| H.J. Robinson students led fight to save 2 salinas |
 |
 |
 |
| Thursday, 10 March 2011 12:21 | |||
 Thanks to a group of H.J. Robinson High School students, Town Pond Salina and Red Salina are now protected as the first two Areas of Historical Interest on the Grand Turk. Worried about the appearance and odors from some of the salinas on the capital island of the Turks and Caicos, the students decided in 2008 to find out if the salinas were being polluted, despite thriving populations of fish and other organisms. They analyzed the water quality of six salinas across the island and entered their findings in the Inter-High School Science Fair. They won first place and were invited to present their findings to the Ministry of Environment and District Administration. After two years and a detailed assessment of all seven salinas on Grand Turk, Town Pond Salina and Red Salina were selected to become part of the TCI Protected Areas System by the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources in collaboration with the Department of Planning, Survey and Mapping and Environmental Health. That designation approved by His Excellency the Gov. Gordon Wetherell gives the salinas, structures and every living thing within them protection from pollution and other damage with fines of up to $50,000 and a year in prison. The salinas, or salt pans, are of historical value for the old windmills and structures from the defunct salt industry. In the middle of Town Pond Salina is “The Island,” an old quarantine station dating back to the early 1800s with numerous graves. Salinas are also home to endemic, migratory and internationally important bird species, including the rare and endangered American flamingo and the brown pelican. The waters are a nursery and permanent refuge for recreational and consumptive fish species such as mullet, snook and bonefish. The banks are habitat for the endemic national flower, the Turks heather, especially on the east banks of Red Salina. Celebrating World Wetlands Day this year, DECR organized cleanups of both salinas, pulling out old stoves, toys, tires, light posts and zinc. Some items could not be removed because they could not be reached or had become lodged deep in the sediment of the ponds. DECR expressed its appreciation to the following H.J. Robinson High School students and their teacher Cordelia Creese for their hard work and research to save the salinas: Chibuchim Otunye (team captain), Christenne Lyons, Andrew Monize, Michael Adams, Khambreal Garland, Ruben Altidor, Rusheena Bryan, Keibren Robinson, Trenisha Smith and Kenlove Taus. DECR hopes that other salinas will be added to the Protected Area System.
|
Related Articles
Latest Local News
|
Tourist Board expands adding two new staff members The Turks and Caicos Tourist Board announced this week it welcomed two new staff members to further More... |
|
Cruise terminal to open April 8 Beginning Monday, April 8, thousands of cruise ship passengers will again begin to enjoy the More... |
|
2013 TCI Elecrotal List Available TCI 2013 Electors’ Register is Ready! Supervisor of Elections Mr. Dudley Lewis has announced More... |
|
Misick Declared By-Election Winner Supervisor of Elections Dudley Lewis has advised that the Progressive National Party's (PNP) Amanda More... |
|
New Board leads TCHTA On Wednesday, March 13, Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) bid farewell to its More... |