Planting Seeds in Port of Spain
This week – on March 3rd—we celebrated World Wildlife Day, a day dedication to the diversity of the world’s wildlife and raising the awareness of threats to the our fauna and flora.
Which makes this the perfect time to tell you about the lovely afternoon I spent visiting the Fondes Amandes Community Re-Forestation Project (FACRP), a community based agro-forestry project based in Port of Spain, Trinidad. The organization is committed to uplifting the Trinidadian community through activities that enhance the environment and help create sustainable livelihoods.
Trinidad’s Rich Biodiversity
Trinidad and Tobago possesses one of the highest biodiversity levels in the Caribbean, with more than 2,100 flowering plants (with 2% of these being endemic to Trinidad and Tobago), along with:
- 420 species of birds
- 600 species of butterflies
- 95 types of mammals
- 85 varying reptiles
- 30 amphibians
- 54 species of freshwater fish
Forestry Protection
Started in 1982 by the late Tacuma Jaramogi and his wife Akilah Jaramogi, the couple originally planned to fight the dry-season fires that had been ravaging the local watershed and destroying the island’s delicate wildlife every year.
Today, FACRP has grown to become one of the most innovative and successful eco-projects in the Caribbean and is widely recognized as a model of sustainable development in the region.
Akilah introduces us to the work of her organization in this 2-mintue trailer to the documentary Earth Water Woman. View video here.
Forestry Regeneration
With bush-fire fighting at its core, the project began to expand its activities to include organic agro-forestry activities, such as planting the forest and fruit trees and gathering seeds and other natural materials for use for craft. To date, more than 17,000 trees have been replanted!
Forestry Education
In addition, to protecting the flora of the island, FACRP is intent on sharing Trinidad’s natural bounty with the next generation. The org offers eco-tours for children of all ages, from as young as 6, and frequently visits schools to teach land management techniques.
Check out all these fun activities for the kiddos!
Can’t see the video? Click on this link: FACRP Eco-Tours
Going to Trinidad?
You can get involved in protecting the islands’ natural environment by:
- Making a donation
- Taking an Eco-Tour
- Purchasing plants from the Organic Nursery
- Volunteering
During my visit, I made a small donation and was granted a personal tour by Akilah. I so enjoyed learning more about Trinidad’s natural landscape and how we can all play a part in preserving the beauty that abounds!
Tags: biodiversity, Fondes Amandes Community Re-Forestation Project (FACRP), Trinidad
This entry was posted on Thursday, March 5th, 2015 and is filed under Hot Orgs.