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March 2018 [email protected] Tel: (868) 667-4655
Go Green,Not PolytheneBy Johanne RyanThough ‘sustainability’ seems like the new buzzword, we must make it a priority for our world to survive. History can even show us why sustainability is important. Take for example the successful and mysterious Mayan civilization. Some believe it collapsed because of environmental destruction through deforestation and damage to the agricultural system.
The PAN (Protect And Nurture) Trinidad and Tobago project aims to promote sustainability in our twin-island nation. It began in 2016 when Widener University (WU) faculty,Dr. Nadine McHenry and Dr. Bretton Alvare, connected with Asa Wright Nature Centre (AWNC) to do a service learning project for WU students. The theme was sustainability. At a meeting held at AWNC, stakeholders from all over Trinidad and Tobago saw WU students present educational modules and discuss anthropological research related to sustainability. The next year, persons discussed results and responses to the modules in a follow-up meeting. Out of the 2017 meeting, the PAN committee was born. PAN comprises representatives from The Council of Presidents of
the Environment (COPE), Brazil Secondary School (BSS), Queen’s
Royal College (QRC), The Global Learning and Observation to Bene� t the Environment (GLOBE), The University of the West IndiesSchool of Education, WU and AWNC.
On March 3rd, PAN held an event called “Go Green, Not Polythene” to promote the reduction of plastic use in T&T. It was the culmination of several planning meetings and the diligent work of our PAN members and of BSS, QRC and WU students.
We started the day at Brazil Secondary School. Then President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona, gave the feature address at the opening ceremony. Other guests present included Minister of Education, The Honourable Anthony Garcia, a representative from the O� ce of the MP for La Horquetta/Talparo, the Councillor of Longdenville/Talparo, Chief Executive O� cer of the Trinidad and Tobago Solid Waste Management Company Limited (SWMCOL), a representative from the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) and the Group Marketing Manager of Xtra Foods Grocery. Next, it was o� to meet members of the Brazil community.
Approximately 50 people – students of Brazil Secondary School (BSS), Queen’s Royal College (QRC), Santa Rosa Government Primary School and WU, and members of PAN – walked in the area, educating persons about the negative e� ects of single-use plastic bags on the environment. We gave away re-usable bags,
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PAN members with Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona, SC, ORTT, the � fth President of Trinidad and Tobago, and invited guests.
Participants walk through the Brazil community.
Representatives from AWNC and the UWI School of Education with a student of Brazil Secondary School.
M A R C H • PAGE 1 March 2018
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that were sponsored by Xtra Foods and � yers and posters sponsored by WU. The � yers were created by BSS and WU students themselves. A snow-cone vendor, serving in biodegradable cups, refreshed the group.
After lunch, it was time to engage Xtra Foods customers. Students were prepared with an interactive game, custom-made by BSS and WU students with guidance by Dr. McHenry and Dr. Alvare. They were equipped with lots of giveaways too: “Cut de plastic” wrist bands and magnets sponsored by WU and again, the re-usable bags. Everyone was excited to be able to teach customers why they should use fewer plastic bags and choose re-usable bags instead. Patrons of Xtra Foods also enjoyed SWMCOL’s interactive booth at Xtra Foods.
The day was a success and we had fun in the process. But this is only the beginning. PAN recognises the need to target many di� erent aspects of sustainability. The reduction of single-use plastic bags, bottles, and styrofoam is just the � rst item on our agenda. We hope we can continue to work with other stakeholders to help reduce plastic use in Trinidad and Tobago. T&T, it is time to ‘cut de plastic’.
On behalf of PAN, I would like to thank all our supporters for this event. The EMA donated re-usable water bottles for all participants. SWMCOL covered the cost of biodegradable food containers in which lunch was served. Thank you to students and teachers of BSS and QRC for all the work you put in on this project. Thank you to everyone who came out on March 3rd. Special thanks to Dr. McHenry, Dr. Alvare and WU for their hard work and monetary donations toward this project. Thank
you to my fellow PAN members.
Cooling o� after the walk: participants show the re-usable bags that were given away.
Students from BSS and QRC.
It was great to see patrons using the re-usable bags. WU and BSS students at their booth, interacting with Xtra Foods’ customers.
On March 4th 2018, we celebrated 10 years since Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall, visited the Asa Wright Nature Centre.
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biodiversity of the Caribbean at di� erent taxonomic levels. After our hot and humid tour through the forest, we were fortunate enough to have guest speakers come and share their knowledge and � elds of work with us. Our speakers included Marina Narinesingh, attorney at law, who gave us a look into the di� cult and complex workings of Environmental Law in Trinidad and Tobago and Asa Wright’s General Manager, Ann Sealey, who shared with us the challenges and practices of running the nature centre. We then had time to explore the forest with a night hike, where we noted the di� erences
By Lourdes TaylorSuspended between the high clouds and green forest below, our class of nine students and three professors studied and explored Trinidad’s lush biodiversity for two days and three nights at the Asa Wright Nature Centre. Hailing from Haverford College in the United States, in the � rst semester of our joint biology and environmental studies course we studied the biochemistry, environmental importance, and historical backgrounds of some of Trinidad’s most economically valuable crops, such as sugarcane, cacao and banana. No amount of research or classroom learning could have prepared us for the new experiences we had while at Asa Wright however, and we certainly couldn’t have predicted how our time here would deepen our understanding of the environment and the world at large. For two of our students and one of our professors who respectively study and teach � lm, our time at Asa Wright was also an opportunity to capture inimitable footage to be made into a � lm.
We began our � rst afternoon at Asa Wright watching the hummingbirds and agouti enjoy sugar water from feeders and fruits, respectively, from the veranda. The incredible mountainous view also allowed us to catch sight of some rarer bird species, such as the beautiful Momotidae or “Motmot” bird. One of the Centre’s tour guides, Natalie, then took us on a tour of the Centre and informed us about the names, properties, common uses, and importance of a myriad number of plant species that can be found at the Centre. We smelled co� ee � owers, were let in on the romantic properties of Salvia Microphylla, or “Hot Lips,” saw
leafcutter ants in action, and became more acquainted with the immense
How Haverford College explored at AWNC
in forest activity from the daytime. Tarantulas, land crabs, bats, and coral snakes all made appearances, and so we ended our day with headlights and � eld books full of notes and sketches.
On our second day at Asa Wright, we did our best to rise early enough to see the hummingbirds � rst being fed and hear the birds’ � rst calls in the morning. Some of us, myself included, were a little late to the6 a.m. party. Nevertheless, we drank tea and (delicious!) Robusta co� ee on the veranda until breakfast and our second tour with tour guide Caleb. Most of us cooled o� from our exploration with a swim in the outdoor, waterfall-made-pool, which had previously powered the center with hydraulic energy. Our day, and our time at Asa Wright, then concluded with insightful speakers including AWNC chairman Graham White, AWNC Conservation O� cer and educator Johanne Ryan, folklorist and educator Finbar Ryan, and
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Students enjoy the ambience at the Clear Water Pool. Photo by Jon Wilson
The feeders allowed us to view hummingbirds up close. Photo by Kaitlin Reese
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M A R C H • PAGE 3 March 2018
Naturalist guide, Caleb Walker, leads a tour along the driveway. Photo by Stephanie Zukerman
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Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries’ William Trim. Hearing these di� erent and multi-disciplinary voices gave us the background and perspectives we needed to inform our comprehensive understanding of Trinidad and Tobago.
Amongst many other things, Asa Wright Nature Centre demonstrated to us that one cannot simply study science and hope to understand the environment.Trinidad and Tobago’s culture, politics, history of colonisation, economy, and people are inseparably linked to understanding the environment, and we are more informed students, scholars, people, and most importantly, global citizens, for having spent time there. We are grateful and hopeful that we will have the chance to return.
North Carolina State University returns
Volunteers from North Carolina State University spent spring break at AWNC. They created educational materials for AWNC to use to teach students about watersheds.Photo courtesy Beth Wright
The students installed railings along one of our trails. Photo courtesy Beth Wright
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Some students planted trees. The tropical species were all new to them. Photo by Johanne Ryan
YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALISTOF THE MONTHIf you think your child, aged 5-16, has done something helpful to preserve the environment, please feel free to share it with us. Either write a short story or send a few pictures to [email protected]. He/she may be selected as our Young Environmentalist of the Month. Once your child is featured in our monthly newsletter, he/she and two adults will be given a complimentary day visit to Asa Wright Nature Centre, which includes viewing birds/animals on the verandah, a nature tour and use of the clear water pool.
It wasn’t all work at the Centre. Here, students on a trail walk observe a Tent-making bat.Photo by Randell Duberry
There were so many ways to capture the moments. Photo by Randell Duberry
Students visited two primary schools with AWNC. They used games to teach environmental science topics. Photo courtesy Beth Wright
The group had a great time. They are pictured here with children from Pinehaven SDA Primary School.Photo courtesy Beth Wright
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