Nevis Turtle Group
Commonwealth Point of Light 97. Lemuel Pemberton
Lemuel Pemberton, representing St Kitts and Nevis, is the founder of ‘Nevis Turtle Group’, which is pioneering sea turtle conservation across the island and beyond.
Concerned at the decline in nest numbers across the island, Lemuel founded the programme in 2002 bringing together volunteers to monitor nests and protect endangered species. In 2006, the project partnered with a wider Eastern Caribbean sea turtle conservation project which is run by the University of the West Indies in Barbados. The partnership has provided crucial data on over 250 nests across the islands, mapping the migration of the critically endangered Hawksbill, Leatherback and Green sea turtles. ‘Nevis Turtle Group’ also runs a number of educational programmes in local schools to involve children in sea turtle conservation.
Lemuel said:
“I am humbled to be nominated to receive this award. It came as a total surprise to me and I want to thank the persons in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and any others for considering me. I am delighted to receive the Commonwealth Point of Light Award on behalf of the Nevis Turtle Group and all the persons and organisations that have supported us in our conservation efforts since the work started in 2001.”
Janet Douglas, UK High Commissioner in St Kitts and Nevis said:
“I am delighted that Lemuel Pemberton has been selected as a Commonwealth Point of Light for his work protecting the vulnerable sea turtle population of St. Kitts & Nevis. Lemuel’s leadership of the Nevis Turtle Group is an inspiring example of how volunteers from across the Commonwealth are coordinating efforts to monitor and conserve the marine environment. His work in raising awareness of the plight of the three endangered sea turtle species native to St Kitts and Nevis will help secure their future welfare.”