and energy into the youth sector. They have become the voices and leaders of our campaign to inspire stewardship across the nation.”

Today, Adopt-a-coastline is showing no signs of slowing down. The organization was recently recognized with a grant from the United Nations' Global Environment Facility (GEF) for its work with Antigua and Barbuda’s young women and girls, whose success as coastal ambassadors will now see the program rolled out to three additional islands in the region. Adopt-a-coastline chronicles each grassroots cleanup initiative on its social media pages, allowing the curious to follow along through each compelling video. Through its store in English Harbour, Adopta-coastline supports its efforts by selling unique pieces of artwork and jewellry crafted from recycled materials—and teaching local youth how to do the same. Visitors and guests to Antigua and Barbuda are welcomed by organizers to participate with open arms, making the quest to keep Antigua and Barbuda beautiful a truly global undertaking. There’s no better time to see the coasts for yourself! Plan your trip today at visitantiguabarbuda.com