E eunit bulletin september to october 2010

1. DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY SEPT/OCT 2010
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION UNIT BULLETIN
What’s been going on ?
Phone: 468-5648/5
E-mail your suggestions/ ideas to:
eeunit@gmail.com
Done by: Nicole La Force
Most persons have a phobia of snakes and would avoid them at any cost. Sep-
tember past, an interesting thing happened which had most persons at the for-
estry Complex buzzing.
A boa (Boa constrictor) in a sack was delivered to Forestry for George to do
the usual; which is to let it loose on the Forestiere trail. Boas are harmless
right?! Well all I can advise is, never push your hand in a bag which may con-
tain a snake, harmless or not.
To Georgie’s surprise on throwing the snake out of the bag a big poisonous Fer de
Lance (Bothrops caribbaeus) fell out. In his own words “ Garçon I got cold. My body
changed and I grabbed the biggest piece of stick I could find and beat it on its head about
four times”. I could well imagine the goose bumps!
The snake was brought back to the Forestry Complex where staff converged to see this
6' 2" poisonous reptile. But how did this snake get there in the first place? Apparently a
Mon Repos resident found the snake near his home. After clowning around and showing
off his skills with the snake to his friends he bagged it and brought it to the chief forest
officer, who happens to be a resident of the area.
Someone could have gotten seriously hurt. We’re still not sure if the Mon Repos
resident recognized the snake to be poisonous. On contacting the chief forest officer he was instructed to kill the
snake if it’s a Fer de Lance and if it’s a Boa then bag it. He bagged it, so we’re
concluding that he didn’t know.
According to a survey done just last year on reptiles by Dr. Jenny Daltry, the
Fer de Lance is now classed as a vulnerable species which means it is threat-
ened with extinction. Too many have been killed for fear of being bitten.
There is now a need for sensitization and public awareness. Persons need to
know how to differentiate between the Boa and the Fer de Lance and also
know how to respond should they encounter a Fer de Lance or any snake for
that matter.
Though the snake is not often seen as desirous, we must remember that they are part of our biodiversity and they
too need protection from extinction. We have to find ways to co-exist with all God’s creatures. Right?!
Forestry staff looking on
Mon Repos man posing with snake
6 ft 2 inch / 1.82 m Fer de Lance
Surprise Snake!!

2. DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY SEPT/OCT 2010
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION UNIT BULLETIN
What’s been going on ?
Phone: 468-5648/5
E-mail your suggestions/ ideas to:
eeunit@gmail.com
Done by: Nicole La Force
The latanye palm (Coccothrinox barbadensis) used to make our local
broom , which not so long ago was under threat of extinction due to
over harvesting in the wild, seems to have received another major
blow.
The largest and most productive latanye plantation (2.5 acres) on
the island is suffering serious mortality. From what has been ob-
served about 40 to 50 per cent. That’s huge! The plantation is ap-
proximately 8 to 10 years and is owned by Kenrick Aurilien of Dennery .
Local plant pathologist have collected samples in the hope of identifying the cul-
prit which is destroying the palm. The symptoms thus far are yellowing of the
leaves (chlorosis) to cutting of the leaves, stunted growth and ultimately complete
leaf destruction. All that’s left is a leafless dying
stem.
From preliminary investigations an insect is sus-
pected which may be eating away at the growing
points (meristems) of the plant.
Trappings and collection of surrounding leaf litter is soon to be done to assist
in the identification of the pest.
An agricultural officer for the area commented that some coconut palms in the
area seem also to be affected. This is terrible news for the broom industry! At
this point we are hoping that this is a localized occurrence.
The use of a systemic insecticide (neem based) and proper cultural practices
to reduce the insect population is recommended at this time.
Forestry’s floral research staff collaborating with Ministry of Agriculture’s
research unit staff is working expediently in resolving this matter. It is hoped
that this will happen sooner and not later. Cliché I know but you get the
point. We are hoping for the best.
We need to fight to keep this budding industry alive and well,
helping secure the livelihood of our people.
Latanye palm being cut open
for further inspection
Chlorosis observed on latanye
leaves
Affected latanye palm
Local broom made
form latanye
Making of local broom
Latanye Palm under Threat!

3. DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY SEPT/OCT 2010
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION UNIT BULLETIN
What’s been going on ?
On 29th September, the Biodiversity Unit in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry & Fisheries held a Biodiver-
sity Expo in the William Peter Boulevard. This was a one-day activity with the aim of showing people the importance of
the country’s biodiversity. The themes in recognition of the year of biodiversity 2010 are “Biodiversity is life, Biodiversity
is our life” and “Biodiversity for Development and Poverty Alleviation”.
At this event, people were able to get information from each booth and from power point presentations from different de-
partments. In the Environmental Education Unit’s booth, there were three kinds of animals, (Agouti, Iyanola, Boa Con-
strictor) and plant, wood and seed samples. In addition, we had a small section for donations and the sale of popcorn to
raise money.
During this time, people were first very curious about the animals. Students were saying that the Agoutis are cute and an
elderly lady was scared of the Boa Constrictor. She said she could not even watch it by herself. People who have cameras
or cell phone cameras were taking pictures of the animals.
On the other side of the booth, some people were also interested in the plants. Staff members and volunteers were intro-
ducing those species to visitors. Sometimes visitors also gave some feedback as they also knew some of the species. Some
older persons were saying that they have seen those plants when they were little but now are rare.
Visitors were from everywhere, locals and foreigners. Some teachers brought their students to see and learn new things.
Parents with their children were seeing the animals. People enjoyed and yearned for more knowledge on biodiversity. For
them, Biodiversity Expo was not only educational but also a fun event.
Article and Photos By Te-Hsin Tsai (Grace)
Applause for the Biodiversity Expo 2010!!
Students enjoying the animal
introduction
Having fun with
Iyanola
Japanese and Taiwanese
volunteers selling popcorn

4. DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY SEPT/OCT 2010
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION UNIT BULLETIN
What’s been going on ?
Phone: 468-5648/5
E-mail your suggestions/ ideas to:
eeunit@gmail.com
Done by: Nicole La Force
The Forestry Department employs eight (8) tour guides who make visiting our trails more pleasurable. Impart-
ing knowledge, cracking a joke or two for a good laugh. We appreciate the job that they do and often times
they may be overlooked. At the request of one such tour guide (Marvin Edwards) a visit to “Skyrides” was or-
ganized.
This presented and opportunity for the tour guides to enjoy themselves in a different setting and also to ob-
serve and learn from their counter parts.
It was quite fun if I say so myself. It was the first time that many of us rode the trams over 130 ft from the
ground, over the forest canopy. It was simply amazing. The views were stunning, the bird song much appreci-
ated and the knowledge of the guides quite rich.
There was friendly banter and a great interchange of knowledge between Forestry’s tour guides and those of
the “Skyrides” establishment. The area is beautiful and boast not only great natural scenery but up to date
well maintained amenities.
There was even steel pan music to enliven the atmosphere and of course a souvenir shop, drinks and food
area etc. I can see why they are such steep competition. Even the warning signs along the trail seemed cute to
me; something we can implement on our trails.
It is our hope that an activity can be organized quarterly to boost the morale of our tour guides as well as pro-
viding an opportunity to show them our appreciation. If you have any ideas, don’t be shy in sharing.
Thank you our Forestry Tour Guides!!Thank you our Forestry Tour Guides!!Thank you our Forestry Tour Guides!!Thank you our Forestry Tour Guides!!
Learning and Fun for Forestry Tour Guides !
Stunning Views
Forestry Guides
&
friends
Soothing steel pan