ABOUT THE CLUB

OUR HISTORY

The Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists’ Club, a society for the study of Natural History, is one of the oldest clubs existing in Trinidad and Tobago, having being founded on 10th July 1891. The club lapsed into inactivity in 1907 but was reactivated in 1924 and, except for a short period of inactivity from 1948-1953, has remained active since then. The club operates under a constitution and set of rules and traditions. As part of the club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration, it was incorporated by an Act of Parliament (Act No. 17 of 1991).

The Club is a volunteer, non-profit organization. Its main objectives are to bring together persons interested in the study of natural history, the diffusion of knowledge thereof and the conservation of nature and natural resources.

Membership in the club is open to anyone who has an interest in nature and the natural environment. Approximately 250 members share interests in the natural environment such as birding, botany, photography, geology, research and scientific investigation, publication, conservation and environmental protection.

The TTFNC conducts an annual program of monthly meetings, lectures and field trips for the enjoyment and edification of its members.

The Club also publishes the following periodicals –

  • Living World, a journal of scientific research in all fields of natural history relevant to Trinidad and Tobago. The Journal is published annually.
  • Quarterly Bulletin, a quarterly newsletter for club members, containing articles on the natural history of Trinidad and Tobago and giving details of club activities.

In addition, the TTFNC sponsors a number of publications on the natural history and environment of the country. They may be obtained directly from the Club or from local bookstores.

OUR MISSION

To foster education and knowledge on natural history and to encourage and promote activities that would lead to the appreciation, preservation and conservation of our natural heritage.

OUR LOGO

The insect on our logo is the Inca beetle,  Inca clathrata. The subspecies found in Trinidad is Inca clathrata quesneli, named after Dr. Victor Quesnel, a former President of the Club and currently an Honorary Member.

The image of the Inca beetle, with  the words Natura maxime miranda in minimis, was  first published in the Journal of the Field Naturalists’ Club of 1892.

CLUB RULES

A copy of the Club’s Bye-Laws can be downloaded here

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The affairs of the Club are vested in and conducted by a Management Committee consisting of eight members elected at the Annual General Meeting held in January of each year. The committee consists of President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Secretary and three other members.

Members with specific skills also volunteer to lead the Special Interest Groups, or to form committees to focus on particular issues.

The 2024 Management Team comprises:

PresidentElizabeth Seebaran710-6978
Vice-PresidentLinton Arneaud743-5651
TreasurerSelwyn Gomes624-8017
SecretaryKris Sookdeo749-9638
Assistant SecretaryChrisalene Dedier368-0851
Committee MemberDan Jaggernauth
Committee MemberJalaludin Khan743-1604
Committee MemberLaura Baboolal663-4169
Committee MemberJeffrey Wong Sang231-9103

EDITORIAL COMMITTEES

Quarterly Bulletin:
Laura Baboolal, Sarah Evelyn, Rupert Mends
 
Living World:
Editors
Dr Amy E Deacon, Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Graham White, Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists’ Club, Trinidad and Tobago
Associate Editors
Dr Yasmin Baksh-Comeau, Former Curator of the National Herbarium of Trinidad and Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago
Dr Luke Rostant, Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
Mike G Rutherford, Former Curator of the University of the West Indies Zoology Museum, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
Assistant Editors
Dr. Jarome Ali, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.

Dr Michelle Cazabon-Mannette, Director, SpeSeas, Trinidad and Tobago
Dr La Daana Kanhai, Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
Production Editor

Kris Sookdeo, Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists’ Club, Trinidad and Tobago


AWARDS

The Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists’ Club was awarded a Medal of Merit (Gold) in recognition of Community Service in the field of Ecology (August 1980 Presidential Awards).

The Club also received an award in 1992 from the Caribbean Conservation Association for 100 years of Service in conservation of the environment.


CONTACT INFORMATION

For further information, please write to:

The Secretary,
Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists’ Club,
P.O. Box 642,
Port of Spain,
Trinidad and Tobago

Email: admin@ttfnc.org