Green Days by the EPPD: EPPD Staff Assists Primary School with Mangrove Replanting Project

Thursday, 24 May 2018

EPPD Staff Assists Primary School with Mangrove Replanting Project

The Ministry of Planning and Development through the Environmental Policy and Planning Division (EPPD) has been partnering with The University School in the implementation of a school project under the Learning about Forests (LEAF) Programme aimed at increasing knowledge about the key role forests play in sustaining life on our planet through outdoor and classroom learning. Under the LEAF Programme the University School is specifically focusing on Biodiversity and Climate Change. In this regards, the Ministry has convened lecturers and provided educational materials to the school on issues relating to climate change and biodiversity.

As part of the activities under this project the School had approached the Ministry for assistance with their concept for replanting mangroves at a degraded area within the Caroni Swamp. The EPPD sought the advice of the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) on identifying possible degraded areas in the Caroni Swamp that would be accessible and not pose a challenge for replanting of mangroves by children between the ages of 5 to 11. In this regard, the IMA identified the mangrove area to the South of the Access Road to the Caroni Swamp for the collection of red mangroves seedlings and an area along the No. 9 Drain for replanting.

On the May 22, 2018 in commemoration of International Day of Biodiversity staff of the EPPD, Communications Department of the Ministry, the IMA, Fondes Amandes Community Reforestation Project (FACRP) and the Caribbean Youth Environment Network Trinidad and Tobago assisted primary school students from the University School with their project in replanting red mangrove seedlings along a degraded area of the No. 9 Drain of Caroni Swamp.

Over 60 students participated in the replanting activity that resulted in approximately, 114 red mangroves seedling being planted in the degraded area which will not only contribute to improving the ecology of the area but will also provide much need stabilization to the river bank and minimize erosion to the nearby rural access road.

The EPPD greatly appreciates the interest and the efforts of the parents, teachers and students of the University School in the protection of the ecologically important Caroni Swamp which is recognized by the international community of its importance being listed under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance.

The EPPD also thanks all its partners and stakeholders that contributed to making this activity of the University School a success in particular the IMA, Forest Division, the Fondes Amandes Community Reforestation Project (FACRP) and the Caribbean Youth Environment Network Trinidad and Tobago.

As we continue efforts to manage precious national treasures like the Caroni Swamp, please always remember that “Environmental Pride is National Pride”.

Photos of School Talks on Mangroves: Marissa Gowrie, Deputy Environmental Manager, EPPD teaching students about the importance of Caroni Swamp and the types of mangroves found at the swamp.