MEDIA RELEASE EMA Launches National Poster and Art Competition to Highlight Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Species in Trinidad and Tobago July 3, 2014 The Environmental Management Authority is pleased to announce its National Poster and Art Competition titled ‘Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Species…through my eyes’, which is geared towards informing, educating and building awareness of each Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) and Environmentally Sensitive Species (ESS) in Trinidad and Tobago. Under the Environmentally Sensitive Species (ESS) Rules and Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) Rules, the EMA is mandated to designate and manage specially protected species and areas in Trinidad and Tobago. To date, three areas and 10 species have been designated. The ESAs that have been designated are the Matura National Park Environmentally Sensitive Area (MNPESA, 2004), the Aripo Savannas Environmentally Sensitive Area (ASESA, 2007) and the Nariva Swamp Environmentally Sensitive Area (NSESA, 2006). The ESS that have been designated are the Manatee (Trichechus Manatus Manatus), the Pawi (Pipile pipile) and the White-tailed Sabrewing Hummingbird (Campylopterus ensipennis) in 2005; and the Golden Tree Frog (Phyllodytes auratus) and the Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) in 2013. Five species of sea turtle were also designated as ESS in 2014. They are: the Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), Green (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and Loggerhead (Caretta caretta). According to the Managing Director, Ag., EMA, Ms. Gayatri Badri Maharaj, “A large portion of the population of Trinidad and Tobago remains unaware that these areas and species have been designated as environmentally sensitive, or what such a designation means for an area or species”. She continued saying, “this competition aims to provide a level of sensitization on our nation’s ESAs ad ESS to all ages, from primary school through to adults”. “Competitions involving the environment have long been regarded as effective means of sharing information with a wide range of people from different ages, backgrounds and cultures. The EMA will continue to focus on public education and awareness as one of our main drivers for stimulating behavioral change and a genuine appreciation for our unique environment of Trinidad and Tobago”, said Ms. Badri Maharaj. This poster and art competition is one of the EMA’s interactive tools being used to gauge people’s perception of biodiversity issues in Trinidad and Tobago. Other tools being used by the EMA to build awareness of our ESAs and ESS include: nature tours, photography competitions, lectures, mural competitions, exhibitions and other specially tailored interactive activities and projects. This competition runs for just over two months and is open to the following categories: 8-12 yrs (category 1), 13-17 yrs (category 2) and adults (category 3). The competition will culminate with a public Art Exhibition on October 1-5. The competition runs until September 12, 2014 for the Poster Competition, and the submission period for the Art competition is September 15-19, 2014. Registration forms outline all further competition and exhibition details and are located on the EMA’s website at www.ema.co.tt or contact [email protected] . The EMA encourages all to participate in this competition as over $20,000 in prizes could be won, in addition to public recognition of your work. All selected art and poster entries will be displayed at the Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago during the exhibition and entrants will be allowed to sell their pieces to interested members of the public and receive 100 per cent of the amount of the sale. END