Asa Wright Nature Centre

🌿 Today is World Rainforest Day — June 22nd.

Established in 2017 by the Rainforest Partnership, this global movement was created to raise awareness about the critical importance of rainforests and inspire action at every level — individual, community, and government — to protect and preserve them for future generations.

Rainforests are the lifeblood of our planet — regulating climate, storing carbon, purifying water, harbouring over half of the world's biodiversity, and providing the foundations for food systems and medicines that sustain human life.

Yet every year, millions of hectares are lost to deforestation. The urgency to protect what remains has never been greater.

Here in Trinidad's Northern Range, the Asa Wright Nature Centre proudly stewards approximately 1,300 hectares of tropical rainforest in the Arima and Aripo Valleys. As a Land Trust, AWNC has committed to retaining its entire landholding under forest cover in perpetuity — a commitment that serves a several purposes:

🌊 Watershed & Ecosystem Protection — Permanent forest cover across AWNC's lands provides critical watershed services for downstream communities throughout the Arima Valley and Trinidad's East-West Corridor — among the most densely populated areas of the country. Healthy forests mean clean, reliable water for thousands of people.

🦜 Biodiversity Conservation — AWNC's forests represent irreplaceable tropical biodiversity habitat, sheltering hundreds of species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and plants — many endemic to Trinidad and Tobago — within a protected landscape that will endure for generations to come.

🔬 Research & Education — AWNC's lands serve as a living scientific laboratory, hosting researchers and citizen scientists from around the world who study the ecology, wildlife, and natural systems of Trinidad's Northern Range — generating knowledge that contributes to regional and global conservation science.

🌍 Ecotourism & Global Recognition — A world-renowned birdwatching destination, AWNC attracts nature enthusiasts and ornithologists from across the globe, drawn by the extraordinary diversity of avian life found within our forests. Our eco-lodge, now operated by HADCO EXPERIENCES, welcomes visitors into the heart of this living landscape — and their Green Key certification reflects their same commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable practice that lies at the core of AWNC's mission. Together, we demonstrate that conservation and world-class ecotourism can go hand in hand.

Together, these pillars reflect AWNC's enduring mission: to protect, celebrate, and share one of Trinidad and Tobago's most precious natural treasures — not just for today, but for every generation to come.

🌿 Learning never looked this good! 🌿

Over the past two weeks, Asa Wright Nature Centre has had the pleasure of welcoming three incredible schools to our lush rainforest grounds:
✅ Shiva Boys' Hindu College
✅ St. Mary's College
✅ Providence Girls' Catholic Secondary School.

From the treetops of the Northern Range to the forest floor, our young visitors got an up-close look at Trinidad & Tobago's incredible biodiversity — one of the richest in the entire Caribbean — and explored the vital role our rainforests and watersheds play in sustaining life as we know it. 🦜💧🌳

Students also delved into the rich history of the remarkable woman behind our name — Ms. Asa Wright — whose deep love for nature and vision for conservation led her to pioneer what we now recognise as ecotourism, long before the term ever existed. Her legacy is a living reminder that one person's passion can shape how the world connects with nature. 🌺

A special shoutout to the students, whose AWNC field trip doubled as a Geography SBA practicum — our team was proud to facilitate their river cross-section study right here on the grounds! 📐🏞️

Education + nature = a powerful combination, and we're honoured to be part of the learning journey for the next generation of environmental stewards.

Thanks to our tour guide Anandaa Maharaj and to HADCO EXPERIENCES for their continue support!
📚 Planning a school tour or field practicum for your institution? We'd love to host you!

👉 Book with us today — give us a call at 708-5407 or send us an email at [email protected] to get started.

🌿 Did you know? Meet Bois Flot (𝘖𝘤𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢 𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘭𝘦)! 🌱

On our trails, you might spot this fascinating tree—better known as balsa—and today our guide is showing off one of its pods! 👀
But why is Bois Flot so special?

🌟 Super lightweight wood – One of the lightest woods in the world! It’s used to make things like model airplanes, crafts, and even parts of boats.
🌟 Floatation & water use – Because it’s so light, it floats easily—perfect for rafts, buoys, and life-saving equipment.
🌟 Insulation – Its soft, airy structure helps trap heat and sound, making it useful for insulation.
🌟 Seed dispersal magic – When the pods open, they release fluffy fibres that help seeds travel by wind—nature’s own parachutes! 🍃

🌱 Bonus fact for curious minds:
While Bois Flot is best known for its wood, in some Caribbean traditions its leaves have also been used in simple remedies for swelling and minor illnesses—a great reminder that plants can have many roles in our lives!

🌳 Bois Flot is also a pioneer species, meaning it’s one of the first trees to grow back in disturbed areas, helping forests recover and thrive again.

Next time you’re on a walk, keep your eyes open—you might spot one of these incredible trees doing its job in the ecosystem!

Image: healthbenefitstimes.com/balsa-tree-or-corkwood/
Additional Information: https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Ochroma+pyramidale
🌿

Celebrating Leadership & Global Engagement 🌍

Professor Judith Gobin, Chair of the Asa Wright Nature Centre (AWNC), participated in the panel discussion “China–Caribbean Cooperation Amid a Changing World,” which was held on 19 May 2026, at the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business.

Professor Gobin brought a powerful and timely perspective to the discussion, emphasizing the critical role of biodiversity conservation, scientific research and education; from both- the AWNC’s core work in the terrestrial environment and on ocean governance (wearing her marine science hat!) in Trinidad and Tobago, regionally and globally.

Her contributions underscored the urgent need and possibilities for collaboration with AWNC in respect of a number of sustainable development activities and terrestrial projects including in biodiversity, climate change impacts and mitigation, agriculture and overall environmental education. At the same time she highlighted the need for greater exploration of our oceans, particularly the largely unknown deep-sea ecosystems that are vital for sustaining biodiversity and critical for informing and contributing to sustainable development and the blue economy. This includes the extraction of marine genetic resources which hold exciting potential for medical and health breakthroughs; ranging from new pharmaceuticals to biotechnology innovations.

As global conversations evolve, the AWNC remains committed to advancing knowledge, fostering partnerships and championing the protection of our natural heritage—on land and at sea.

👏We commend Professor Gobin for representing AWNC on this important international stage.

Inspiring the Next Generation at AWNC 🌿📚

We were delighted to host students from Vessigny Secondary School on a recent school tour at the Asa Wright Nature Centre!
From exploring our rich biodiversity to learning about conservation and ecology firsthand, these visits provide students with meaningful, outdoor learning experiences that connect them to nature in unforgettable ways.

📢 Book your school tour today!
💲 Cost: $45 per student
📞 708-5407
📧 [email protected]

Let’s continue nurturing curiosity, environmental awareness, and a love for our natural heritage 🌎💚