Contributed by the CBD Secretariat

We are pleased to advise that applications for permission to undertake research on biological diversity in Barbados are to be sent to the Ministry of Environment and national Beautification, where they will be reviewed by the Working Group on Biodiversity.  

“Barbados hosts the largest nesting population of Critically Endangered hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) in the insular Caribbean (Beggs et al 2007). Most hawksbills nest along the west and south coasts of Barbados, with one major nesting beach (1.12km) on a reef-protected section of the east coast, at Bath. 

On November 10^th, 2020 it was announced that 32-year-old Barbadian Jamilla Sealy was appointed to the first-ever youth seat of the Global Water Partnership’s (GWP) Steering Committee. This permanent independent youth seat was recently created by GWP in an effort to create avenues for young people to have a role in water governance and management.

Definition of an Endemic Species:

Endemic species are plant and animal species that are found in a particular geographical region and nowhere else in the world. Some species are endemic to a continent while the others can be endemic to an island. In our case, did you know we have an Endemic species of Gecko scientifically called “Phyllodactylus Pulcher” or “The Barbados Leaf-Toed Gecko?  

Webinars on jobs

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in collaboration with Deutsche Welle is organizing a series of webinars designed to inspire people around the world to create youth-led jobs and entrepreneurship in the land sector. 

The 4-part series titled, Webinars on Land-based Jobs for the Youth will include 3 topical webinars organized in three regions Africa (November 2020), Latin America and Caribbean (February 2021), and Asia (April 2021). The concluding global webinar will be held on 12 August 2021 in celebration of International Youth Day. The purpose of the webinar series is to find and motivate young people to initiate and turn sound and durable land-use business ideas into profitable and sustainable enterprises. 

Contributed by the Convention on Biological Diversity

– UN ’s Global Biodiversity Outlook 5 report outlines eight major transitions needed to slow, then halt nature’s accelerating decline.

– Final report card on Aichi Biodiversity Targets, set in 2010: 6 of world’s 20 goals “partially achieved” by 2020 deadline.

– Towards a landmark new global post 2020 biodiversity framework: GBO 5 synthesizes scientific basis for urgent action.

– Bright spots include: extinctions prevented by conservation, more land and oceans protected, fish stocks bounce back in well managed fisheries.

Contributed by the National Ozone Unit.

The Frederick Smith Secondary School’s Environmental Club’s Coral Reef Diorama Project

The Biodiversity and Conservation and Management Section of the Ministry of Environment and National Beautification continues to support our community in environmental efforts and supported the Fredrick Smith Secondary School’s Environmental Club as they embarked on a project which focused on promoting recycling.

The Frederick Smith Secondary School (FSSS) Environmental Club has been in operation as an extra-curricular activity since 2008. Meetings are held every Tuesday with a current total membership of 31 student and two teachers. The Environmental Club is geared towards the promotion of environmental education and the protection of our natural environment in a more hands-on and fun-filled way.

The FSSS Environmental Club has embarked on several projects mainly focused on promoting the 3 R’s concept of waste management; reduce, re-use and recycle with an added thrust in the area of upcycling.

A Message from The Honourable Trevor A. Prescod, J.P., M.P.

Minister

Ministry of Environment and National Beautification

WORLD REFRIGERATION DAY

June 26, 2020