CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP IN THE CARIBBEAN

FACT SHEET 2015

OUR VISION
Healthy, functional marine and terrestrial Caribbean ecosystems enabling ecologically and
economically sustainable development to meet both human and wildlife needs.

CLiC is an interdisciplinary, capacity-developing, experiential, and mentored regional training program.

This newly established conservation-training

fellowship emerged from a pilot program in
2012-2014 offered by the Emerging Wildlife
Conservation Leaders (EWCL) training program.
The 20 fellows participating in the program come
from 13 different countries throughout the wider
Caribbean region.
The fellows possesses a variety of skills
and qualifications including advanced degrees
and several years of conservation experience
in the field.
20 Fellows from 13 countries in the Wider Caribbean
As a part of this comprehensive theoretical and
experiential training program they are working in five different teams on projects related to: Endemic & Endangered
Species, Invasive Species, Trafficked Species, Critical Habitats and Critical Threats.

CLiC Board of Directors

A qualified and dedicated group of professionals.
Kelvin Alie
Washington DC Program Director, Wildlife Trade, IFAW
Michelle Benham,
Owner / Multimedia Producer, Longleaf Films
Dr. Leo Douglas
President, BirdsCaribbean
Dr. Andrea Easter-Pilcher
Senior Associate Dean , School of Arts and Sciences,
and Professor, Department of Biology, Ecology and
Conservation , St. Georges University, Grenada
Dr. Heather E. Eves
Visiting Assistant Professor Virginia Tech &
Professorial Lecturer Johns Hopkins SAIS
Nadra Nathai-Gyan,
Conservation Advisor to the Zoological Society of
Trinidad and Tobago (CLiC Program Coordinator)

CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP IN THE CARIBBEAN

2015-2016 CONSERVATION PROJECTS
Wildlife Trafficking
Wildlife trafficking is a multibillion dollar global industry and is a major threat to wild animal populations in the
Caribbean. The project targets illegally trafficked live wild animals through ports of entry and exit of Trinidad and
New Providence, Bahamas. The team aims to improve wildlife law enforcement capacity.
CLiC Fellows: Scott Johnson, Bahamas National Trust, Bahamas | Kareena Anderson, Design Engineering Services,
Trinidad and Tobago | Sharleen Khan, Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago Inc., Trinidad and Tobago | Laura
Baboolal, Trinidad and Tobago.

Critical Habitat
Dynamic mangrove ecosystems are at the forefront of Caribbean biodiversity and coastline protection for
Caribbean communities. At the interface of the land and sea, a healthy mangrove ecosystem can shelter
ecologically and economically significant marine life, reduce the cost of repairs from storm damage while
moderating coastal erosion. The Critical Habitat team will address the threat of coastal development and aims to
restore mangrove habitat in Nicaragua.
CLiC Fellows: Agnessa Lundy, The Bahamas National Trust, The Bahamas | Rochelle Reneau, Belize Coalition to
Save Our Natural Heritage, Belize | Jennifer Solis, Fundacin para la Autonoma y el Desarrollo de la Costa Atlntica
de Nicaragua, Nicaragua | Melvin Archbold, Bluefields Indian and Caribbean University, Nicaragua
Critically Endangered
The CLiC team from Grenada and Anguilla have decided to tackle the key issues associated with the critically
endangered Hawksbill turtles. Within the Caribbean region there are limited programs to effectively address this
growing problem and more specifically the continued exploitation and reduced numbers of this iconic sea turtle.
The team aims to work with fisheries and property owners to reduce threats -over harvesting, light pollution - to
secure safe habitat and a future for hawksbill turtles.
CLiC Fellows: Jonnel Edwards, Lab Demonstrator SGU & Environmental Manager, Mount Cinnamon Resort,
Grenada | Leon Radix, Instructor in the Department of Biology, Ecology and Conservation, SGU, Grenada | Janeczka
Richardson, Marine and Coastal Conservation Officer, Anguilla National Trust, Anguilla | Carisha Thomas, Project
Coordinator for Birdsleuth Grenada, Grenada.
Critical Threat
Overfishing due to its pervasiveness in the Caribbean has become a critical threat to the region's coral reefs. In Jamaica, culturally influenced preference for parrotfish has led to overharvesting. The decline in this key herbivorous
group has compromised the natural resilience of the reef. The Critical Threat Project has a vision to see a healthy
parrotfish population inhabiting a flourishing reef ecosystem utilized by an environmentally engaged and conscious
society.
CLiC Fellows: Carla Daniel, Barbados Sea Turtle Project, Barbados | Gabrielle-Jae Watson, Jamaica Conservation and
Development Trust, Jamaica | Mario Sanchez Rodriquez from Fundacion Mario Dary, Guatemala | Kyle Mitchell, Nature Seekers, Trinidad.
Invasives
Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to native biodiversity in the Caribbean region. The invasion of lionfish creates one of the greatest conservation challenges facing the region today. By working with international and/
or local partners to implement locally viable solutions through an action plan we aim to reduce the population of
lionfish in Corales de Profundidad park, a key marine protected area in Colombia. This dynamic plan will create a
viable MPA with resilient coral reefs, and increase public awareness for the promotion of lionfish as a cuisine.
CLiC Fellows: Mabel Nava, Sea Turtle Conservation, Bonaire | Algernon Grant, Forestry Unit, Antigua | Machel Sulton,
Dominica Forestry Wildlife & Parks Division, Dominica | Luz Helena Rodrguez, Colombia

CLiC is a cooperate agreement among

W: conservationcaribbean.weebly.com
E: conservationcaribbean@gmail.com
Images used under CC V 4.0, obtained from www.flicker.com, Group photo provided by St. Georges University