In the heart of Barbados’ Scotland District, a once-depleted sand quarry has undergone a stunning transformation into the Caribbean’s largest regenerative hub—Walkers Reserve. This flagship project is fast becoming a national model for sustainable development, climate resilience, and ecological restoration.
Led by the Walkers Institute for Regenerative Research, Education, and Design (WIRRED), the site now serves as a bioregional hub promoting green engineering and community-led conservation. The project’s leaders are calling for increased collaboration and investment to scale its impact across the Caribbean.
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“We envisioned Walkers as a place that could demonstrate a variety of green engineering solutions, restoration methods, and conservation models,” said Georgina Thornton, Project Coordinator at WIRRED. “The goal is for others to learn from what’s working here and apply it throughout Barbados and the wider region.”
Walkers Reserve today is a thriving ecosystem with reforested lands, flourishing mangrove forests, wetlands, and agroforestry plots producing crops like pineapples, tomatoes, and peppers. These features not only support biodiversity but also boost food security, help cool the climate, and absorb carbon.
“Reforestation plays a key role,” Thornton explained. “Planting trees helps build biodiversity, supports microclimates, and increases rainfall.” She highlighted the success of the mangrove systems, saying they’ve become critical to storm protection and carbon sequestration.
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Beyond its environmental impact, Walkers Reserve serves as an outdoor classroom. Students and youth groups regularly visit the site for immersive lessons in conservation, regenerative farming, and biodiversity tracking.
While the initiative receives some support from the Barbados government, Thornton emphasized the need for greater backing.
“There’s appreciation for the work, but more support is essential,” she noted. “This is the hub of the Barbados Parks and Open Spaces Network—it’s vital for the government to play a larger role in sustaining it.”
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The project has also drawn international praise. Alex Gozney, UK Climate and Environment Attaché for the Caribbean, lauded Walkers Reserve as a beacon of regenerative development.
“They’ve taken a mined-out site and turned it into something both sustainable and economically viable,” Gozney said. “That’s a powerful model for small island states aiming for climate resilience.”
He added, “If what’s happening at Walkers can be replicated across the Eastern Caribbean, that would be a transformative legacy.”
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