New trustees for Guardian Life Wildlife Trust

In 1992, when the independent trust was established, former President of the Republic, Noor Hassanali and his wife, Zalayhar, were the first to contribute.

It followed that Mrs Hassanali would immediately accept the role as patron when approached by the trust.

Dr Carol James is the newly appointed chairman. She is a biologist and policy specialist with 25 years of experience in several Caribbean, African and Pacific countries and a former United Nations senior advisor on environment and development.

She takes over the reins from well-known biologist Professor Julien Kenny, who retired from the post in 2005.

The other members of the Guardian Life Wildlife Trust include: Janice Hernandez, co-founder and director of CRESTT (the Centre for Rescue of Endangered Species of Trinidad and Tobago), and author of children’s stories with environmental themes; documentary film-maker, Alex de Verteuil, whose themes primarily centre around wildlife, conservation and anthropological issues; Dr Howard Nelson, chief executive officer and conservation manager of the Asa Wright Nature Centre; Irwin Joseph, forestry advisor to the Minister of Public Utilities and the Environment; Richard Lawrence, marketing and corporate communications manager at Guardian General Limited; GHL’s Group vice president, corporate communications, Maria Rivas-Mc Millan and Gerard Pinard, GHL’s Group vice president, corporate resources.