• Location: The center lies in the ecologically rich Arima Valley of the Northern Range on the island of Trinidad. Primary and secondary forests make up most of the land holding, which totals 1,500 acres. Trinidad’s varied habitats and its proximity to South America result in an extremely diverse biota.
• Association with the New York Zoological Society: A neighboring parcel of land was established as a tropical research station for the New York Zoological Society (now Wildlife Conservation Society). Many of the ornithologists and naturalists helped to set up a trust to create the original plantation and create the Asa Wright Nature Center.
• Natural assets: More than 400 species of birds have been recorded on the island, including the world’s most accessible colony of oilbirds (unusual fruit eating, night-flying birds. Several observers suggest that, to be successful, eco tourist sites must have species that are rare, easily seen, and a large diversity of plant and wildlife.

• Mandate and mission: A strong conservation ethic informed the establishment of the center. Over the years, authors of the UNDP study suggest, the center “evolved as a balancing act between conservation activities and fostering human development and economic sustainability.”
• Expanding to protect watersheds and wildlife: Key land acquisitions (the center now controls 1,500 acres) have slowed fragmentation of the natural landscape, due to increased housing and agriculture.
• Management and staff: All personnel are recruited from the local community, with the exception of the CEO, manager, and education officer. This creates and important link with the community.
• Environmental education: The education officer oversees education of employees; in a tour-guide program, he teaches ecology and species identification. The officer also lectures schools and communities of Arima and surrounding areas. Classes are frequently brought to the center, and scholarships are provided for interested students. Board members have helped develop teaching modules for schools. Nature guides and a newsletter are distributed to guests and prospective guests, as well as the local population.
• Respect of nature: Visitors are restricted to 10 percent of the original 193-acre estate; the rest of the property is “out-of-bounds” as a nature preserve. Signage reminds patrons of proper use of trails.
• Easy access to nature: Several miles of trails criss-cross the original plantation site, while not disturbing the primary rainforest. Dozens of bird species can be sited from the center’s verandah.
• Focus on wildlife: Conservation efforts have helped to increase the population of the rare oilbird (Steatornis caripensis) by six-fold. Regular patrols of the center’s land prevent poaching and squatting. The staff also carries on primary research projects, in cooperation with researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society and various universities.
• Enhancing local flora and fauna: The center is currently reintroducing the howler monkey and has already established an orchard sanctuary stocked with indigenous species collected from fallen trees. Beyond the center’s boundaries, AWNC is working with seaweed harvesters to sustainably manage its use.
• Local food and water: Most of the fruits and vegetables served at the center are grown on the property. Coffee is grown and roasted here, and jams and breads are made on site. This has brought culinary awards and increased food and beverage revenues. All biodegradable materials are composted. The rest, as possible, is bought from local farmers. The center has a water treatment facility to produce potable drinking water from streams on the property; grey-water is put to secondary use.