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The vision of the Honorable Dr. Baldwin Spencer to rename Boggy Peak, the highest mountain in Antigua and Barbuda, to Mount Obama in recognition of the political achievement of Barak Obama as president of the United States materialized in August 2009 at a Dedication Ceremony.

The Mount Obama Committee (MOC) was established to facilitate the renaming of this symbolic landmark and to incorporate the site and its surrounding areas of the Skekerley mountains and valleys into a world class protected area where the natural and historic heritage is managed with pride, innovation and dignity.

The area is to be established as a Category IV (National Park) protected site using the IUCN international criteria for the management of protected areas. A national park is one of six categories of protected areas recognized by IUCN’s World Commission on Protected Areas. The specific definition of a national park, as established by IUCN is:



a “large natural or near natural area set aside to protect large-scale ecological processes, along with the complement of species and ecosystems characteristic of the area, which also provide a foundation for environmentally and culturally compatible spiritual, scientific, educational, recreational and visitor opportunities ”.



The Mount Obama National Park (MONP) will comprise an area of ​​roughly 2,500 acres which includes some of the last remaining wet and dry forest in Antigua-Barbuda, plant and bird species of significant biodiversity value, the upper slopes of one of the largest largest and productive watersheds, outstanding scenery, and genetic material for about 28 species of mangoes and the famous Antigua Black Pineapple, all growing at the Agricultural Research Stations at Christian Valley and Cades Bay. Historically, the ridges and upper slopes of the Park were used as a sanctuary for slaves (Maroons) in their struggle for freedom, while the valleys and lower slopes have a rich heritage of agriculture and use of herbs for medicinal purposes.



The park will be managed to promote existing and new sustainable recreational and eco-tourism uses, such as hiking, bird watching, camping, picnicking, low-impact lodging, research, awareness and appreciation of heritage, while ensuring the conservation of biodiversity, soil and water, and critical wildlife habitats.

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