Environmental Education

Monty’s Messenger was a program established by the MNT pre-volcano, to engage school children and develop their love for Montserrat’s environment, including the Montserrat oriole with its nickname “Monty”. It was also an exciting way for children to explore local forests and wetlands, learn more about Montserrat’s nature and culture and embrace their responsibility to it.

MNT introduced Monty’s Messengers to a new generation; giving them the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities including (but not limited to):
  • Learning about Montserrat’s history and culture;
  • Creating posters, leaflets, flyers and fact sheets;
  • Learning about different habitats including: dry and wet forests;
  • Improving observation and analytical skills;
  • Observing and protecting the environment;
  • Learning how to use a map and compass;
  • Carrying out wildlife surveys;
  • Journaling about nature;
  • Learning about ecosystems.
Flyer calling for volunteers
Flyer calling for volunteers
MNT launched a Monty’s Messengers Logo Design competition in February 2022 for children between the ages of 5 – 11. The competition had the following criteria:
  • The logo must include the Montserrat Male Oriole.
  • The logo must depict the colours of the Montserrat Male Oriole and the Trust -yellow, black, green and white .
  • The logo must include the words Monty’s Messenger.
  • The logo has to be original and cartoonish – hand/digitally drawn.
  • The logo must include some aspect of the Montserrat National Trust and or the environment in which the Oriole lives.

    • The winning logo, pictured combined several of the winning designs.
    Monty's Logo

    Monty's Messenger Sessions

    Chris and David sampling

    Aquatic invertebrates at Olveston Bridge

    A group of children visited the Olveston Bridge as part of summer activities. Here MNT's Chris Sealys and visiting insect expert, David Clements are looking for freshwater invertebrates and looking out for a crayfish.

    Monty's collect on the beach

    Natural History Collecting

    The group started the afternoon in the Museum then walked down to Little Bay. Rebecca Machin spoke about natural history collections, which are a good way to help us understand the world around us and how it changes over time.

    Craft session Monty's

    Craft session

    Monty’s Messengers made use of plastic bottles turning them into bird feeders. MNT's Chris Sealys and visiting horticulturalist, Leigh Morris and volunteers provided the materials, but the children provided the imagination. More images of the creations are on the MNT Facebook page.

    Bird watching

    Bird watching

    The bird watching session for the Monty’s Messenger was done in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture. Miss Ajhermae White and Mr Stephon Hixon gave the group a fantastic presentation on migrating birds. More images here

    Monty's hike

    Hiking to Dry Waterfall

    Monty's is all about adventure. Montserrat is blessed with so many hiking trails. The children led the way on this journey to the dry water fall. It was full of fun and laughter and some sleepy children (and adults) at the end. More photos here

    Freshwater sampling

    Freshwater sampling

    The Monty's took a walk down to Nantes River to explore the freshwater habitat . Ajhermae White from the Department of Environment took a net and other sampling equipment. They even caught a crayfish. Some of the adults had never seen one.

    Monty's Bioblitz

    Montserrat Bioblitz

    Monty's Messengers were invited to the Trust to help observe and record animal and plant species in the Montserrat Botanic Garden and EcoPlay site. Highlights included looking down a microscope! See more

    Launch of Logo competition

    Logo competition lauch

    The competition was launched in February. Vernaire Bass attended several schools to promote the event. See the winning designs which were combined to make the final logo here