Environment TOBAGO newsl etter

En viron men t TO BAGO n ewsl etter

E nvironment TOBA-

GO (ET) is a non-government, non-profit, vol-unteer organisation , not

subsidized by any one group,

corporation or government

body.

Founded in 1995, ET is a proactive advocacy group that campaigns against negative environmental activities

throughout Tobago. We achieve this through a variety of community and environ-

mental outreach programmes.

Environment TOBAGO is funded mainly through grants

and membership fees. These funds go back into implement-ing our projects. We are

grateful to all our sponsors over the years and thank them for their continued

support

W hat’s inside

Tobago Partnership

Conference 1

Events! 4

Resource Mobilization

Strategy Training 5

Education 6

Environmental Stewardship

7

GEF’s Info Workshop 9

Articles 6

Earth Day 2019 12

T&T’s Biodiversity 3,4,11

Ecology Notes 13

What’s Happening @ 14

Notes to contributors 16

March—June 2019 Environment TOBAGO

The Tobago Partnership Conference was held in Mt. Irvine, Tobago, from 13 to

14 May 2019. The Conference brought together 183 local and national stakeholders

from government agencies, civil society organisations and the private sector. These

proceedings include the report of the conference. Overview of presentations covered:

• the national policy context of Trinidad and Tobago;

• fostering investment in the green and blue economies;

• improving protected areas management and conservation;

• sustainable tourism, fostering partnership among government;

• civil society and private sector, climate change adaptation and mitigation;

• promoting environmental stewardship and sustainability;

• improving waste management systems;

• mapping and capacity assessment of civil society organisations. Facilitated discussions after presentations aimed at identifying stakeholders’

concerns and suggestions as well as to provide answers to questions. The conference

recommended actions to be taken for all stakeholders to more involved, informed,

collaborative, resilient and adaptive in the future in order solve environmental issues.

Outcome- To form an Environmental Advisory Committee to the Secretary of the

Environment regarding Tobago Development etc. The Tobago Partnership Conference 2019 was held in Mt. Irvine, Tobago, from

13 to 14 May 2019. It was organised by the Division of Infrastructure Quarries and the

Environment (DIQE), in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) in collaboration with

Environment TOBAGO (ET) and Environment Research Institute Charlotteville (ERIC).

The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) was host to the conference. Financial support

was provided by Shell Trinidad Limited and the German

Embassy, Port of Spain. The overall goal of the conference

was to…Attending the conference were 183 participants

(representing national and local organisations and agencies

from government, civil society organisations (CSOs) and

the private sector. The conference was mainly focused on

Tobago. Mr Linford Beckles acted as chair of the

conference. The rapporteurs were Crystal Lawrence and

Damika Marshall of the DoE and Sean McCoon who is a

consultant. Mr Linford Beckles, Director of the Department

of the Environment (DoE) in the DIQE welcomed

participants. He recognized all stakeholders involved in the

planning of the conference and the financial contributions

Mr Linford Beckles welcoming

participants during the opening

ceremony

THE TOBAGO PARTNERSHIP CONFERENCE

March-June 2019

Editor:

Jo-Anne Nina Sewlal

Assistant Editor:

Raymond Aaron

Design & Layout:

Jo-Anne Nina Sewlal

Technical Support:

Enid Nobbee

Contributors:

Jo-Anne Nina Sewlal

Bertrand Bhikkary

Pat Ganese

Patricia Turpin Environment

TOBAGO

Photographs:

Simone DeLabastide

Theodore Ferguson

John Seyjagal

Jeffrey Wong Sang Environment

TOBAGO

Board of Directors

2018-2020

President:

Bertrand Bhikkary

Vice-President:

Patricia Turpin

Secretary:

Ryan Allard

Treasurer:

Andy Roberts

Other Directors:

Wendy Austin

Nathaniel Licorish

Dave Nelson

Andrea Tuitt

Aljoscha Wothke

Environment TOBAGO newsletter

of partners Shell Trinidad Limited and the German Embassy, Port of Spain. Mr

Beckles looked forward to an informative and engaging two-day conference with

meaningful interaction and discussion. Mr Howard Robin, Climate Change Specialist of the Coastal Zone

Management Unit in the DIQE gave a brief word of prayer which spoke to a

successful conference. Mr Bertrand Bhikarry,

President of ET gave remarks to

participants by expressing his delight

in all environmentally conscious

stakeholders present at the

conference. He said that he hoped

that conference would aid in solving

environmental management

problems and he also promoted the

“triple bottom line” concept

towards achieving sustainable

development. He ended by thanking

all participants for their attendance. Councillor Kwesi Des Vignes, Secretary for the DIQE brought welcome

remarks to participants. He noted that the rich biodiversity of Tobago is

impacted by stressors and pressures caused by climate change and natural

disasters. He mentioned the Brundtland Report (BR) as the first institutional

backing of the concept of sustainable

development (SD) and expressed the

need for ambassadors, champions and

experts to advocate for sustainable

economic and environmental

development. He recognized the efforts

of local champions such as ET and ERIC,

the efforts of projects under the DIQE

and new found partnerships in Shell

Trinidad Limited and the German

Embassy. He also stated that through

partnership more can be achieved in the

Tobagonian Environment.

Mr Andreas Haack, Deputy Head of Mission of the Federal Republic of

Germany, gave remarks to all conference participants. He expressed pride in the

contribution of the German Embassy in Tobago Partnership Conference and

stated that the embassy is a close partner of Trinidad and Tobago in climate

change initiatives. He spoke of the impacts of climate change and natural hazards

on the Caribbean and the implications of the ratification of the Paris Agreement

by Trinidad and Tobago which is an agreement within the United Nations

Framework Convention on Climate Change dealing with greenhouse gas

emissions mitigation and adaptation. He said that there is the potential for the

use of renewable energy in Trinidad and Tobago which can aid furthering the

countries development. He noted that change is already happening in Caribbean

countries such as Antigua and Barbuda which has started the phasing out of

plastics. He also looked forward to the discussions of the conference.

Mr Bertrand Bhikarry giving remarks during the

opening ceremony

Councillor Kwesi Des Vignes bringing welcome

remarks during the opening ceremony


More photos from the Tobago Environmental

Partnership Conference 2019!

SOME OF

TRINIDAD

&

TOBAGO’S

BIODIVERSITY Manicou

(Didelphis marsupialis) Photo by Simone

De Labastide

Silky Anteater

(Cyclopes didactylus)

Photo by Jeffrey

Wong Sang


EVENTS

SOME OF

TRINIDAD

&

TOBAGO’S

BIRDLIFE

Photos by Theodore Ferguson

White-tailed Sabrewing

hummingbird

(Campylopterus ensipennis)

Blue-backed Manakins

(Chiroxiphia pareola)


Resource Mobilization Strategy Training

ET Directors, staff and members undergo RMS

(Resource Mobilization strategy) training within Strategic Planning . Program delivered

by Ermath Harrington/Harcon for the

CSO's for Good Governance Program.


EDUCATION

ECO CAMPS AND CLEAN SCHOOL "TRASH TO CASH"


Become an Environmental Steward for Tobago By Pat Ganese

(Copy of Speech delivered by P. Turpin at Environmental partnership

Conference May 14th)

Patricia Turpin, representing the NGO Environment Tobago, spoke at the

opening of the inaugural Tobago Environmental Partnership Conference held at

the Mount Irvine Bay Hotel, on May 13. She invited all Tobagonians to become

stewards of the environment.

What do you mean by stewardship?

Let us dig into the meaning of environmental sustainability and

stewardship. For today’s purpose, let us consider the concept:

Environmental sustainability means maintaining the ability of natural systems such

as forests, wetlands, lagoons, rivers and waterfalls, coastal and marine habitats

(our shores and the sea around us) and their biodiversity (the creatures which

thrive in those habitats) to provide natural resources and the services upon

which we depend for life. You can see that this is a very complex and

interconnected proposition; definitely overwhelming for us, one species.

Accepting that sustainability – and specifically human sustainability – is so

dependent on and connected to the web of life, we must come to understand that

it is in our own interest to not act in ways that compromise life-sustaining

systems. We – whose very existence may be put at risk – have the responsibility

for maintaining environmental quality. We must choose to become environmental

stewards.

Is that what we mean by sustainability and stewardship?

When we in Tobago talk about environmental sustainability, we refer to it

in an economic,

developmental and social context. We take the “humans first” approach and are

actually talking about more than survival; our “uses for” and our “wants.” Our

concept of sustainability has gone way beyond our “needs.” This attitude

inevitably leads to environmental “trade- offs,” within which Development

prospers and the natural systems suffer.

Most importantly, when envisioning our “wants” we must understand that

there is no such thing as “sustainable use” of non-renewable resources in any of

the systems, land or marine, mentioned. Everything we “use,” is a loss. Even as

we are still learning about the real value of natural ecosystem resources, our

developmental plans must take into account those laws and policies already

existing for ecosystem protection. We have to work collectively to ensure that all

can prosper without “trade- offs”. NGO’s and CBO’s that traditionally act as the

“watch dogs” and stewards of proper land use, must be accepted as

environmentally literate and responsible partners. We are not “anti-development”

but we do want to ensure that our development does not put other species at

risk. We should all become stewards of the places where we live.


How do we know what is sustainable? Who decides?

Promoting environmental sustainability today and into the future, requires

that we be circumspect and responsible. We must respect the laws and policies

governing our environment. Meaningful consultation between communities,

government agencies, developers and civil society in a holistic and realistic manner

will go a long way in alleviating problems and in conserving the environment.

To help us along this road, the United Nations Development Program put

together a blueprint for development in 2015 called the 17 Sustainable

Development Goals that can help us protect the environment, while guiding its use.

Among these goals are basic ones like no poverty, zero hunger, quality education,

gender equality; but also, sustainable cities and communities, climate action, and

maintaining life in the ocean and life on land. You can see the full list here:

https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/

The THA and our Government - among most nations in the world - have

adopted these goals, and are working towards mainstreaming them into all policies

and plans. But basically, communities must inform and empower themselves, and

have a voice in decision-making.

How do we have a voice?

Get involved in the environmental CBO’s and NGO’s in communities in

Tobago; at the very least, pay attention to what is being said. We all have a duty to

become stewards and advocate for positive environmental practices and ethics by

example in our work places and homes. We must on an ongoing basis educate

ourselves. We must teach, research, train, partner, develop innovative community

and outdoor school programs and lectures that will engender an environmentally

literate population and lead to a greater understanding of the issues confronting us

in order to help arrive at solutions to address them.

The process is slow but we have to cultivate positive mindsets and habits

about issues that affect our environments on land and in the sea. We must not feel

hopeless in the ability to bring about these changes. Government agencies must also

find ways to exhibit and actively promote these new policies in the work place, and

by effective governance.

What if we don’t do anything?

We cannot continue to live in the current mode. Mankind has caused an

alarming decline in our ecosystems and in the biodiversity of species. We should be

frightened. We have lived as though there is no tomorrow. All is not yet lost.

Tobago can be an example – we can do our part to stem the tide; for instance, we

can advocate to declare the island plastic and Styrofoam free. On an ongoing basis,

we can clean our wetlands and beaches. We can make choices in our daily lives to

use recyclable or natural materials in our homes, at fetes and parties, and in public

spaces and entertainment venues. We can plant trees to help to mitigate the effects

of a changing climate. We can make all of Tobago – not just the Main Ridge or the

reefs – a protected island.

We can all help ourselves and each other to make these changes. We must

each of us become a steward of where we live.

“ To many p eopl e these tall pea ks make fo r a c hallen ging b ut scenic hike. Bu t they a re not jus t a no the r tall m oun tain to climb . ”


PHOTOS FROM GEF’S INFORMATION WORKSHOP!

GEF ECW-The Trinidad & Tobago Team- NGO's, OFP's (EMA) and PFP

(Ministry of Planning & Environment attend the GEF-Global Environmental

Facility Information Workshop on the workings and operations of the GEF-

Extended Constituency Workshop. This was held in St. Lucia on May 28th to

31st. At this workshop projects funded by the GEF, as well as working

relationships with NGO's and CBO's were discussed. The team from Trinidad and Tobago comprised; Lanya Fanovich (ERIC),

Nicole Leotaud (Canari), Pat Turpin (GEF CSO RFP (Regional Focal Point

Caribbean)). Heydon Romano (EMA (OFP-Operational Focal Point T&T))

with Candice Clarence and Lester Doodnath (IMA), David Persaud (Ministry

of Planning and Environment) and Candace Gabriel and Javed Lachan (PFP–

Political Focal Point T&T).

The

T&T

Team!

ARTICLES


Taking care of the treasure isle Bertrand Bhikarry

As the story goes Robert Louis Stevenson was thinking Tobago when he

wrote ‘Treasure Island’. Which, though fiction is cute because treasures require, well,

treasuring. The Tobago environmental plan which even as I write is also fiction and

therefore is not as famous as Robby L’s piece, still has a large part to play in the

island’s fortunes. And here’s the plot matey.

Almost a third of Tobago landspace is reserved for posterity. Speaking here

of the Main Ridge Forest, a sizeable chunk of Buccoo and Little Tobago, a bird

infested rock fit for, well, birds. All of which is a good thing, as natural ecosystems

require privacy in order to function. On the other hand, Tobago’s population is itself

growing so there is pressure for building space, roads and the like. Given the lack of a

clear and binding socio-eco-economic plan, it stands to reason that adhoc or

unplanned development will prevail. Such is already commonplace in Trinidad, evident

with the north-south trainline communities, the Sealots enclave and the Laventille

Hills naming those easiest to mind.

In this context the recently convened Tobago Environmental Partnerships

conference was based on two important considerations. It sought ideas from event

attendees to secure local livelihoods - never simple in a tiny geography. And it was,

still is, intended to kick off the process that will generate the Tobago Environmental

Management Plan. Neither idea has gained traction beyond the Conference effort

itself. Though to be fair the machinery is not exactly in stasis. As a co-host of the

Partnerships conference it falls therefore to the non-profit Environment Tobago to

report to the public what is happening. Or isn’t, if that is the case.

But first the public thank you’s. Environment Tobago and the other event

organizers wishes to say a heartfelt ‘gracias’ to Her Excellency the President of the

Republic Ms Paula Mae-Weekes ORTT. Hers was the voice of authority required at

the time. The lady came, she delivered. It was also a gracious touch of community

spirit, never lacking indeed, that the House of Assembly provided material support as

well as presence. As well as assurances that the Partnerships thrust will go on. And of

course, many many thanks are due to the German Head of Mission Mr Andreas

Haack for spending the entire two days with us, and for bringing some of his

country’s money that will eventually go to post conference and tangible outputs.

Everyone above therefore has proved dedication to the cause, nothing less. A very

special Thanks also go out Shell Trinidad and Tobago for material support. They did

more than just pay some conference expense though. Shell’s contribution set the bar

for private sector interest in sustainable development (a good deed for which they’ll

probably be punished further down the road). Finally, though not last in any sense we

recognize the people who took the time to attend the Conference. They prove

beyond doubt that Tobago has a cadre of stewards, with legs, arms and brains in all

the sectors. A heartfelt nod to the comradeship.

Yet in moving forward the issue of sustainable development still needs to be

addressed. It is already a fair assumption that almost any occupation, if it is to achieve

sustainability cannot just take without replacing something, cannot use without

“Yet in moving

forward the issue

of sustainable

development still

needs to be

addressed."

responsible disposal or re-manufacturing, cannot displace without allowing for spread -

especially in nature. Tobago, given its tourism bent, is more susceptible than most to

the harmful effects of unsustainable development and consequently may want to be

quicker to the proverbial ball. That Environmental Management Plan is what we talking

about.

How to start? As it stands, most of the groundwork is in place. We know the

Main Ridge forest is protected, as is the Buccoo - Bon Accord Complex; the fancy

name for the Buccoo Reef ecosystem. It is recognized too that all the wetlands perform

intrinsic, vital and irreplaceable functions to the food chain and to climatic balance at

some point. We also understand that the watershed areas need adequate tree cover, if

we are to ensure rainwater stays with us long enough to use.

The actual drafting of an environmental management plan however does

require some political, social and economic horse-trading. That has proved problematic

in the past and probably is still factors into why none is in existence. History provides

an example in the case of the Buccoo Reef Marine Park. Some time ago circa the debut

of Windows 95, the Tobago House of Assembly - under advice from the Institute of

Marine Affairs, sought to establish the landward boundaries of The Park. Simply

mapping highwater marks for 25, 50 or even 100 years was inadequate if the entire

range of stressors were to be contained - the surveyors felt. So, they drew a boundary

that included all the southwest settlements draining effluent, dishwater and what-have-

you’s into the Buccoo Bon Accord catchment. Had the park boundary become a thing,

the way would have been paved, using a single (albeit important) locality as proof that

environmental management is a Tobago priority.

This time around - the post-2019 Conference era, it would be nice to see all

new Tobago development projects adhering to the understanding that times are

different, lessons are learnt and sense must prevail. We simply do not have the time to

proceed as per normal development-wise until a ‘proper’ guiding document is drawn

up. Needless to say, in hoping for the best outcome Tobago Environment Management

plan-wise, the Partnership Conference stakeholders will try best to act as viable

proxies. What more can we do?



“Almost a third of

Tobago landspace

is reserved for

posterity."

SOME OF

TRINIDAD

&

TOBAGO’S

BIODIVERSITY Cocrico

(Didelphis marsupialis) Photo by Environment

TOBAGO

Water Lily

(Family: Nymphaeaceae)

Photo by John Seyjagal


ECOLOGY NOTES

“With our

growing

global human

population, it

is now more

than every

before that

we learn to

live in

harmony with

the other

species that

we share this

planet."

Looking at population growth Jo-Anne Nina Sewlal

Ecology aims to help us to better understand our environment and the species

that call it home. With our growing global human population, it is now more than

every before that we learn to live in harmony with the other species that we share this

planet. One way this can be achieved is by studying the populations of species and their

growth rate. A population is the number if individuals of a species found in an area. It is

important to study and understand populations. In particular how and why they grown

so that they can be managed for instance in terms of protecting the species,

conservation, and the introduction of new species to an area. The latter may be in

order for the new species to take over a job that another species in the area does but

is now extinct. Or it could be to control the population of another species which is the

case with biological control agents. Populations can either show exponential growth or logistic growth.

Exponential growth produces a J-shaped pattern or curve so, it appears as though the

population will not stop growing. This shows the maximum population growth under

ideal conditions referred to as an intrinsic rate of increase. In reality a population cannot continue to grow forever so, the second type of

growth curve is an S-shaped or logistic growth curve. You can see that at the top part

of the “S” is relatively flat indicating that the rate of growth has reached its limit. The

growth rate of a population stops or slows down due to factors such as a predator or

a lack of resources like water, food, shelter. Population size can be

supported by the resources

available in that area. There

are only so many individuals

that the environmental

resources can support. This is

called the carrying capacity of

the ecosystem. Various factors affect

the future growth rate of a

population for example, a

limited food supply, build-up of toxic wastes, predation or diseases can cause the birth

rate of a population to decrease or the death rate of the population to increase. For

scientists to better understand how populations grow they plot the size of the

population vs. time on charts. Two generalized models or patterns occur which

provide scientists with very important information on species populations.

Two types of population growth curves


Volunteers needed! Persons who are interested in helping with cataloguing and

filing of ET’s educational, research and operational material

and archiving.

Environment TOBAGO Environmental

and Services Map of Tobago

They are excellent and will be published every two years.

Published in January 2008. Requests for these maps can be

made to ET office.

ET is now on Facebook and Twitter

We invite everyone on Facebook to join. Here we will post

upcoming events, links, photos and videos on ET matters and

other environmental issues.

ET group link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/

group.php?gid=53362888661&ref=ts

And keep up to date on what we are up to by following us

on Twitter: https://twitter.com/environ_tobago

WHAT’S HAPPENING @ ET

New Members ET has a membership of 434 worldwide, ET welcomes the following members:

Chinyere Balfour and Tamara Stark

The Tropical Rainforest of Tobago — The Main Ridge

Graham Wellfare and Hema Singh

Published by Environment TOBAGO pp 37

Price: TT120.

Literature

Available


Type: Lady’s tees

Size: Small & Medium

Price: TT$100.00 Colours: Lime green, red

and black Description: ET logo

printed on front and

sponsor logo at the back

centre

Type: Regular tees

Size: Small, Medium & Large

Price: TT$100.00 Colours: Kelly green, red,

black, navy blue, ash, pur-

ple, royal blue and black

forest Description: ET logo print-

ed on front and sponsor

logos on sleeves at the

back centre

Type: Polos

Size: Small, Medium & Large

Price: TT$150.00 Colours: Kelly green, royal

blue, red, gold and ash grey Description: ET logo em-

broidered on left breast,

sponsor’s logo printed on

the back.

Orders can be made through

the office.

Price:

TT$120.00

Environment TOBAGO t-shirts and caps now available

Products featuring artwork

from Rainforest Education

& Awareness Programme

Tote bags-TT$120 Burlap bags -TT$120

Drawstring bags-TT$130

Postcards

TT$15 per card or TT$100 for a pack of

GUIDELINES TO CONTRIBUTORS

Articles on the natural history and environment are welcome especially those on

Trinidad and Tobago.

Articles should not exceed approximately 1200 words (2 pages) and the editors

reserve the right to edit the length. Images should be submitted as separate files.

Submit material to any of the following: 1) [email protected]

2) [email protected]

Deadline for submission of material for the 3rd Quarter 2019 issue of

the Bulletin is September 10, 2019.

READERS’ FORUM

Dear ET Newsletter Readers,

We want to hear from YOU!

Comments may be edited for length and clarity.

Send your comments to: [email protected]

or [email protected]

Office: 11 Cuyler Street Scarborough,

Tobago, W.I.

Mailing address: P.O. Box 503,

Scarborough, Tobago, W.I.

Phone: 1-868-660-7467 E-mail:

[email protected]


We are on the web http://

www.Environmenttobago.net

Environment TOBAGO newsl etter

Documents

Transcript of Environment TOBAGO newsl etter