The Report on the Socio-economic Study related to PAs in Trinidad and Tobago is now available online. The study, which was undertaken in 2019 with the assistance of the Central Statistical Office (CSO) and a technical backstopping team of economists was the first of its kind in Trinidad and Tobago. The report can be accessed at this link.
Today's observance of the International Day for Biodiversity is being marked by the release of five new video features on protected areas in Trinidad and Tobago. The five features are focused on the assets, challenges and stakeholders associated with these sites and underscore the importance of conserving these natural sites. The features can all be viewed on the YouTube channel associated with this website and can be accessed at this link. The Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago produced the features and, in partnership with local television stations, the features will also have national broadcast as an educational resource on 22 May 2020 and thereafter. Tune in and enjoy!
Towards the end of 2019, a series of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Surveys was conducted in communities surrounding six pilot protected areas of focus in the "Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago" project. This series of surveys was a repeat investigation, the first having been carried out in 2016-2017. After the first set of surveys were conducted managers were shared information which guided the development of a communication strategy to build public awareness of these protected areas. The data collected in the new series of surveys allows comparison with earlier findings to both assess the impact of communication and to further advise on areas of continued work that is needed to assist in management of these protected areas.
Reports on these surveys can be found at this link. A Summary Report which compares findings of both series of surveys was also compiled.
The "Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago" project, through its Caroni Swamp Subcommittee hosted two activities at the Visitor Centre of the well-known wetland in recognition of this year's World Wetlands Day observance. These activities, which encouraged the participation of primary school students and teachers, as well as a group of artists and photographers, also piloted novel on-site environmental education approaches in protected areas. A report on these activities is available at this link.
A report on the study undertaken for sustainable financing of protected areas in Trinidad and Tobago is now available on this website. The study was undertaken as a key activity of the "Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago project" (2015-2020). The report outlines various recommendations to financially support the management of protected areas including strategies such as: creation of a legal framework to facilitate partnerships; defining management actions to be financed at the system and site levels; identifying and capitalising a fund for protected area management; redesign of the Green Fund; and undertaking a financial needs assessment for a national protected area management system. The report can be accessed here.
