First Meeting of the 'Environmental Club' in Providenciales

Thursday evening 6pm and the colourful and interesting group chaired by DECR's(Department of Environment and Coastal Resources) fauna and flora expert Mr.B.Naqqui Manco sat round the table to discuss forward thinking ideas and initiatives that would call on the assistance of dedicated environmental activists from around the Islands to assist in the many projects aimed to protect the land and marine environment of the Turks and Caicos.

The mission of the Club is in fact "to increase awareness and involvement of residents and visitors as stakeholders of TCI's ecosystems and environment".

Some of the goals of the Club are to :-

1) Revive and continue more aggressively the initiatives and goals   formulated by the 'Beautiful Bush Working Group' whose aim was to conserve and protect the TCI's unique natural terrestrial ecosystems"

As Development moves in and clears large tracts of land it is important to monitor the impact on fragile plants and bushes and diligently work towards 'minimum impact' by protecting, conserving and replanting many of the various species. 

2) The Caicos Pine Recovery Project  is essentially to reestablish the National tree of the Turks and Caicos free of detrimental disease. 
3) The object of 'Native Plant Recovery' is to set up and is in fact in the making, a Plant Biodiversity Consevation Nursery for endangered and endemic species.
4) Identification of various species of birds from around the Islands.

5) Scientific Officer and marine specialist Mr.Marlin Hibbert also spoke on the importance of protecting the reefs and the need for reef monitoring and scientific scuba diving groups to assess and where possible mitigate , reef damage, coral bleaching, lionfish invasion and pollution..
Officer Hibbert also spoke about creating a marine garden which essentially is enhancing and adding to the marine plants already in existance.

The Environmental Club would like to see :-
1) More lectures and dicussions about TCI-related environmental issues especially from International Researchers.
2)Concentrate and  focus more on the promotion of  native crafts, cuisine, underwater photography etc with workshops and interactive participation throughout the Islands.
3) More clean up events and greater awareness programs for keeping the islands clean.
4) Sub groups formed with special interests like raising orchids, cacti, chicken farming, bird watching,counting and monitoring.

Who can join the Club?  ANYONE
Any dedicated person with an interest in the environment and who would like to volunteer their time and energy in any way shape or form.
Certainly the Club would like to attract people who feel they can hold a workshop on a special interest. Your 'forte' may be teaching young children about the environment or simply even how to swim and snorkel.
 Perhaps you would like to demonstrate the art of how to press flowers or maybe you are passionate about saving the endangered  turtles or humpback whales.
Perhaps you would like to lead a nature walk or give a talk on global warming,energy conservaton, pollution or changing weather patterns..
Your strength however maybe in locating grants, raising funds or holding fund raising parties which are vital and necessary tin helping many of these worthwhile projects get off the ground.
If you are interested please call the DECR at 9415122 or come along first thursday in every month to The DECR centre in Provo.


The list of topics are  endless and ultimately priceless as we all work together  to protect and enhance the natural environment in which we live and breathe..