E n viron men t TO BA GO n ewsl etter
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n v i r o n m e n t TOBAGO (ET) is a non-government, 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
BHP Community Walk Event
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GEF and CSO’s meeting
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Public Consultation
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Education—TRREP
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Eco Adventure Summer Camps
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Articles
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Ecology Notes
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T&T’s Biodiversity
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What’s Happening @ ET
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Notes to contributors
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Environment TOBAGO
September 2019
BHP COMMUNITY WALK EVENT BARRY LOVELACE, ET
Kerton Jobe, Khadisha, and I delivered a coordinated ET representation at BHP's Community Walk 2019 event. Immediately after Mr Vincent Pereira (President, BHP) declared the event open, and even before we were able to fully set up, a large group of BHP employees eagerly gathered around ET's booth, waiting to engage us! I am not sure what caused the particular "attraction"... maybe that we were from Tobago?... or maybe that we looked unique in our blue and khaki uniforms (all other organizations were all in orange BHP polos). We quickly set up and delivered a presentation about ET - our vision, mission, and strategies - and highlighted the projects the BHP has been supporting namely, Tobago Ridge to Reef Education Program (TRREP) and Keep A School Clean Award Programme (KACSAP). The group listened with much interest and at the end, some stayed on to converse and ask questions throughout the morning. Several of them expressed interest in having the staff of BHP organize a trip to Tobago to experience the TRREP. One of ET's directors, Andrea Tuitt, who is based in Trinidad, came on site to visit and encourage us This event presented a great networking experience for ET where; Toco Foundation has expressed interest in ET's KACSAP. At present they are implementing a BHP sponsored school waste recycle program in Northeast Trinidad. The idea was put forward for a possible collaboration with support from BHP to allow for expansion of KACSAP to North Trinidad. Further talks to ensue. ReNew TT is a BHP sponsored organization that has implemented renewable energy school competitions/projects. In a past visit to ET, Sheldon reported that he suggested to ReNew TT that they may find interest in collaborating with ET on their school project, given our track record for working with schools. We were able BHP Bilton welcoming committee which to meet the main functionary of ReNew TT and included Corporate Affairs Manager, Dr. mutually agreed to have follow-up conversations Carla Noel-Mendez (centre) and in the future, with the view of possible President, Mr. Vincent Pereira (right). collaboration/s.
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Environment TOBAGO newsletter
More photos from the BHP Community Walk Event!
September 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 Barry Lovelace Patricia Turpin Environment TOBAGO Photographs: Simone DeLabastide Marc DeVerteuil Jerome Foster Trinibats 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
SOME OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO’S BIODIVERSITY
Bare-eyed thrush (Didelphis marsupialis) Photo by Simone De Labastide
Mora tree (Mora excelsa) Photo by Marc DeVerteuil
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Environment TOBAGO newsletter
GEF AND CSO’S MEETING
Photos from the GEF meeting in Washington DC, U.S.A. in June. During this meeting CSO's consulted with business leaders on plastic management and disposal
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Environment TOBAGO newsletter
PUBLIC CONSULTATION HONOURING NORTH-EAST TOBAGO’s NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE AIMING FOR THE HIGHEST INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION The Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and the Environment sent out a call to all stakeholders inclusive of residents and landowners of North-East Tobago to participate in a public consultation on an application to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. The consultation, which sought to gain international recognition for outstanding natural and cultural heritage of North-East Tobago took place on 12 September 2019 at the St. Barnabas Anglican Primary School, Roxborough at 6.30p.m. As part of the application criteria, stakeholders aimed to demonstrate to UNESCO that North-East Tobago is a very special place with unique art, craft, dance, festivals as well as outstanding ecosystems and biodiversity. It is for this reason that the consultation was fashioned to not only provide details of the project but more importantly, to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss ideas. Overall, the MAB award will offer many benefits to the island. Benefits range from improving the brand as a community and eco-tourism destination to attracting financial and technical support along with partnerships. Moreover, it will provide the opportunity to exchange ideas with other countries and learn from communities with similar issues. In principle, being a MAB area means that NorthEast Tobago makes a commitment to the world that its people will protect the unique culture and nature whilst sharing its knowledge. In exchange, the United Nations will include Tobago in a very special group of places that are worthy to be supported, visited and admired. Within this context, activities which protect and nurture Tobago’s heritage will be promoted and facilitated, while unsustainable activities that harm the island’s heritage will be strongly discouraged and existing laws increasingly enforced. The proposed areas within the project include all communities from Moriah to Charlotteville and from Speyside to Kendall. Additionally, it would include the planned Marine Protected Area, which will be a created to improve sustainable fisheries, conservation and livelihood opportunities. Details of the proposed zones follow for deliberation and active participation Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme in by the community. North East Tobago
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
ABOUT THE MAP The area would be divided into three zones: 1. Core Zone, which will consist of already protected areas: the Main Ridge Forest Reserve, Little Tobago, and St Giles; 2. Buffer Zone, which will allow for responsible tourism, sustainable agriculture, forestry and fishing, research, education and training, and 3. Transition Zone, which will include all communities and 820ft on each side of any road, for all other commercial activities, aiming to improve sustainability over time.
EDUCATION Environment TOBAGO, in collaboration with key stakeholders of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), will be offering the “Tobago Ridge to Reef Education Program (TRREP)” for secondary schools throughout Tobago during the second and third school terms of the school year. This campaign is based on the rationale that the Tobago economy relies heavily upon the goods and services provided by the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, which include: rainforests, wetlands, beaches, seagrass beds and coral reefs. The Division of Education, Innovation, and Energy (and by extension, the Ministry of Education), has long recognized the interconnectivity between ecological integrity and socio-economic well-being of our citizens. It has done so by including, at all levels of the school curriculum, topics that require knowledge of, and appreciation for, these ecosystems and the services they provide. The TRREP is therefore designed to “lift” these topics from the pages of the syllabi and textbooks and bring them to life in a more practical way for students and teachers by: delivering curriculum-relevant, local content on the value of Rainforests, Wetlands, Seagrass Beds and Coral Reefs of Tobago, to senior students (third to the sixth form) of all secondary schools in Tobago; • engaging students in experiential Learning Journeys in three (3) thematic areas Watershed Ecosystems (e.g., Forests, Rivers, Birds, Wildlife, etc.)
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Environment TOBAGO newsletter
Coastal Ecosystems (e.g. Wetlands, Beaches, etc.) Marine Ecosystems (e.g. Coral Reefs, Fisheries etc.)
empowering teachers who are responsible for imparting knowledge of the ecosystem aspects of the upper-school syllabi, with methods, information and resource options. These Learning Journeys will be coordinated and conducted by competent professionals from ET and partner agencies such as the Departments of the Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries, THA. Safety will be paramount, and therefore, precautions will be in place to ensure the said (e.g., students will not be permitted to interface directly with water bodies). •
Some photos from our TRREP where students learnt about the rainforest, wetlands and other ecosystems.
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
EDUCATION (CONT’D)
ECO ADVENTURE SUMMER CAMPS
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Environment TOBAGO newsletter
ARTICLES Laying a Foundation:Training for Leaders of Caribbean Nongovernmental Organizations Environment TOBAGO Environment Tobago is an environmental nongovernmental organization (NGO), established in 1999 and registered under the Trinidad and Tobago Companies Act of 1995. As a proactive advocacy group, Environment Tobago rallies the public to engage in environmental stewardship, conservation, and sustainable development. The organization has over 100 registered members, managed by an elected board of directors, three salaried staff members, one on-the-job trainee expected to join the team soon, and occasional volunteers. Most of its fieldwork is accomplished by volunteers “I am the most senior member of staff at and members. Barry Lovelace, a senior member Environment Tobago, and have worked for environmental NGOs for more than 15 years. of the staff, says he first became aware of The Local Capacity for Local Solutions timely the USAID Local Capacity for Local intervention into my career path has, so far, Solutions (LCLS) program in July 2018, had a very significant positive impact within a when a colleague forwarded a call for short space of time.” LOVELACE, MSC, Environmental Expressions of Interest that had been BARRY Education Coordinator, ET. issued by the Caribbean Policy Development Centre in Barbados. It was an invitation for senior NGO staff to participate in a regional workshop on advocacy. Mr. Lovelace recalled that the application process required significant time and effort; “however, recognizing the potential value of the offer, I made time in my busy schedule to attend to it. Upon retrospect, this turned out (and is still turning out) to be a very valuable decision. My proposal was successful and as a result, a chain of opportunities has kept opening up, thanks to the LCLS team.” The leaders’ workshop took place in Guyana, July 10–13, 2018. In addition to teaching the attendees proven techniques for successful advocacy, the session allowed them to network with other regional NGOs on various aspects of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mr. Lovelace reflected that this exposure helped him to “broaden my perspective of the sustainable development efforts in the region. Now I don’t feel so alone.” The leaders who participated in the workshop created a social network platform, where they frequently interact and support each other. According to Mr. Lovelace, “I am of the view that the NGO sector will lead the way to meaningful Caribbean Community integration, and Environment Tobago is well on the way.” Second, the advocacy workshop led to a follow-up invitation from LCLS to
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
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submit concept papers for a “Comprehensive Capacity Grant.” Environment Tobago submitted a competitive proposal and was shortlisted. Mr. Lovelace was eventually invited to a proposal-writing clinic in Trinidad, sponsored by LCLS, to be guided in writing the full proposal: “This was the first workshop I had been to, in all my years of attending workshops, where the output of the workshop was the development of an actual proposal that will go forward for evaluation and potential approval.” Further, he explained, “I left the workshop feeling more competent, such that, even if my proposal were to end up being out-competed (which I doubt), I am confident that the skills I developed during that week of training will allow me to pursue successful proposals in the near future.” Third, although Environment Tobago’s Comprehensive Capacity Grant proposal was still under review as of this writing, if successful, it is envisioned to deliver tremendous development benefits to the organization and to the individuals who were tapped to undertake the various activities. The proposal focused on three areas of capacity: • Fundraising and resource mobilization • Upgrading of the financial management system • Setup of a database management system Fourth, Mr. Lovelace learned of an LCLS- sponsored opportunity for a scholarship to take an online certification course — “Essentials of NGO Management”— administered by LCLS’s major partner in the Caribbean, the University of the West Indies. He applied for the course and scholarship, was accepted, and presently is working toward the certificate. He shared, “Although I am midway through this course, already the experiences there have improved my ability to express a clearer vision for Environment Tobago. I am better able to see the big picture, and I also am able to see myself in a leading role within the NGO sector in Tobago, helping to chart the way for a more sustainable society as the island makes its contribution to the SDGs.”
SOME OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO’S BIODIVERSITY Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani ) Photo by Jerome Foster
Funnel-eared bat (Chilonatalus micropus ) Photo by Trinibats
“ 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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Environment TOBAGO newsletter
ECOLOGY NOTES
What is Predation? Jo-Anne Nina Sewlal
“predation leads to coevolution where predator and prey species become locked in a duel of escalating adaptations."
When we think of predators and prey, the images of lions chasing gazelles across an African savannah may pop into out minds. But as we will see, predation is not such a simple interaction between two species and actually influences the population dynamics of an ecosystem. Predation can be defined as the process by which individuals of one species (predators) capture, kill, and consume individuals of another species (prey). Therefore, a predator’s survival depends on its ability to catch its prey. For example, a Mapepire snake’s venom has to be potent enough to kill an animal like a mouse quickly so that the snake does not exert too much energy chasing it to consume it. Another example is the web of a spider which has the task of keeping prey like insects immobile on its An example of true predation sticky strands, giving the spider enough time to get to it and inject it with venom. In turn, a prey’s survival depends on its ability to avoid being caught for example, their development of camouflage, or physical/chemical defences or the ability to mimic a poisonous species to escape being eaten. There are three types of predators. The first type is called true predators. These species kill their prey immediately on attacking them. Then there are partial predators where the prey is usually not killed but many prey organisms affected during predator’s an example of this would be grazing animals like cows, and the prey would be grass. Finally, there are parasitoids, which lay eggs on or in prey and then eggs hatch and developing offspring consume the prey from inside its body. In response, prey species have evolved a myriad of mechanisms to avoid becoming another species’ meal, which include changing their behaviour for instance, some animals may switch to being active during the night rather than during the day to avoid being detected by predators. There are also physiological defence mechanisms for example, a favourite prey of blue jays is butterflies. However, when it eats a Monarch butterfly, it vomits. This is because the butterfly’s main food source is nectar from the milkweed plant which contains cardiac glycosides. Some prey species have evolved what are referred to as morphological defence mechanisms which affect their appearance such as, the quills on porcupines. Another type of morphological defence mechanism is referred to as crypsis, where the prey’s body colouration matches the background it spends most time on. So, for example if it spends a lot of time in trees it will be green in colour to blend it with the leaves. Some prey species have also evolved aposematic or warning colouration
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which describes colouration and other markings that send a signal to predators to keep away, often because the owner is poisonous or simply tastes bad. Warning colours are usually two contrasting ones, such as yellow and black, in stripes or blobs so that even colour-blind animals can see patterns. Prey species also use mimicry as a morphological defence mechanism. There are two types of mimicry. Batesian mimicry in which a palatable species mimics a harmful “model” species for example, some harmless fly species mimic the black and yellow stripes of bees and wasps so that the predators avoid both the harmful ones that can give them a good sting and the flies which have no such defense mechanism. There is also Müllerian mimicry in which two or more harmful species come to resemble each other for example bees and wasps have similar striping. You would recall that we mentioned that herbivores are predators as well, so that plants have also developed adaptations to protect them from predators by making them difficult to eat such as, spines, thorns, tough leaves. Plants can also produce Grazing animals are also considered predators secondary compounds as a defence mechanism. These compounds are synthesized from products of the plant’s metabolism and are usually poisonous, irritating, or bad-tasting for example, poison ivy and poison oak. Why is it so important to study predation and know which species is hunting another? It is important because predation influences the numbers and distribution of both predator and prey species in an ecosystem. Predation also has evolutionary ramifications for instance, natural selection leads to evolution of adaptations that make predators better hunters. This means that individuals who are better at catching prey will survive and live longer, healthier lives and go on to mate and reproduce. They are also able to provide food and thus take better care of offspring. On the other hand, since prey are at risk of immediate death, they develop elaborate defenses against being eaten. So we see that predation leads to coevolution where predator and prey species become locked in a duel of escalating adaptations also referred to as an “evolutionary arms race”, with each species evolving new responses to the other.
“When we think of predators and prey, the images of lions chasing gazelles across an African savannah may pop into out minds." “ 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 436 worldwide, ET welcomes the following members:
Jeremy Knott and Jeremiah Ramcharan
Literature Available
The Tropical Rainforest of Tobago — The Main Ridge Graham Wellfare and Hema Singh Published by Environment TOBAGO pp 37 Price: TT120.
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
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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
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
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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 4th Quarter 2019 issue of the Bulletin is December 10, 2019.