MNT Youth & Education Programme
Monty’s Messengers were re-established as part of the DPLUS155 project, rekindling a passion for nature and conservation among the young people of Montserrat. Building on that momentum, the DPLUS192 project opened exciting new doors for even more young voices to get involved — giving rise to Monty’s Ambassadors, a group of enthusiastic individuals ready to champion biodiversity and well-being across the island. This page celebrates some of the wonderful activities and achievements that took place throughout both projects. The story doesn’t end here though — the greatest legacy of all is that both Monty’s Messengers and Monty’s Ambassadors will continue to thrive as active groups within the Montserrat National Trust, ensuring that the next generation remains at the heart of conservation for years to come
Monty's Messengers
Monty's Messengers — the project's enthusiastic cohort of primary school children — proved during a previous project that they were some of the most passionate advocates for conservation that the project could have hoped for. Attending events and activities throughout the project, these young participants threw themselves into the world of biodiversity with curiosity and energy, taking part in BioBlitz surveys and helping to bring the natural wonders of Montserrat to life. Their contributions also fed into the development of the conservation toolkit, ensuring it was accessible and engaging for the youngest audiences. Perhaps most importantly, Monty's Messengers took their newfound knowledge beyond the project and into their homes, classrooms, and communities, spreading vital conservation messages and proving that it is never too early to become a steward of the natural world. The Montserrat National Trust regularly shares updates on the group. You can see these here.
Monty's Ambassadors
Monty's Ambassadors, made up of students post-primary school, brought an older and equally vital voice to the project's conservation mission. They were founded during the project as a result of feedback during a radio session in 2022. Engaging across a range of events and activities, the Ambassadors participated in BioBlitz surveys, contributed meaningfully to the toolkit's development, and served as credible and relatable messengers for biodiversity conservation among their peers and wider community. Their involvement reflected a deeper level of engagement, with students taking ownership of the project's values and carrying its messages forward with confidence and commitment. As young adults on the cusp of shaping Montserrat's future, Monty's Ambassadors embody the long-term vision at the heart of this project, a generation that understands, values, and actively protects the extraordinary natural environment they have inherited.
Higher Education Evening
Throughout the project, higher education evenings were held on three separate occasions, each designed to open doors and broaden horizons for participants. These evenings brought students, academics, and professionals together to explore pathways that many attendees had never previously considered accessible to them. Central to each session was a powerful and recurring message:
YOU CAN BE WHAT YOU SEE
When young people and emerging professionals are exposed to role models who look like them, come from similar backgrounds, or have overcome comparable challenges, the possibility of achieving something becomes tangible rather than abstract. Representation in higher education is not merely symbolic — it is transformational. Seeing someone who shares your story standing in a place you aspire to reach makes that destination feel real, achievable, and worth pursuing. These three evenings served not just as information events, but as moments of genuine inspiration, planting seeds of ambition and self-belief that can grow long after the project concludes.
Below are some Facebook posts from the Montserrat National Trust’s Facebook page showcasing the events throughout the project. Contributions from a number of organisations during the last three years, including from the Department of Environment, Disaster Management Coordination Agency, Island Solutions incorporated and the Office of the Governor, will ensure longevity of the initiative as an annual event.
Bioblitz Events
As part of the project’s commitment to community engagement and environmental awareness, a series of BioBlitz events were held, bringing together volunteers, local residents, and nature enthusiasts to survey and record the incredible breadth of biodiversity present within the project area.
These intensive biological surveys encouraged participants of all ages and backgrounds to get hands-on with the natural world, identifying species of plants, insects, birds, fungi, and more within a set timeframe. For example, the BioBlitz II event that took place at Old Road Bay proved to be far more than scientific exercise — they became vibrant community occasions that fostered a deeper connection between people and the ecosystems on their doorstep. Participants who may never have considered themselves naturalists left with a newfound appreciation for the richness of local wildlife and a greater understanding of why conservation efforts matter. The data gathered during these events also contributed meaningfully to the project’s broader evidence base, helping to build a clearer picture of the habitats and species that the project is working to protect and restore.
Contributions to the Biodiversity & Well-being Toolkit
At the start of the project the Montserrat Community College made a meaningful and tangible contribution to the development of the biodiversity and well-being toolkit by participating in dedicated feedback sessions throughout the project. Students engaged thoughtfully with questionnaires, offering their perspectives on content, accessibility, and relevance from the viewpoint of young people living and learning on the island. Their feedback proved instrumental in shaping the project from the outset, ensuring that the toolkit spoke to the realities of Montserrat’s unique natural environment and the experiences of those who call it home. Having local students sit at the table during the development process brought an authenticity to the toolkit that could not have been achieved any other way. The high school’s involvement is a reminder that the next generation of conservationists are not simply the future of this work — they are already an active and essential part of it. See here a post on linkages with schools in the Isle of Man and a special tree planting session. Here are some of the comments about a time they felt connected to nature:
“When I was sitting at the beach I felt the waves and listened on the crashes of the waves the snapping of the crab pinchers and the singing of birds, I felt at ease and calm as the salty air blew against my face.”— Community Contributor
Youth United Nations Global Alliance (YUNGA)
For more information see the webpage here
Other Highlights
More soon