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.



Photos of EPPD Staff, Dr Juman and Students of the University School collecting red mangrove seedlings.






Photo of Sterling Chadee, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning and Development assisting with the collection of red mangroves seedlings.


Photo of degraded area before mangrove replanting


Photos of EPPD, NGOs and IMA assisting students with the replanting of mangroves


Photo of area after replanting with red-mangroves


Video: Students of the University School honouring International Day of Biodiversity.

 https://www.tv6tnt.com/news/7pmnews/students-replant-mangrove-at-caroni/article_31a9a08c-5e1e-11e8-aca3-4f34a88d90a1.html














EPPD School Lectures


To commemorate International Day for Biodiversity, the Environmental Policy and Planning Division (EPPD) of the Ministry of Planning and Development (MPD) conducted School Lectures to students of the East Mucurapo Secondary School on the Benefits and Threats to Biodiversity, and on Local Biodiversity of Trinidad and Tobago. These lectures were interactive and designed to raise awareness, and to take positive environmental action to protect nature and our biodiversity.

Here are some photos from the day:



Wednesday 23 May 2018

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 20th, 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.


Friday 18 May 2018

World Environment Day Student Photo Competition

The Basel Convention Regional Centre  for the Caribbean is hosting a photo competition in commemoration of World Environment Day 2018.

Be sure to enter and show how do you beat plastic pollution?

Great prizes to be won!

Due to popular request, BCRC has extended their student AGE RANGE to 26 years old (12-26 years old) & the DEADLINE is now June 4th, 2018!!

Share the great news with your friends and family! 

Photos will be judged on the visual appeal, the message the photo portrays and the description in the caption.

Winners will be announced on World Environment Day - June 5th!

All photos entered will become property of the bcrc-caribbean.




Upcoming Event!

EPPD is collaborating with the University School to replant Mangrove at the Caroni Swamp in commemoration of International Day for Biological Diversity.


Some more information on LEAF Trinidad and Tobago can be found below:

Saturday 5 May 2018

Easter Weekend Outreach Builds Awareness


Over this year's Easter weekend, teams engaged in fire patrols from the Forestry Division and local community-based organizations took the opportunity to meet with persons who were visiting the coastal region and Jagruma River for rest and relaxation.  The teams shared information on the value of the Swamp and partnered with the ICare programme to distribute garbage bags for proper collection and disposal of plastics.  

This activity was an public outreach activity developed under the Improving Forest and Protected Area Management project by the Nariva Swamp Subcommittee.

Read brief reports on the activity from the Forestry Division and Biche Environmental Action Group.