Tobago

Speyside Eco-Marine Park Rangers (SEMPR)

Speyside Eco-Marine Park Rangers (SEMPR) is dedicated to the community co-management of our natural resources to support sustainable livelihoods for our community. Our vision is that of a world-class protected area of rainforest and coral reefs that is well managed by the community of Tobago. Towards this end, we undertake activities in advocacy, education, monitoring and co-management.

The Buccoo Reef Trust and the Speyside Eco Marine Park Rangers are committed to forming a Tobago based coalition and joining the regional initiative. This project comes at a key time in Tobago, as there are currently three important draft national policies addressing climate change, forests and protected areas in debate, and could later expand to include Trinidad. The results of the program including greater understanding of, and adaptation to, the threats and challenges posed by climate change, to ultimately impact individual and community behaviours that will preserve protected areas and endangered species and create sustainable livelihoods for local residents.

SEMPR members come from the small village of Speyside and neighbing villages in North-East Tobago. All of members are volunteers. Many of us depend on a healthy environment for livelihoods (eco-tism, fishing etc). We are certified in SCUBA diving, identification of marine life, and coral reef surveying. We share a common passion for a healthy future for reefs, forests and communities.

Sea Sun & Science is an Amazing Eco-Marine Vacation Experience for youths ages 14 and up. SSS2k11 was cohosted by SEMPR in collaboration with the Buccoo Reef Trust and THA.

Speyside Eco-Marine Park Rangers (SEMPR) Projects and Programs:

  1. Building Capacity
    • tour guids
    • scholarships
    • Reef & Forest Monitoring & Advocacy – monitoring reefs / marine health of reefs and forests, and to work with government departments, private businesses, other groups and communities for better management of threatened natural recess.
    • school programs
    • need equipment
  2. Beach Cleanups
    • perform
    • character / mascot
  3. Advocate for a Marine Park
  4. Awareness Week
  5. My Island, My Community – a UNDP GEF/SGP funded project that involves developing a radio news show and media awareness campaign which complement a Caribbean-wide radio soap-opera dealing with pressing social and environmental climate change issues.

My Island-My Community (MIMC) in Tobago - a regional project is managed by the Speyside Eco-Marine Park Rangers (SEMPR), a community-based organization (CBO) that operates in the north east village of Speyside, Tobago. SEMPR, along with the Buccoo Reef Trust, the Tobago House of Assembly, Environment TOBAGO, Save Our Seaturtles, Radio Tambrin, and the Belle Garden Wetland Association and the Caribbean Youth Environment Network and other key agencies and groups are engaged in a workshop to coordinate, finalise and formalize the Tobago My Community Campaign.

Address and Contact:
Speyside Eco-Marine Park Rangers (SEMPR)
Location: Speyside, Tobago, Caribbean
Tel: 1868-365-4557, 868.323.6109
Email: bar...@speysiderangers.org
Website: http://www.speysiderangers.org/

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