The project was part-funded by the UK Government’s Darwin Plus (DPLUS155) from October 2021 to September 2024.  It built on earlier work under “Adopt a Home for Wildlife” initiative which allows individuals, organisations, community groups and businesses to maintain and protect a public or private space, in partnership with the Montserrat National Trust (MNT). It is one realistic opportunity of safeguarding and restoring pockets of habitats, e.g. tropical dry forest, across the island.

During the pilot phase UKOTCF and MNT worked with several land-owners, producing some immediate and positive outcomes for biodiversity. For example, the large stand of Casuarina (a highly invasive Australian species found in the Caribbean) was removed from much of the Belham Valley area, but carefully keeping those native species, which provide important coastal defence and natural shade for a recreation area.

The project aims to reduce pressure on Montserrat’s globally important endemic/native plants and invertebrates, by managing invasive plant species, through community-led site-management and/or restoration. In turn this will enhance biodiversity alongside people while providing sustainable small- enterprise opportunities and increasing community-wellbeing.