Conference

Overview

Conference Bay is one of the largest and most intact basin mangrove systems in Grenada. It sits along the east coast, where the mangroves receive tidal influence from the Atlantic while also connecting to inland freshwater sources. Its relatively undisturbed condition makes it a key baseline site, offering a reference point for how Grenada’s mangrove ecosystems function under more natural conditions.

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Ecological Monitoring

Vegetation surveys have documented red, white, and black mangroves within the wetland. Stable isotope sampling of leaves and water revealed that the mangroves here draw on both tidal and freshwater inputs, confirming the importance of this site’s dual hydrology. The mix of influences supports ecosystem resilience and makes Conference a valuable comparison site for restoration planning elsewhere on the island.

Bird surveys conducted across several months recorded a diverse avifauna. These included resident species such as the Grenada Flycatcher and Tropical Mockingbird, alongside wading birds and migrants like the Green Heron, Laughing Gull, and Whimbrel. This variety reflects the site’s role as habitat for both forest-dwelling species and wetland specialists.

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Archaeological and Cultural Context

There are no confirmed archaeological sites directly within the Conference mangroves. However, predictive modeling by archaeologist Dr. Jonathan Hanna and Dr. Christina Giovas places the area within a high-probability zone for early Amerindian settlement. Their Ideal Free Distribution (IFD) model, first built in 2018 using soil data and later refined in 2019 with flood-prone “blue spot” mapping, highlights Conference Bay as a likely location for past settlement.

 

Nearby confirmed sites provide important context. La Poterie to the north and Upper Pearls to the south both contain archaeological remains, including ceramics. Ceramics - fragments of pottery - are crucial to Caribbean archaeology: they help date occupations, reveal cultural connections, and trace shifts between cultural phases. While no such finds have been made within Conference Bay itself, its position between these two sites strengthens the likelihood of past human use.

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For further detail on the archaeological inventory of Grenada, visit the Association for Studies in Indigenous Grenada (ASIG): grenadaarchaeology.com.

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Conservation Significance

Conference Bay stands out as both an ecological and cultural reference point. Its relatively undisturbed mangroves and hydrology make it an essential baseline for monitoring and comparison. At the same time, its archaeological potential highlights the long-term connection between people and coastal wetlands in Grenada. Protecting and studying this site helps inform both conservation planning and cultural heritage management.