E n viron men t TO BA GO n ewsl etter
E
nvironment TOBAGO (ET) is a nongovernment, non-profit, volunteer 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 environmental outreach programmes. Environment TOBAGO is funded mainly through grants and membership fees. These funds go back into implementing our projects. We are grateful to all our sponsors over the years and thank them for their continued support
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hat’s inside
Tobago Partnership Conference
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Events!
4
Resource Mobilization Strategy Training
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Education
6
Environmental Stewardship
7
GEF’s Info Workshop
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Articles
6
Earth Day 2019
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T&T’s Biodiversity
3,4,11
Ecology Notes
13
What’s Happening @
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Notes to contributors
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Environment TOBAGO
March—June 2019
THE TOBAGO PARTNERSHIP CONFERENCE 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 Mr Linford Beckles welcoming of the Environment (DoE) in the DIQE welcomed participants during the opening participants. He recognized all stakeholders involved in the ceremony planning of the conference and the financial contributions
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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 Mr Bertrand Bhikarry giving remarks during the development. He ended by thanking opening ceremony 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 Councillor Kwesi Des Vignes bringing welcome partnership more can be achieved in the remarks during the opening ceremony 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.
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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
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Environment TOBAGO newsletter
EVENTS
SOME OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO’S BIRDLIFE
White-tailed Sabrewing hummingbird (Campylopterus ensipennis)
Blue-backed Manakins (Chiroxiphia pareola)
Photos by Theodore Ferguson
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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.
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Environment TOBAGO newsletter
EDUCATION
ECO CAMPS AND CLEAN SCHOOL "TRASH TO CASH"
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
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.
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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.
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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 GEFExtended 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).
“ To many p eopl e t hes e tall pea ks make fo r a c hallen ging b ut s cenic hike. B u t t hey a re not jus t a no the r t all m oun tain to climb . ”
The T&T Team!
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Environment TOBAGO newsletter
ARTICLES Taking care of the treasure isle Bertrand Bhikarry
“Yet in moving forward the issue of sustainable development still needs to be addressed."
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
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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-haveyou’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?
SOME OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO’S BIODIVERSITY Cocrico (Didelphis marsupialis) Photo by Environment TOBAGO
Water Lily (Family: Nymphaeaceae) Photo by John Seyjagal
“Almost a third of Tobago landspace is reserved for posterity."
“ To many p eopl e t hes e tall pea ks make fo r a c hallen ging b ut s cenic hike. B u t t hey a re not jus t a no the r t all m oun tain to climb . ”
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ECOLOGY NOTES 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 Two types of population growth curves 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.
“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." “ To many p eopl e t hes e tall pea ks make fo r a c hallen ging b ut s cenic hike. B u t t hey a re not jus t a no the r t all m oun tain to climb . ”
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WHAT’S HAPPENING @ ET
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
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.
Volunteers needed!
Persons who are interested in helping with cataloguing and filing of ET’s educational, research and operational material and archiving.
New Members
ET has a membership of 434 worldwide, ET welcomes the following members:
Chinyere Balfour and Tamara Stark
Literature Available
The Tropical Rainforest of Tobago — The Main Ridge Graham Wellfare and Hema Singh Published by Environment TOBAGO pp 37 Price: TT120.
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Environment TOBAGO t-shirts and caps now available
Type: Polos Size: Small, Medium & Large Price: TT$150.00 Colours: Kelly green, royal blue, red, gold and ash grey Description: ET logo embroidered on left breast, sponsor’s logo printed on the back.
Type: Regular tees Size: Small, Medium & Large Price: TT$100.00 Colours: Kelly green, red, black, navy blue, ash, purple, royal blue and black forest Description: ET logo printed on front and sponsor logos on sleeves at the back centre
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
Price: TT$120.00
Orders can be made through the office.
Products featuring artwork from Rainforest Education & Awareness Programme
Tote bags-TT$120
Burlap bags -TT$120
Postcards TT$15 per card or TT$100 for a pack of Drawstring bags-TT$130
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READERS’ FORUM Dear ET Newsletter Readers, Office:
Mailing address:
11 Cuyler Street Scarborough, Tobago, W.I. P.O. Box 503, Scarborough, Tobago, W.I.
Phone: 1-868-660-7467 E-mail: office@environmenttobago.net
We want to hear from YOU! Comments may be edited for length and clarity. Send your comments to: joannesewlal@gmail.com or envir@tobago.net
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) joannesewlal@gmail.com 2) envir@tobago.net
We are on the web http:// www.Environmenttobago.net
Deadline for submission of material for the 3rd Quarter 2019 issue of the Bulletin is September 10, 2019.