EPPD Participates in the Launch of the Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystems Management in Caribbean Small Island Developing States (IWEco) – Rehabilitation of Quarries Project.

The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) in collaboration with United National Development Small Grants Programme (UNDP-SGP), IA Movement/Vetiver TT and Sustrust launched the GEF-IWEco Rehabilitation of Quarries Project "Promoting quarry rehabilitation for a rock sold future". The launch was undertaken to commemorate International Day for Biodiversity and was conducted on the United Way Nation Day of Caring on May 20th at Pit 5, Trinidad and Tobago National Quarries, Turure Road, Sangre Grande. During the launch, activities included interactive discussions with knowledgeable persons on plant and quarry rehabilitation; introduction of the project partners; signing of a Letter of Agreement between the EMA and National Quarries; talks about vetiver grass planting, tree planting and mulching; and commencement of quarry rehabilitation activities.

The GEF-IWEco Project focuses on land degradation and aims to reduce and reverse land degradation on at least one hundred (100) hectares of abandoned lands or exhausted quarry pits in the Valencia area to restore natural vegetation, reduce sedimentation and flood risk and restore ecological functioning through an integrated water, land and ecosystem management approach. During the launch of the GEF-IWECO on May 20^th, the EPPD actively participated with approximately 300 volunteers that were mobilized by the IA Movement/Vetiver in planting approximately 400 meters of vetiver grass and 75 sapling trees of various species at Pit No. 5.  This one day effort represent just the initiating of the four (4) year GEF-IWEco Project.

The EPPD would like to congratulate all the partners, stakeholders and Government agencies for its time and efforts to participate in Sunday’s launch of the GEF-IWEco Project in particular the EMA; IA Movement/Vetiver TT; Sustrust, Trinidad and Tobago National Quarries Company Ltd; the Forestry Division; UNDP Small Grants Programme, and United Nations Environment Programme Caribbean Environment Programme, Regional Co-ordinating Unit.

As we continue to work towards the implementation of the GEF-IWEco Project, we must remember that “Environmental Pride is National Pride”.

Photo 1: -  Ryan Abraham, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Forestry Division; David Persaud, Environmental Manager, EPPD and Hayden Romano, Managing Director, EMA, planting trees.

Photo 2:  Floyd Homer, Coordinator, EU Environment Programme and David Persaud, Environmental Manager, EPPD planting trees.

Photo 3: Participants listening to a briefing.

Photo 4: Participants preparing mulch.