May 22nd will be observed globally as “International Day of Biodiversity.”
According to a press release from the TCI National Trust, when one think about biological diversity and conservation, they’re likely to quite accurately name eastern Africa, the Amazonian rainforest, and perhaps Madagascar as very special places where remarkable plants and animals live.
The Turks & Caicos Islands National Trust recognizes that while it is true that these places have plenty of ecological species, island nations, including our “Beautiful by Nature” Turks & Caicos Islands, have a rich and diverse ecosystem.
Islands and their surrounding ‘near-shore’ marine areas, constitute unique ecosystems, often comprising many plant and animal species that are endemic – in other words, found nowhere else on Earth. The legacy of a unique evolutionary history, these ecosystems are irreplaceable treasures.
They are also key to the livelihood, economy, well-being and cultural identity of Islanders.
Here in the Turks & Caicos Islands this year, highlight for the international celebration of Biodiversity Day on Thursday May 22nd is on the biological richness of the islands. The TCI National Trust said the theme, “Island Biodiversity,” was chosen to coincide with the designation by the United Nations General Assembly of 2014 as the International Year of Small Island Developing States.
It is in this regard, that the Turks & Caicos National Trust is launching a biodiversity awareness campaign, aimed at disseminating information about the TCI’s endemic species, as well as invasive plants to students, planners, managers, relevant government agencies, and the general public.
For this purpose, the National Trust is distributing posters of the endemic and invasive species, and will conduct talks and presentations at different schools and agencies.
In further support of habitat conservation and preservation, the Trust has also announced that through the Sandals Foundation, and with help from the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA), a mangrove planting exercise was initiated at Little Water Cay (LWC). Over one hundred red mangrove seedlings were planted this week, and a follow-up activity at LWC is now being planned.
“Turks & Caicos is blessed with natural beauty endowed with splendid biodiversity. Let us conserve and appreciate them. Spread the word!” the National Trust said in its release.
For more information about the National Trust conservation projects and how you can help, you may contact them at (649) 941-5710 or send an e-mail to tc.nattrust@yahoo.com.
