Graeme Hall Sanctuary reopens after 16 years

A 16-year closure has ended as the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary reopens its gates, offering Barbadians renewed access to the island’s only internationally recognised wetland and marking a significant moment for national conservation efforts.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley and protector of the Barbados Wetlands Trust, Anthony Da Silva, addressed a diverse crowd gathered at the sanctuary on Friday, including schoolchildren, environmentalists, government ministers and international partners.

“It is with immense pride and humility that I stand before you today,” Da Silva said, “not just as the protector of the Barbados Wetlands Trust, but as a Barbadian whose roots are deeply entwined with this very sanctuary.”

Recounting childhood memories spent under the trees and beside the waterways of Graeme Hall, he described the sanctuary as “sacred ground . . . a gift returned to the people of Barbados”.

The occasion carried deeper meaning for Mottley, who recalled her 2008 parliamentary appeal for the government to purchase the site, then valued at US$26.5m [$53m].

“Obstacles are not to stopyou  but simply to be able to challenge you to find different ways of being able to overcome what at first appears to beunconquerablee,” she said, commending the Barbados Wetlands Trust for securing the property for $6m.

Da Silva revealed that the sanctuary’s revival over the past four months was no ceremonial ribbon-cutting, but a labour-intensive mission carried out by local hands. “We rebuilt and reinforced bridges . . . cleared invasive species . . . restored critical habitats . . . modified the trail system to improve visitor experience and accessibility,” he said. “And we did all this and more with the awareness that we were restoring not just infrastructure, but a living ecosystem that has much to teach us still.”

Among the sanctuary’s revitalised features are a reimagined migratory bird zone housed in a repurposed replica shooting hut, now an immersive learning space; the fully restored Galley Aviary –renamed the Wildlife Haven — for close-up encounters with native birds; and more than a mile of interpretive trails equipped with mounted binoculars and accessible viewing zones.

Da Silva emphasised inclusivity and national ownership.

“The sanctuary is fully wheelchair accessible . . . Every new pathway, every sign, every bench has been placed with intention,” he said. “What gives me the most joy is that everything you see here has been shaped by the hands of residents of Barbados . . . It was our local contractors, artisans, masons, welders, landscapers, gardeners, designers, habitat specialists and others who helped to recover and reshape every corner of this sanctuary.”

He reserved special thanks for those who maintained the site during its quiet years.“To the late Peter Allard, former owner of the sanctuary your vision gave us this park in the first place. And to Barbara Garcia-your devotion . . . kept it from falling into ruin,” he said.

“Because of your care, we didn’t have to start from scratch.”

Mottley also recognised the significance of their stewardship, noting that although the sanctuary had been inaccessible to the public for over a decade, “they made it their business to do as best as they could”.

The prime minister highlighted Graeme Hall’s global ecological importance as the only Ramsar-designated wetland in Barbados. The 1971 Ramsar Convention, also known as the Convention on Wetlands, is an international treaty that promotes the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

“This is a miracle of biodiversity . . . mangrove wetlands, seagrass beds and coral reefs exist in such close proximity. This is God’s hand shaping and putting in balance that which is necessary for all living organisms,” she said.

The reopening, Mottley noted, marks a return to normality following years of economic hardship and ecological degradation. “I made a quiet promise to myself . . . that one of the key things that would mark a return to normality . . . this would be one of our badges of honour.”

Looking ahead, she announced plans to establish the Barbados Nature Conservancy Trust, which will oversee the long-term protection of several other national green spaces, including Farley Hill National Park, the National Botanical Gardens and Turner’s Hall Woods.

“In taking care of these public spaces, we are creating not just a national public good, but an international public good,” she said.

The sanctuary will officially reopen to the public on Saturday, May 31. The Graeme Hall Green — an open lawn area outside the main park trails — will remain free to access, while visitors can pay to explore interpretive trails and exhibits within the park.

“May this place be a home for memorable school field trips, eager birdwatchers, dedicated researchers and happy families with picnic baskets,” Da Silva said in closing. “May it be a refuge for those who need a quiet moment. And may it always be a reminder that when we come together, we can not only protect our past while enjoying the present but we can also shape the future.” (SZB)