Thread by @TTFNC

Happy 130th Birthday to us!

The TTFNC was founded on July 10th 1891 in order to: “...give pleasure to its members by observation of animal, insect and plant life in Trinidad”.

This thread will revisit some key milestones in our long history! 1/n #130yearsofTTFNC

In 1892, the first issue of our peer-reviewed journal was published as an outlet for our members to publish interesting and novel #NaturalHistory observations. It continues to this day as "Living World, the Journal of the TTFNC". ttfnc.org/livingworld/in… 2/n #130yearsofTTFNC

The first issue of our journal included J. E. Tanner's breakthrough discovery that #leafcutter #ants (locally known as #bachacs) cultivate fungus & feed it to their larvae, rather than eating the leaves directly as previously thought. 🐜🌿🍄3/n #130yearsofTTFNC

In 1911, former U.S. President, Theodore Roosevelt, visits #Trinidad & #Cumaca cave's #oilbirds, ably assisted by club members. Several are named in the magazine article describing his adventures in the bush, & club co-founder Urich's photos are used. 4/n #130yearsofTTFNC

When the National Museum of #TrinidadandTobago was destroyed by fire in 1920, #TTFNC members helped restore the #NaturalHistory and #Geology collections. A plaque in their honour is still visible near the entrance to the building. 5/n #130yearsofTTFNC

In 1947, St Mary’s College POS became the Club’s meeting place. We STILL meet here on the second Thursday of every month (pandemic-permitting) for a public lecture about nature and to discuss matters relevant to the club & the local environment. 6/n #Community #130yearsofTTFNC

During #Trinidad's 1954 #YellowFever outbreak, the #TTFNC successfully campaigned against the culling of red #HowlerMonkeys. A human vaccination programme was carried out instead. 7/n #130yearsofTTFNC

📸J. Wong Sang

In 1963, #TTFNC started investigating #turtle slaughter at #Matura, making patrols & compiling data. In 1970, our report was submitted to government, who adopted all of our recommendations, leading to increased protection for #TrinidadandTobago's #turtles. 8/n #130yearsofTTFNC

Like most #TTFNC members, Malcolm Barcant was not a professional scientist; he was an accountant & amateur #naturalist with a passion for #butterflies. In 1970 he published what is still the most complete guide to #TrinidadandTobago's 765+ species. 9/n #130yearsofTTFNC

Since 1974, Barcant's amazing collection has been displayed at @Angosturatt. In 2015, #TTFNC, Angostura Ltd, Asa Wright Nature Centre & @UWI_StAugustine 's Zoology Museum produced a handy laminated #butterfly guide to 100 of the most commonly seen species. 10/n #130yearsofTTFNC

In 1973, former #TTFNC President & #LivingWorld Journal editor Richard ffrench published his "Guide to the #Birds of #TrinidadandTobago". Now in its 3rd edition, it remains an essential volume for anyone interested in T&T's #birdlife. Do you own a copy? 11/n #130yearsofTTFNC

In 1973/4, the #TTFNC was part of a successful campaign to prevent destruction of mangroves & dredging in the #Caroni Swamp for the transportation of LPG. In 2005, the swamp was designated an internationally important #wetland under the #Ramsar Convention. 12/n #130yearsofTTFNC

In 1974, we *finally* incorporated "Tobago" into our name!

The #TTFNC continues to serve both islands to this day, but in the early 1990s, a group of our members formed @environ_tobago an NGO working towards the protection of #Tobago's natural resources.

13/n #130yearsofTTFNC

Who out there remembers the #Trinidad #Naturalist magazine?

This popular #nature magazine was founded in 1976 by #TTFNC member Stephen Mohammed, who edited it for many years, inspiring many citizens to learn more about local flora and fauna.

14/n #130yearsofTTFNC

During the 1970s our members conducted a series of expeditions to survey #biodiversity & produce maps of 2 of #Trinidad's most impressive #cave systems: #Cumaca and #Aripo. The project was completed in 1978 and findings published in the #LivingWorld Journal. 15/n #130yearsofTTFNC

Since 1982 we have been twinned with @OttawaFieldNat in Canada! We share a common mission to appreciate, study and conserve the natural world, and still exchange publications to this day. Founded in 1863, they are even older than we are! 16/n #130yearsofTTFNC

In 1985, our logo's #beetle was described as a new subspecies, #endemic to #Trinidad: Inca clathrata quesneli. It feeds on tree sap, & is named after Victor Quesnel, former club president, journal editor & #naturalist. 17/n📷@MarkFHulme #130yearsofTTFNC jstor.org/stable/4008449

In 1989 we helped found Council of Presidents of the Environment (COPE), an umbrella group uniting #TrinidadandTobago's environmental NGOs. Current members include @ERICTobagoWI, @environ_tobago, @CYEN_TT, @ffostt1, @FACRP, @SpeSeas + more! 18/n #strongertogether #130yearsofTTFNC

Yasmin Baksh-Comeau was our first female President in 1989. Dr Baksh-Comeau went on to become the Curator of the National #Herbarium of #TrinidadandTobago and remains an Associate Editor of our #LivingWorld Journal. 19/n #130yearsofTTFNC

In 1991 we celebrated our 100th anniversary with a special issue stamp, and by the club being incorporated into an Act of Parliament. It was also the year that a #Tobago branch of the club formed - later becoming @environ_tobago. 20/n #130yearsofTTFNC

In 1992, the 1st edition of our famous Trail Guide was published! It featured descriptions and maps of trails in #TrinidadandTobago of special #naturalhistory interest, tried and tested by our members - plus hiking advice. The 2nd edition is still on sale! 21/n #130yearsofTTFNC

Our illustrated guide to the Native #Trees of #TrinidadandTobago was first published in 2000. Written by Francis (Frankie) Farrell and Victor Quesnel, with photos by Paul Comeau. Plans for a new, expanded edition of this popular guide are underway.... 🌳 22/n #130yearsofTTFNC

In 2012, we joined forces with @UWI_StAugustine to host #TrinidadandTobago's first ever #Bioblitz in Tucker Valley, #Chaguaramas! Led by @Zoology_Museum, it was a huge success & we've had one in a different location every year since! 23/n #130yearsofTTFNC sta.uwi.edu/fst/lifescienc…

In 2013, we published the 1st of our popular #TrinidadandTobago laminated guides! Member Bonnie Tyler compiled photos of native #flowers to produce a #Wildflower Guide. Meanwhile, @Zoology_Museum led the creation of our best-selling #Wildlife Guide. 24/n #130yearsofTTFNC

@Zoology_Museum In 2016 we celebrated our 125th anniversary with a members lunch, an exhibition & launch party at the National Museum, and a hugely successful nationwide schools Art Competition. 25/n #130yearsofTTFNC

Our 'Birthday Month' is over! We hope you've enjoyed these selected highlights from our 130yrs. We will continue enjoying, studying & conserving the amazing #naturalhistory of #TrinidadandTobago for a long time to come. Join us! 🪲 ttfnc.org/about-the-club… 26/26 #130yearsofTTFNC

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