Caribbean Currents Newsletter

I am delighted to welcome you to the second issue of Caribbean Currents for 2024. It is impossible to share all that we have underway, but it is a wonderful glimpse at the breadth of The Nature Conservancy’s conservation work in this diverse and amazing region. 

I was grateful to participate in TNC’s 20th anniversary celebration in The Bahamas, alongside current and former TNC staff. Government officials and community partners expressed appreciation for TNC’s history of collaboration,  a wonderful validation of our work across the Caribbean. The article highlights some of the major achievements in The Bahamas where we remain committed to deepening our engagement and contributions to conservation!

Our Science Team is always on the cutting edge of conservation science and technology, and their latest initiatives is plunging us into the deep sea. A recently completed project to map the deep sea and identify important areas for supporting deep sea biodiversity is nothing short of ground-breaking, and will no doubt allow us to deepen our conservation work in the region (pun intended!)

TNC works to advance conservation in 17 Caribbean countries and territories and in June, our Board of Trustees convened their annual retreat in Jamaica, where TNC has been involved for more than 30 years. While there, Board members learned about the conservation work being carried out by our Jamaica team and connected with tourism leaders who understand the link between healthy ecosystems and a healthy tourism economy. Our discussions were both productive and inspired future collaboration.

We are also excited to share updates on the multinational CoralCarib project which advances climate-smart approaches to coral conservation and restoration in four countries that contain 60% of all coral reefs in the Caribbean. Through innovative approaches and community partnerships, this project is equipping these countries with the tools to combat the threats facing our reefs and ensure their resilience in the face of climate change.

“Together, We Will Rise”, brings you an awe-inspiring article on how Caribbean residents in the affected islands have responded to the destructive category 4 Hurricane Beryl. This piece is a testimony to the resilience and strength of Caribbean people in the face of natural disasters. It also reminds us that climate change is an existential challenge that must be addressed head on, with global and local action. 

—Dr. Rob Brumbaugh