The Transboundary Grenadines, including Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) have been part of EPIC’s story and a strategic focal area for conservation for more than 16 years. Our first seabird surveys revealed the global importance of islands like Battowia and the Pillories, SVG. Those early research visits relied on small boats, long hikes, and binoculars, and they laid the foundation for a large body of work that followed.
As EPIC celebrates 25 years of conservation, the Grenadines remain one of the most important places we work. What began as a few initial surveys has grown into one of the most ambitious, five-year seabird and habitat restoration efforts in the Lesser Antilles.
This past year represents a major step forward. Field teams completed boat, land, and drone surveys that created the first complete baseline of seabird populations and nesting sites on Battowia and the Pillories. The results confirmed what EPIC documented more than a decade ago. Battowia supports one of the largest Red-footed Booby colonies in the Lesser Antilles. In addition, the Pillories continue to be a vital nesting site for Red-billed Tropicbirds, Bridled Terns, Brown Boobies, and Laughing Gulls.
New technology is now helping us in ways that were not possible during those early years. Our EPIC team and partners from the SVG Forestry Department, Fisheries, National Parks, and the Coast Guard completed EPIC-led drone training sessions. Participants learned flight safety, how to operate cameras, how to collect data, and how to use drones to safely survey steep cliff colonies that are difficult or dangerous to reach. The drone has already recorded heat-mapping imagery that highlights important nesting hotspots.
Survey work also showed the scale of habitat degradation caused by invasive species such as goats. These animals remove vegetation that tree-nesting species need. They also leave ground-nesting birds exposed to predators and erosion. The findings support the need for vegetation recovery and long term restoration planning. Some of the recent erosion was also caused by Hurricane Beryl.
Education and outreach also expanded this year. More than 500 students, teachers, community members, and forestry staff participated in EPIC activities across SVG. Workshops increased knowledge about local seabirds and helped people understand why islands like Battowia and the Pillories are important to the region. EPIC also began early outreach with local goat owners to understand their needs and to build community support for the restoration process.
Meet the Grenadines Team!
Behind this work is a dedicated local team that keeps the Grenadines program moving forward. Project Coordinator Allanson Cruickshank oversees on-the-ground planning, coordination, and partnerships across SVG, ensuring surveys, training, and restoration activities are implemented effectively. Joshua Gooding, Project Assistant, supports field research and monitoring, contributing to seabird population assessments, coastal ecosystem surveys, and restoration data collection. As Lead Educator, Lystra Culzac leads education and outreach efforts, working closely with schools, communities, and forestry staff to build long-term understanding and stewardship of the Grenadines’ seabirds and habitats. Dr. Simone Lewis joined EPIC in 2025. As a Grenadian expect in water resources, climate, and knowledge management, she serves as a liaison between EPIC Headquarters and the Grenadines field team, while also networking, grant writing, and providing conservation management guidance.
The progress in the Grenadines shows how far our work has come since the first surveys 16 years ago. We have gone from basic species counts to mapping entire colonies with advanced drone technology. The next five years will bring even more restoration work, stronger community involvement, and new conservation achievements.
The story of the Grenadines is not only about seabirds. It is also about healthy islands, protected coastlines, and strong communities. EPIC is proud to continue this work alongside our many partners and to build on the legacy of the past 25 years.
Support the Next Phase of Conservation
Your support fuels the research, education, and conservation programs that safeguard the Caribbean’s extraordinary natural and cultural heritage. We hope you’ll join us in protecting the vulnerable places and communities that make these islands extraordinary. Your gift can make an EPIC impact today!
