
Garry Auguiste, a passionate young environmentalist of Kalinago heritage, has been selected as a portrait subject in the Global Portrait Project, an initiative launched by British artist James Nickells. This project seeks to highlight individuals around the globe who are making impactful contributions to environmental conservation.
Garry grew up in the rural village of Concord, Dominica, where he was immersed in a family lifestyle rooted in crop cultivation and animal rearing. Reflecting on his upbringing, he shares, “As children, we played a lot of cricket and spent much of our time in the river. My friends and I felt deeply connected to and comfortable in the natural environment.” This strong connection to nature sparked his passion for conservation.
Currently nearing completion of his MPhil degree at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Garry’s research focuses on the island’s endemic parrots. His thesis, titled Quantifying the Population Density and Distribution of the Amazona imperialis and Amazona arausiaca of the Island of Dominica Post-Hurricane Maria, underscores his commitment to avian species and conservation.
Garry’s interest in parrots was ignited during his search for a research topic, particularly after discovering that the Sisserou parrot, Dominica’s national bird, had not been studied since 2018. “The absence of baseline population data for the Sisserou post-Maria motivated me to take on the responsibility of studying it,” he stated. His efforts aim to address the urgent need for data-driven research to support conservation initiatives in Dominica, especially as the country is endowed with rich biodiversity.
“Many ongoing projects fail to fully account for their potential conservation impact on wildlife. I believe it is our duty to protect what makes Dominica unique “the Nature Isle”—Waitukubuli, Conservation also involves controlling invasive species, such as the Cuban tree frog, which is spreading rapidly and threatening critically endangered species like the crapaud,” said Auguiste, delineating his personal philosophy.
Through his work, Garry emphasizes the importance of engaging the youth in conservation efforts. He is currently interning with the Conservation Leadership Programme, conducting a biodiversity assessment of Dominica’s national parks. A significant aspect of this initiative involves creating a Junior Ranger Activity Book designed to teach primary school students about the island’s history and biodiversity.
James Nickells, the artist behind the Global Portrait Project, was originally a wildlife artist and shares a vision that aligns with Garry’s commitment to environmental advocacy.
“In Feb 2021 I painted an artist from Mexico’s portrait and went to bed thinking it’d be nice to paint people from other countries. I woke the following day with the thought it’d be nice to paint people from all the countries and The Global Portrait Project was born. The following day I decided on the theme to run through it which was to paint people involved in positive environmental action,” explained the artist.
Upon learning about Garry’s impressive environmental initiatives, Nickells recognized him as a perfect fit for the project, making Garry’s image the 50th country in his portrait series. Nickells said he appreciated Garry’s enthusiasm and extensive knowledge about environmental issues, particularly concerning Dominica’s endangered parrots. “His enthusiasm and passion about a range of environmental topics seemed particularly fitting for Dominica,” he noted.
The painting process not only captured Garry’s likeness but also his profound connection to nature and conservation. Each portrait is filmed in a time-lapse format, combined with a narrative of the subject’s environmental work, to be shared across social media platforms and showcased in a touring exhibition. The goal is to demonstrate that environmental efforts are global, encouraging individuals to take action in their own communities.
Through this partnership, Garry’s story will be highlighted, reinforcing the significance of youthful passion in environmental conservation. As the Global Portrait Project unfolds, the narratives and experiences of individuals like Garry Auguiste serve to inspire others and illuminate the diverse pathways through which people can contribute to safeguarding the planet.
Editor’s note: The public will be able to see Garry’s painting published to the world this weekend on Instagram @globalportraitproject. The entire painting process along with Garry’s story will also go live in a 6-minute video on The Global Portrait Project YouTube Channel where you’ll also find videos about the previous 49 countries James has painted.
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