The Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) is actively working to introduce low-impact tourism to Redonda, a rugged, uninhabited island nestled between Antigua and Montserrat. Their goal is to strike a balance between protecting the island’s delicate ecosystem and funding the group’s conservation efforts.

“We want to bring people to experience this unique space while ensuring that the wildlife—especially the species found nowhere else in the world—remains undisturbed,” said Johnella Bradshaw, Redonda Ecosystem Reserve Coordinator.

The EAG, which led the restoration of Redonda, recently welcomed Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Brigadier General Telbert Benjamin to the island on November 29. The visit allowed government officials to see firsthand the success of the EAG’s conservation efforts, including the eradication of invasive species like rats and goats.

Following the visit, Prime Minister Browne suggested that Redonda could become a key destination for both tourism and environmental conservation. He proposed the development of nature trails and the establishment of restaurants on the island to ensure long-term sustainability. However, Bradshaw stressed that Redonda, now a protected Ecosystem Reserve, follows a strict governance framework that balances conservation and tourism.

“We need to adopt tourism models that respect Redonda’s delicate ecosystem,” Bradshaw explained. “Ideas we’re considering include:

  • Guided Tours: Educational trips that highlight the island’s unique biodiversity.
  • Conservation Experiences: Opportunities for visitors to participate in ecological monitoring and restoration.
  • Camping Expeditions: Controlled stays that allow visitors to immerse themselves in Redonda’s natural environment.”

Funding for such efforts remains a critical concern. As a nonprofit, EAG is heavily dependent on grants, which account for 99% of its funding. To reduce reliance on external donors, the organization plans to introduce low-impact tourism products by 2025. Ideas include limited guided tours, conservation work experiences, and camping expeditions to engage visitors in hands-on ecological monitoring. “We want to ensure Redonda becomes a model for public-private partnerships in protected area management.”

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The future of Redonda will depend on the decisions of a dedicated management body, modeled after the national parks systems in countries like Costa Rica or New Zealand. This body will include representatives from the government, conservation organizations, local communities, and private stakeholders, ensuring that all voices are heard in the decision-making process.

Bradshaw highlighted several key management challenges that will need to be addressed:

  • Defining Carrying Capacity: Determining how many visitors Redonda can sustain without damaging its ecosystem.
  • Enforcing Biosecurity Measures: Strict controls to prevent the reintroduction of invasive species.
  • Tourism Revenue Sharing: Ensuring that funds generated through tourism are reinvested into conservation and community projects.

“Our role is to maintain Redonda’s ecological integrity and ensure its long-term protection,” Bradshaw added. “Tourism will be part of that future, but it must be carefully managed within the framework of the Ecosystem Reserve’s objectives.”

She said the EAG is happy that the prime minister sees value in the work of the group, recalling that a lot of hard work has been put into restoring the island and keeping invasive species out is of top priority.

The rehabilitation project, which began in 2016, successfully removed invasive rats and goats that had decimated the island’s vegetation, allowing Redonda’s ecosystem to recover. In 2023, Redonda was officially designated as an Ecosystem Reserve under Antigua and Barbuda’s laws.

Prime Minister Browne has called Redonda an “important asset” for Antigua & Barbuda for both tourism and maritime exercises.

The next step is to formalize a public-private partnership between the government and the EAG to ensure transparency and bring diverse perspectives to the island’s future management. Bradshaw emphasized the importance of this partnership, saying, “It brings together all stakeholders to guide Redonda’s future in a way that balances tourism, conservation, and community interests.”