News Releases

UWI Hosts Pollinator Garden Sod Turning Ceremony

For Release Upon Receipt - June 30, 2023

St. Augustine


L-R] Dr Lena Dempewolf, Biodiversity Specialist, Environment Policy and Planning Division, Ministry of Planning and Development, Dr. Brian Cockburn, Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology, The UWI St. Augustine Campus, Ms. Rosemary Lall, Programme Officer, United Nations Development Programme, Hon. Penelope Beckles-Robinson, Minister of Planning and Development, Prof. Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal, The UWI ST. Augustine Campus, Dr. Azad Mohammed, Head (Ag.), Life Sciences Department, The UWI St. Augustine Campus and Prof. Indar Ramnarine, Deputy Principal, The UWI St. Augustine Campus

ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago. June 30, 2023 – The University of the West Indies (The UWI), St. Augustine Campus, in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Development, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Nett TT), proudly launched the Pollinator Garden project on Friday 23rd June 2023 with a sod turning ceremony at the Department of Life Sciences' Peace Park, The UWI St. Augustine Campus. The Pollinator Garden project, will serve as an educational tool and a demonstration location, raising awareness among individuals about the importance of pollinators, such as bees, butterflies and even bats, and the significance of preserving their populations.

Pollinators play a vital role in the reproduction of numerous fruits, vegetables, and plants that are essential components of our diets and are crucial to sustainable agriculture and food security. However, these invaluable species face numerous threats, including habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, diseases, and a lack of data and public awareness. Recognizing these challenges, the Faculty of Science and Technology, through its Department of Life Sciences, has joined forces with the Ministry of Planning and Development, UNDP and BES-Nett TT to tackle this issue head-on. By creating pollinator gardens in public spaces, BES-Nett TT's Practice Output project seeks to provide vital habitat for these species while offering educational opportunities for the public. 

 

Mr. Rajindra Mahabir of the Life Sciences Department, The UWI St. Augustine Campus shows a butterfly specimen to Prof. Indar Ramnarine, Deputy Principal, The UWI St. Augustine Campus, Hon. Penelope Beckles-Robinson, Minister of Planning and Development and Prof. Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Pro Vice-Chancellor & Campus Principal, The UWI ST. Augustine Campus

Highlighting the significance of such initiatives, Planning and Development Minister Pennelope Beckles-Robinson stated, "Simple and small-scale initiatives add up over time and not only help change our environment for the better, but also have the effect of changing mindsets and behaviours."

The partnership with The UWI enables students and professors to actively contribute to the project's implementation, fostering hands-on learning experiences that emphasize the importance of pollinators and their critical role in our ecosystem. Ultimately, the project aims to develop and disseminate policies, practices, and scientific knowledge to conserve and effectively manage pollinators and pollination services throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal, The UWI St. Augustine Campus, Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, "As the leading tertiary learning institution in the region, The UWI is thrilled to champion and support yet another initiative that promotes sustainability, conservation and environmental education. Our efforts to 'green' the campus align perfectly with the establishment of an initial pollinator garden near the existing Department of Life Sciences' butterfly enclosure."

For further information on the Pollinator Garden project, please visit http://www.biodiversity.gov.tt/index.php/bes-net/bes-net-tt.html

END 

Notes to Editor 

The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) is a capacity sharing “network of networks” that promotes dialogue between science, policy and practice for more effective management of biodiversity and ecosystems as an integral part of long-term human well-being and sustainable development. BES-Net is a consortium of the United Nations (UN) agencies, which includes the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and is hosted by the UNDP Global Policy Centre on Resilient Ecosystems and Desertification (GC-RED).  

About The University of the West Indies 

The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for the past 75 years. 

From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with near 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Open Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe. 

The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and wider world. 

The UWI has been consistently ranked among the top universities globally by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its debut in the rankings in 2018. In addition to its leading position in the Caribbean in the World University Rankings, it is also in the top 25 for Latin America and the Caribbean and the top 100 global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80 years old).  The UWI is also featured among the leading universities on THE’s Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality and Climate Action. 

2023 marks The UWI’s 75th anniversary. The Diamond jubilee milestone themed “UWI at 75. Rooted. Ready. Rising.” features initiatives purposely designed and aligned to reflect on the past, confront the present, and articulate plans for the future of the regional University. 

Learn more at www.uwi.edu    

Contact