Asa Wright Nature Centre

08/06/2026

🌿 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
🌿

21/05/2026

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.

20/05/2026

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 🌎💚

29/04/2026

22/04/2026

💧🪶 A rare and refreshing moment in the forest.

This Brown Violetear was spotted bathing in a small waterfall—an uncommon but fascinating behaviour. While hummingbirds are best known for their speed and precision in flight, moments like these reveal a quieter side: maintenance, cooling, and feather care.

🌿 Access to clean, flowing water is essential for wildlife, even for species we typically associate only with flowers and nectar.

At AWNC and HADCO EXPERIENCES at Asa Wright Nature Centre, these everyday natural interactions are constant reminders of how intact ecosystems support even the smallest behaviours that species depend on.

HADCO EXPERIENCES

22/04/2026

🌿 AWNC was pleased to participate in Presentation College’s Environmental Club Green Economy & Environmental Sustainability Expo 2026.

🦴🐾 Our team engaged students through a hands-on display of wildlife specimens, skulls, and preserved samples—creating a practical space to explore biodiversity, adaptation, and conservation in Trinidad and Tobago.

💬 Strong interest, thoughtful questions, and active participation from students made this a worthwhile exchange. These interactions matter—they build awareness, curiosity, and a more grounded understanding of environmental stewardship.

🤝 Thank you to the Environmental Club and organizers for the invitation and a well-executed event.

15/04/2026

Big news! 📣 Our very own Board Chairman, Professor Judith Gobin, has been selected by the UN Secretary-General as one of only 15 scientists globally to draft the 2027 Global Sustainable Development Report. 🌍✨

​This report is a roadmap for the world’s Sustainable Development Goals, and we couldn't be more proud to have her expertise leading the way—both for our planet and for the Asa Wright Nature Centre.

​Drop a "Clap" emoji in the comments to celebrate this amazing milestone for Professor Gobin and T&T! 🇹🇹👏
​

Professor Judith Gobin has been appointed to a group of 15 scientists to prepare the Global Sustainable Development Report for 2027.

For more: https://www.cnc3.co.tt/gobin-appointed-to-un-science-group-for-2027-sdg-report/

08/04/2026

📷🐦Over the Easter weekend, we were delighted to welcome a young photographer from Hillview College to the William Beebe Tropical Research Station (SIMLA). During his visit, he captured beautiful images of the station’s birdlife and natural surroundings—showcasing SIMLA through a fresh and thoughtful lens.

One of our goals at SIMLA is to encourage young people to continue using this historic research station as a place to nourish their minds and explore their creativity—across science, art, history, and culture. SIMLA remains an important refuge where significant flora and fauna species can still be found, studied, and appreciated.

We are inspired by the curiosity and creativity of young visitors and look forward to welcoming many more students in the future.

📷 Photo credit: Adam Ali, Hillview College
📍 William Beebe Tropical Research Station, Simla

03/04/2026