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Environment and sustainable development coordinator: Rhon

This Case Study belongs to Nature conservation officer.

My time spent at the University of Exeter’s Cornwall Campus studying for an MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation was quite rewarding. Shortly after graduating I was successful in gaining employment with the Government of Anguilla’s Department of Environment.

I must say that the research skills and knowledge that I acquired from the Masters were very beneficial, as I have to utilise them in my current post as sustainable development coordinator. My work is quite extensive as it involves reviewing and providing feedback on environmental impact assessments, liaising with consultants on upgrading and implementing legislation, as well as the formulation of a National Biodiversity and Action Plan for the island. Apart from this, a great deal of my work focuses on developing an invasive species strategy.

I consider my work to be quite exciting as it involves both administration and field work. One of my most exciting projects to date is an assessment for rats on one of the offshore cays. This project involved spending three weeks (camping) on an offshore cay (Dog Island), which is recognised as an important bird nesting area, to gather data on the invasive black rats (Rattus rattus), and their potential impact on nesting seabird populations. This project, which was done in partnership with the Anguilla National Trust, Department of Environment and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, also allowed me the opportunity to conduct various types of ecological surveys on animal species. Apart from this, I must state that I am proud to have been the president of the Anguilla National Trust for the past two years, and also assist this organisation with collecting bird data.

In the field of conservation, communication is extremely important if one is to convince someone to change his/her negative behaviour/practices. Therefore, my job involves a great deal of promoting environmental public awareness. This is quite a challenge, especially since the island is experiencing an economic boom in its tourism industry. In spite of this challenge however, I remain committed to the task of promoting sustainable development for the survival of our fragile ecosystems and the future generations of Anguilla.

Case Study sourced by Mary McCarthy of University of Exeter, 27 August 2008.