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Community Outreach |
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fostering a sense of environmental stewardship. |
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| ITME
has a strong community outreach program. Despite its youth (in operation
since 2000), the institute has engaged in numerous activities to raise
public awareness of the marine habitats of Dominica. In addition to
introducing the youth and adults to life in the seas, the benefits
of healthy ecosystems are highlighted while the negative effects of
environmental degradation are explained. The ultimate goal is to foster
a "sense of stewardship" towards marine environments. Avenues
for this include but are not limited to, lectures and workshops (K,
1-12, College), media releases (print, radio, TV), consultancies for
the Government of Dominica, creating publicly accessible data bases
and permanent museum displays on marine environment. |
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| Community
Outreach Projects (a few examples) |
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The
Dominica Museum Project
(Sep
2003 - ongoing) The
faculty and students of ITME have compiled a permanent exhibit
on the reef corals of Dominica, and their ecological and socioeconomic
importance to the island. In addition, current research is
beeing posted on a regular basis. One of the main objectives
of the project is to give Dominica's youth easy access to
information on the local reef resources and benefits of conservation.
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Environmental
Education (Peer Teaching): (Mar
2001 - ongoing) Students
of the semester programs regularly visit schools and colleges
in Dominica to give lectures and workshops on marine issues.
The aim is to raise public awareness about the island's marine
resources and the threats currently
affecting coastal ecosystems.
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Collaborations
with the Government of Dominica: The main objective is
to provide the government with environmental data and technical
background on the status of marine environments around the
island. ITME has also been assisting the Government of Dominica
in its National Policy for the Adaptation to Climate Change,
as well as the Biodiversity Project.
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COMMONWEALTH
OF DOMINICA POLICY ON PLANNING FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
PREPARED UNDER COMPONENT 4 OF THE CARIBBEAN PLANNING FOR ADAPTATION
TO CLIMATE CHANGE PROJECT (CPACC)
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| Raising
Environmental Awareness Through Public Lectures & Media |
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ITME
Public Lecture Series: The students and faculty of ITME,
regularity present their research findings to a broad audience
ranging from government officials to entrepreneurs, fishermen,
students, and nature enthusiasts. Visiting researchers are
also encouraged to be part of this forum by providing the
Dominican public with an insight into their work while on
the island.
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ITME
Marine Habitats of Dominica (Website) In 2007 ITME launched
a new site to share its findings with anyone interested in
Dominica's marine environment. This provides direct access
to the current status of the field research carried out in
Dominica. The site was also created with the intent to allow
Dominica's teachers and youth to learn more about the marine
resources. Prior to this site, such information was not readily
available. http://www.itme.org/marinehabitats
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