EPPD Staff at NIHERST Science Week- (L-R) Dr. L. Dempewolf (Biodiveristy Specialist), Mr. K Bhajan (Environmental Policy Analyst), Ms. D. Sookram (Research Analyst) and Ms. N. Singh (Ozone).

EPPD at the National Institute for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology’s (NIHERST) Science Week

“Water and Climate Change Action Science” 

2^nd – 7^th March, 2020

Members of the EPPD participated and contributed to the National Institute for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology’s (NIHERST) science week- “Water and Climate Change Action Science” (2^nd – 7^th March, 2020). 

There, an interactive display comprised of relevant literature, activities and promotional items provided students with the opportunity to learn more about several thematic areas as it relates to the EPPD’s operations. This was a great environment to engage in discussions about topics such as climate change, biodiversity, energy efficiency, ozone, etc. with interested students.

The audience ranged from preschoolers to sixth form students. Teachers as well as other exhibitors frequented the booth and took part in the many activities available. Students and teachers alike were enthusiastic about the wide range of reading material. Promotional items, quizzes, and other activities were conceptualized and developed by members of staff from the EPPD and distributed to students and teachers for further dissemination within their respective schools. 

EPPD was also part of the daily presentation schedule. Several short, informative and entertaining presentations on the following topics: Pollinators, Ozone, Energy Efficiency and the Science of Climate Change were delivered. The audience varied with each session and presentations were tailored to meet the needs of for each group. Students were immersed and responsive to topics and participated in significantly productive discussions. Overall, the positive feedback of EPPD’s booth was overwhelming and the level of engagement on each day was high.

Ms. Sookram delivering her presentation on The Science of Climate Change 

Mr. Bhajan delivering his presentation on Energy Efficiency 

Ms. Singh delivering her presentation on The Ozone Layer and Ozone Depletion 

Dr. Dempewolf delivering her presentation on Biodiversity

Manatee Appreciation Day 2020

Today is Manatee Appreciation Day – an opportunity to celebrate these incredible and unique creatures. Manatees fall into their own category of lovably funny-looking, docile and silly sea mammals. Don’t let their looks fool you, though -- manatees are also shockingly intelligent creatures!

These gentle giants are often spotted in coastal or river areas where there’s lots of seagrass or vegetation to enjoy. They migrate regularly depending upon the weather. 

First listed to the Endangered Species Act in 1967, their numbers have been steadily increasing. Manatee Appreciation Day is great reminder that manatees and their habitat need our support. 

The most significant challenge manatees face today is the loss of habitat

Some Manatee Facts:

• They are also called sea cows.
• Manatees are related to the elephant.
• Due to their immense size, (some weigh up to 1,200 pounds) they graze up to 8 hours a day.
• Manatees continually replace their teeth. A new set is always growing behind the current set of teeth. 
• Manatees can live up 60 years.
• Their lungs are two-thirds the length of their bodies.
• They can only breath through their nose. Their mouths are for grazing on their primary food source – sea grass. 

Report on World Wetlands Day 2020 activities

The "Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago" project, through its Caroni Swamp Subcommittee hosted two activities at the Visitor Centre of the well-known wetland in recognition of this year's World Wetlands Day observance. 

These activities, which encouraged the participation of primary school students and teachers, as well as a group of artists and photographers, also piloted novel on-site environmental education approaches.

A report on these activities is available at this link.