History
Forestry has been practiced in Trinidad and Tobago since the eighteen century when in 1765, the first reserve in the Western Hemisphere, the Main Ridge of Tobago, was created by the Young Commission through its setting aside of 2,475 hectares of land for “the protection of the rains” However, the Forestry Division of Trinidad and Tobago came into existence much later in 1901 with the formation of a one- man Branch of the then Crown Lands Department which is now called the Lands and Surveys Division. In 1919, it was upgraded to the Forestry Department and separated from the Crown Lands Department. In the early years, the emphasis was on the survey and demarcation of forest reserves. With the replacement of the Colonial administration by internal self-government, the Forestry Department became the Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agriculture in 1960. This Division now forms part of the Ministry of Housing and the Environment.

MISSION
The mission of the Forestry Division is to sustainably manage the Nation’s forests to ensure that they are abundant, ecologically healthy, biologically diverse and contributing to the wellbeing of all people and to the national economy for current and future generations.

VISION
We are a professional organization of men and women committed to national development and working together to sustainably conserve and enhance our forests which impact every facet of national life and are one of our most valuable resources.

PRINCIPLES AND VALUES
The forest ecosystem is by definition multi-sectoral and all human activities will impact the environment positively or negatively. The Forestry Division therefore enunciates principles and values that will embrace a wide cross section of human existence that would benefit our environment. These principles and values are:

• Respect and caring for the community of life
• An ecosystem approach to forest management
• Scientific research and evidence-based management
• Application of the precautionary principle
• Observation of the natural laws of sustainability and environmental carrying
• capacity
• Endorsement of empowerment, collaboration and participation
• Ensuring inter-generational equity

THE MAJOR GOALS OF THE FORESTRY DIVISION ARE:

• Manage the natural forests for production and conservation purposes
• Manage commercial timber plantations for the sawmilling industry
• Manage wildlife and their habitats on a sustainable basis
• Develop and maintain national parks and other protected areas
• Protect the forest estate from fires, pests and other threats.
• Facilitate private and community forestry

THE ROLE OF THE FORESTRY DIVISION:

• Timber Production
• Wildlife Conservation
• Recreation and Ecotourism
• Watershed Management
• Environmental Services
• Biodiversity Conservation
• Environmental Education
• Non-timber Forest Products
• Community Forestry
• Control of Climate Change
• Enhanced Food Production