The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF), through its Caribbean Regional Architecture for Biodiversity (CRAB) Project, proudly announced the winners of its first-ever regional photo contest, a creative initiative celebrating conservation, climate resilience, and the Caribbean’s deep connection to nature.
The 2025 CRAB Project Photo Contest drew over 100 entries from photographers across the region, spanning Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and the French Caribbean territories.
Submissions were invited under four themes: the effects of climate change, the impact of natural disasters, community-led conservation, and adaptation strategies. Collectively, the entries told powerful visual stories of how Caribbean people, species, and landscapes are confronting today’s environmental challenges and reshaping their future.
From Belize to Trinidad: The Winning Images
In the Amateur category, Belizean photographer Edson Mendez captured first place with a photograph submitted under the theme “How natural disasters are impacting me, nature, and my Caribbean people.” Judges praised the image for its emotional resonance and technical precision, noting how it illustrated the vulnerability of coastal communities while underscoring the urgency of climate action.
In the Professional category, Renaldo Matadeen of Trinidad and Tobago took top honors with a submission under the theme “Adapt or Die: How our Caribbean people, species, and landscapes are adapting to biodiversity or climate change stressors.” His bold composition and vivid storytelling offered a compelling look at resilience and adaptation in the face of mounting environmental pressures.
“These images reflect the urgency of protecting our environment and the resilience of our people,” said Karen McDonald Gayle, CEO of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund. “Art and storytelling amplify conservation and help sustain our shared vision for a resilient Caribbean.”
The Power of Visual Storytelling
Entries were evaluated by a panel of judges drawn from both conservation and the creative industries, based on originality, relevance to the theme, technical quality, and visual impact.
“This contest is a testament to the Caribbean’s creativity and deep connection to nature,” said Theresa Sanderson, CRAB Project Manager. “Photographers turned lived experience into images that inspire action and amplify local voices.”
The contest is a flagship communications initiative under the CRAB Project (2022–2027), which is funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial (FFEM). The project aims to strengthen long-term conservation financing and institutional capacity across the Caribbean’s National Conservation Trust Funds (NCTFs).
Prizes and Recognition
Both winners will receive professional-grade photography equipment to support their continuing work: a Sony a6600 Mirrorless 4K Camera for the Professional category and a Canon EOS R50 Mirrorless Camera for the Amateur category.
The winning photos will also be featured in regional publications, showcased in CBF communications materials, and included in an online gallery to be launched on the CBF website.
