The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Ramsar Caribbean Training Workshop, December 2000

As part of the Wetlands for the Future initiative, this past December 11th to the 15th the Ramsar Caribbean Training Workshop successfully took place at the Normandie Hotel in Trinidad. With an attendance of over 30 participants from 20 Caribbean nations and territories, the workshop served as an introduction to the Ramsar Convention in the region, a research mission on wetland-related needs in the Caribbean, and an opportunity for some training of local professionals on several wetland management issues. All the technical sessions and working groups were very well-chaired by representatives of Parties to the Convention in the Caribbean.

Margarita Astrálaga (Regional Coordinator for the Americas) and Marco A. Flores (Assistant for the Americas Region) represented the Ramsar Bureau at this event, co-organized with Dr. Herb Raffaele of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Sheriff Faizool and Nadra Nathai-Gyan, and her excellent support team, from the Trinidad Ministry of Agriculture, Land, and Marine Resources.

The workshop summary is presently in preparation and will be posted on this Web site.

Margarita Astrálaga (Regional Coordinator for the Americas) speaking to the assembly, the Ramsar Poster Exhibit prominently displayed in the background.

Reception on 12 December, courtesy of the Trinidad Ministry of Agriculture, Land, and Marine Resources

A field exercise group develops a biochemical monitoring system for Caroni Swamp, Trinidad

A field exercise group exploring ecotourism potential for the Caroni Swamp

An observation tower at Caroni Swamp.

Caroni Swamp from the observation tower.

Workshop participants preparing for another field exercise.

Mangroves in Caroni Swamp.

Camille Bodley (Jamaica) leading a discussion of the Scarlet Ibis.

Roundtable discussion of Ramsar issues.

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Bureau, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ). Posted 5 January 2001, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.