The Genesis
The University of Guyana Eco-Trust Society is an environmental club that has been a beacon of change and environmental stewardship since its inception in 1992. With a history marked by revival and relentless dedication, the club was reborn in 2005 by an executive body consisting of Michelle Chow (President), Joanne Ford (Vice President), George Watkins (Public Relations Officer), and Joel Chase (Secretary/Treasurer).
Growing into 2006, EcoTrust continued hosting a range of activities with a membership of approximately 67 active students, including the executive committee members adding more members through events like UG Career Day, held in March 2006, Eco-Trust Guyana presented a poster describing Eco-Trust Guyana and its objectives, roles and activities.
Since then, it has been involved in several activities (both as host and participant) and workshops over the past 32-plus years.
Growing into 2006, EcoTrust continued hosting a range of activities with a membership of approximately 67 active students, including the executive committee members adding more members through events like UG Career Day, held in March 2006, Eco-Trust Guyana presented a poster describing Eco-Trust Guyana and its objectives, roles and activities.
Since then, it has been involved in several activities (both as host and participant) and workshops over the past 32-plus years.
World Environment Day 2005The members of Eco-Trust Guyana participated in the Annual Green Walk hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency in observance of World Environment Day 2005 under the theme Green Cities: Plan for the Planet. They also participated in the tree-planting exercise at the Botanical Gardens.
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The Club promoted several activities to raise environmental consciousness, including:
- Beautifying the environs around the School of Earth & Environmental Sciences and the Faculty of Natural Sciences by planting several exotic tree species.
- Attended the World Environment Week Lunch-time Seminar Series hosted by the EPA on June 6 to 10, 2005.
- Two other members-Shawn-Ann Greene and George Watkins, were chosen to attend the 2nd National Capacity Building Workshop for Environmental Clubs held on the 5th - 7th July, 2005, coordinated by the EPA, UNICEF, PAHO\WHO and the UNDP.
- The Club (George Watkins and Joanne Ford) was involved in capacity-building exercises, including the IADB-CPDC Workshop in Techniques for Successful Proposal Writing and Resource Mobilisation, held in January in Guyana and April 2006 in Barbados.
- The vice president of Eco-Trust also represented Eco-Trust at the International Youth Conference for Self-Self Cooperation held in St Lucia in May, hosted by the Caribbean Youth Environmental Network (CYEN), the Caribbean Regional Environmental Programme (CREP), the United Nations International Student Movement (ISMUN) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
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The Renaissance
On September 23, 2014, the Eco Trust Society inaugurated its new board of executives in an exquisite, formal ceremony.
The Guest speaker, University of Guyana Student's Society (UGSS) President (ag.) Joshua Griffith swore in the new executives.
He encouraged the new executives, stating that:
"You have done a lot, but there is more to be done. The campus is waiting for you to make an impact. You owe it to yourself to leave your mark on this society right now. So I am charging you, Eco Trust, to do more, make a change, and be the change so that generations will remember this Eco Trust body."
The Guest speaker, University of Guyana Student's Society (UGSS) President (ag.) Joshua Griffith swore in the new executives.
He encouraged the new executives, stating that:
"You have done a lot, but there is more to be done. The campus is waiting for you to make an impact. You owe it to yourself to leave your mark on this society right now. So I am charging you, Eco Trust, to do more, make a change, and be the change so that generations will remember this Eco Trust body."
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The new president of the society, in his inauguration speech, remarked. "Friendly, we are a family in SEES, with a mutually supportive environment where we aim to create and promote social cohesiveness. Eco Trust society is the tree within SEES that connects and holds us together as a family. With buttressed bonds that will last and be cherished throughout our lives. " |
As a united front, Mr. Inniss contiuned; we will be researchers and advocates using our academic, professional and civil resources; we will defend the environment and ensure sustainable development. Our voices will be loud, and our pens louder! We cannot make a better past, but we can make a better future. As an Environmental Society, we need to be vigilant. We live in an era where environmental issues are prominent in society. From Guyana's Low Carbon Development Strategy to the 'Clean Up Guyana Campaign'. We have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world to be actively involved.
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The new executives include President Adrian Inniss, Vice President Crystal Blackmore, Secretary Mariea Harrinaraine, Assistant Secretary Lakeram Singh, Treasurer Nirmela Govinda and Public Relations Officer Alston Alleyne. Omali Dare, Public Relations, Assistant PRO Daniella Mohamad, Editor in Chief Saliqa Zaman, Assistant Editor in Chief Rhea Kanhai, Project Manager Alina Barnwell, Assistant Project Manager Savita Kum. Year Representatives: First year Bonita Davis, Second Year Damali Seepaul, Third Year Onyali Forbes and Fourth year Sarah Henry.
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With a rich legacy and ambitious goals to lead the environmental renaissance on campus and in Guyana, the society led and participated in numerous activities, including many outreach and national projects, Alston and Crystal Blackmore, who was also the vice president of the University of Guyana Students' Society (UGSS) led a collaboration with the UGSS provided benches on campus.
The Society and President Adrian Inniss were determined to plant the society into the digital age. With the social media accounts launch, they built and launched the Ecotrust Society website to buttress its position, nurturing its green position in this digital age.
Passionate about writing and the sharing of ideas, One of the most ambitious projects Adrian and the body endeavoured was the launch of the EcoAdvocate Magazine. This beautiful publication inspired bloggers and writers to continue writing articles and pieces.
The Society and President Adrian Inniss were determined to plant the society into the digital age. With the social media accounts launch, they built and launched the Ecotrust Society website to buttress its position, nurturing its green position in this digital age.
Passionate about writing and the sharing of ideas, One of the most ambitious projects Adrian and the body endeavoured was the launch of the EcoAdvocate Magazine. This beautiful publication inspired bloggers and writers to continue writing articles and pieces.
The club has since been a hive of activity, hosting and participating in events to foster environmental awareness and action. Even with the School of Earth & Environmental Sciences becoming a faculty, Each year, the society continues to proudly be a pillar and the best society in the University of Guyana.
As EcoTrust Guyana looks to the future, its legacy is a reminder of the impact a group of dedicated individuals can have on their community and the environment. Their journey from a small club to a cornerstone of environmental advocacy in Guyana is a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of collective action in the face of environmental challenges.
In the spirit of its motto, EcoTrust continues to be the change, ensuring that its mark on society is remembered by current generations and inspires future ones to carry the torch of environmental stewardship forward.
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