Upon realising that there was a discord in the way students were learning about science and their natural world, schoolteacher Fitz Ogle set about exposing Guyanese students to their natural environment through field trips rather than text books.
On September 8, 1997, Ogle and his class walked into the natural forests of Guyana to begin the Evergreen Nature Study Club, a club that has quickly grown into national and international recognition.
A trip to the Guyana School of Agriculture exposed students to the practical aspects of Agriculture Science on the farms
“It is a fact that natural science taught in tropical schools suffers through having been evolved from that of temperate countries; and this may be said not only of its content, but of the methods used in teaching it. The long ‘dead’ winter of the temperate zones, connected to a commonly urban environment, has encouraged an indoor approach to the subject, based on the study of dead specimens and of books which we who teach in the tropics have less need to impose on ourselves. We are fortunate to work where direct contact with plants and animals in their natural habitats is usually possible at all seasons of the year,” Ogle noted in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.
An agronomic engineer who studied in Brazil, Ogle teaches Agriculture Science at the North Georgetown Secondary School. His project, Evergreen Nature Study, has since been teaching Guyanese students from all regions about their country’s natural history and resources by following the club’s motto, ‘Ever Researching, Ever Serving’.
Learning about the country’s resources
The Evergreen Nature Study Club is a non-profit organization geared to educate and re-educate people on nature studies, environmental literacy and nature tours. Meetings are held monthly at their 217 Lamaha Street, main office, near west of Camp Street, while products of the club are exhibited at the Jenman Education Centre, Botanic Gardens.
The Evergreen Nature Study Club’s membership is open to almost anybody who is at least 14 years old, but the club is geared to attract youths. Many members of the Club study Agriculture Science at school.
Ogle believes that the development programmes are placing increasing emphasis on agriculture, particularly the need for its diversification, but it is obvious that in order to accomplish diversification of agriculture and improvement of our natural resources, we need to know, among other things, exactly what plants, animals and soil we have in Guyana, where they are and what are their characteristics.
“Guyana today, a developing country having come out of a period of colonialism, greatly needs to take careful and accurate stock of its resources. The development programmes are placing increasing emphasis on agriculture, particularly the need for its diversification, but it is obvious that in order to accomplish diversification of agriculture and improvement of our natural resources, we need to know, among other things, exactly what plants (edible and otherwise), animals and soils we have in Guyana, where they are and what are their characteristics. With such knowledge we can develop techniques for maximizing our gains from the soil, conducting research, promoting eco-tourism, creating employment and thus, go a long way towards real economic independence,” he said.
Ogle believes that there must be a change of attitude with regard to appreciation of our tropical environment/biodiversity and agriculture along with consumer tastes.
Recognition
The club also has an outreach programme that offers a one-year certificate course with emphasis on practical studies, including vacation camps in the rainforest. The National Agricultural Research Institute, (NARI), Iwokrama International Centre and UNESCO participate in the programme as signatories on certificates.
The club has made many field trips over the years, including trips to Omai Gold Mines Limited in 1998, Yarowkabra Nature Trail and the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary/Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) project site in 1999; Long Creek, where there is a study base; Capoey Village in Essequibo in 2000, Emerald Tower, 2001, Lethem in 2002, Annai, Moleson Creek and Anna Regina in 2003, Bartica in 2005, and many more places across Guyana several times a year. They have also visited the Iwokrama Filed Station.
Some projects the Club has embarked on are educational programmes at both primary and secondary schools; the main areas of study are plant science, soil science, geography, ecology, animal science, agri-business, food and nutrition (Dietetics) and art/aesthetics. There is also a gardening programme at the Guyana Palms; the production of nature study handbooks and audio and video CDs, provision of nature based goods and services and promotion of local eco-tourism amongst many others.
The Club’s activities aren’t just limited to these however, they have also ventured into research and experiments, and have produced and provided mosquito repellent, water filters, organic agro-insecticide, compost, hair growth gel, Evergreen club booklets, nature tours and much more.
The Club’s research capabilities have led Iwokrama to transfer general scientific data about plant life to the club, and provide collaborative support to its members in areas such as providing access to Iwokrama’s Information and Communication Centre.
According to reports, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Resident Representative, Richard B. Olver commended the Evergreen Nature Study Club for their interest and involvement in sustainable environmental practices in Guyana, and for its pioneering role.
Ogle pointed out that the difference between an environmental club and a nature study club is that nature study clubs like his do a lot of research on natural resources with the aim of discovering the important uses of it in our lives, while environmental clubs sensitise the public on environmental issues.
Speaking about funding, Ogle said that with the expanses in research, funds are important, which his Club lacks.
“The research we do can benefit the country immensely, but we need funds to carry out such; and so we are asking if corporate Guyana can help us in this regard. With more funds, we’ll be able to do much more research. Our Club offers a refreshing experience, so come along for the journey.”
Persons interested in making contributions to the Club can contact Ogle on 226-4634 or 664-5947. (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
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