HM The Queen recognises Pemberton with Commonwealth Points of Light award

By: T. Chapman

As a pioneer for turtle conservation representing St. Kitts and Nevis, Lemuel Pemberton is a recipient of the Points of Life Certificate. An award that recognises outstanding individual volunteers – people who are making a change in their Community.

Through the ‘Nevis Turtle Group’ Pemeberton is pioneering sea turtle conservation across the island and beyond.

The award was presented by the Queens representative His Excellency Governor General, Sir S. W. Tapley Seaton, GCMG, CVO, QC, JP on Thursday 27 June.

The certificate which is signed by Her Majesty The Queen, recognises his work in the conservation of sea turtles on the island of Nevis as an outstanding example of the promotion of conservation and nature.

According to a press statement, His Excellency congratulated Mr. Pemberton on this significant achievement and wished him well in the continuation of this important ecological undertaking.

In 2016, Mr. Pemberton was involved in the release of baby turtles in Nevis by His Royal Highness Prince Harry during his Visit to Saint Kitts and Nevis.

As per information disseminated by the Commonwealth Points of Light website, Pemberton 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.

UK High Commissioner in St Kitts and Nevis, Janet Douglas 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.