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.  To exploit this asset, especially when introducing biology in the fourth year of secondary schools, would seem to hold considerable advantages. Then our students are most likely to come to appreciate the subject for what it is — a study of plants and animals by man — rather than as information to be accepted and memorised. A prior acquaintance with living plants and animals would provide the soundest possible background for the more systematic study of later years.
 
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 maximising our gains from the soil, conducting research, promoting eco-tourism, creating employment and thus, go a long way towards real economic independence.
 
It is our belief that there must be a change of attitude with regard to appreciation of our tropical environment/biodiversity and agriculture along with consumer tastes — what we eat. It is this whole idea of studying together for the natural good of ourselves, the human resource.
 
To date, there are Representatives of the Evergreen Nature Study Club in every Administrative Region of the country – the last being Region 8, Mahdia in 2003. In addition, information on the Club, including nature-based goods and services offered, could be viewed on our webpage:  www.evergreenstudy.org
 Congratulations to all our representatives and students in every Region of Guyana on the occasion of the Club’s sixteenth Anniversary!