International Day for Biological Diversity - 22 May

The United Nations has proclaimed May 22, The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.

This year’s celebrations focus on biodiversity as the foundation for our food and health and a key catalyst to transforming food systems and improving human health.

The theme of 2019 ‘Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health’ aims to leverage knowledge and spread awareness of the dependency of our food systems, nutrition, and health on biodiversity and healthy ecosystems. The theme also celebrates the diversity provided by our natural systems for human existence and well-being on Earth, while contributing to other Sustainable Development Goals, including climate change mitigation and adaptation, ecosystems restoration, cleaner water and zero hunger, among others.

For further information on IDB 2019, please visit: https://www.cbd.int/idb/2019/

7th Session of the Intergovernmental Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES-7)

Launch of the Global Assessment Report in Paris 

(Photo courtesy: http://enb.iisd.org/ipbes/7-plenary/)

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) ended its one-week 7^th Plenary meeting in Paris on Saturday 4^th May, 2019. The major outcome of this session was the launch of the Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. This report was prepared by about 150 scientists from 50 countries, who took about three years to research existing scientific studies and reports. The Assessment Report painted a relatively disappointing picture of human’s stewardship of nature…which appears inconsistent with many of the National Reports on Biodiversity submitted by Governments periodically, to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Two interesting summaries done by the BBC can be read here:

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-48133143   and

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-48169783

The IPBES official, advanced, unedited Summary for Policy Makers can be found here:

https://www.ipbes.net/system/tdf/spm_global_unedited_advance.pdf?file=1&type=node&id=35245

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago was represented at the 7^th Plenary by Dr Rahanna Juman, Deputy Director of the Institute of Marine Affairs. Another outcome of that meeting was the election of two members to the IPBES Bureau from the Latin America and Caribbean group of countries (GRULAC). The two members are Mrs. Anna Maria Hernandez of Colombia who was also voted in as the new Chair of IPBES, and Dr Floyd Homer of Trinidad and Tobago. Dr Juman was also elected to serve as the alternate to Dr Homer.

Dr Juman (extreme left) and fellow representatives from the Group of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC)

(Photo courtesy: Dr R Juman)

Main Ridge Forest Reserve 243rd anniversary celebrations

In recognition of the 243rd anniversary of the declaration of the Main Ridge Forest Reserve, the Department of Natural Resources and Forestry and Environment Tobago jointly undertook two activities. 

The first activity took the form of a "Main Ridge Forest Fitness Challenge" in which the public was invited to take part in a run/walk/cycle challenge across the main road which runs through the Main Ridge Forest Reserve.  Participants either chose to undertake a 14 km full challenge or a 7 km half challenge, which ended at the Bloody Bay Visitor Facility.  All finishers were rewarded with medals and the fastest finisher in various age and gender categories received prizes. 

The second event was a "Kids' Jamboree" hosted for pre-school students from the surrounding area.  The youngsters enjoyed sing-alongs, stories and skits on environmental themes, as well as a petting zoo. 

The keen interest and participation from the public in these events has encouraged the organizers to consider hosting these as as annual undertaking.  A brief report on the anniversary celebrations is available at this link.

Report on survey for ESS in Tobago

The White-tailed Sabrewing Hummingbird is listed locally as an Environmentally Sensitive Species (ESS) and is globally near threatened.  The bird has been recorded at two locations in Venezuela and also in the Mian Ridge Forest Reserve, Tobago.  Over the three month period December 2018 - February 2019, a survey on the presence and distribution of the bird was done in the Main Ridge Forest Reserve with the assistance of data loggers and tour guides.  The information gathered makes a key contribution to the development of  a management plan for the Main Ridge Forest Reserve, a key deliverable of the "Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago" project.  The report is available at this link.

Enforcement Officers Workshop report available online

Over the period June - August 2018, three one-day workshops were undertaken as a joint initiative of the Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago project and the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), which were geared towards building knowledge of the legal framework for environmental management among senior enforcement officers.  

The workshops were attended by 114 persons, including representatives of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, Game Wardens of the Wildlife Division, Forestry Officers, Environmental Police Unit, Police of Regional Corporations and the Customs and Excise Division (Tobago).

Key presentations were delivered on the Environmental Management Act 2000 Chapter 35:05 and rules, the Conservation of Wildlife Act Chapter 67:01, the Forest Act Chapter 66:01, the State Lands Act Chapter 57:01 an the Town and Country Planning Act Chapter 35:01.  A report on the workshops is provided at this link.