Comprising nearly 1,500 acres of mainly forested land in the Arima and Aripo Valleys of the Northern Range, the AWNC’s properties will be retained under forest cover in perpetuity, to protect the community watershed and provide important wildlife habitat.

The Centre’s main facilities are located on a former cocoa-coffee-citrus plantation, previously known as the Spring Hill Estate. This estate has now been partly reclaimed by secondary forest, surrounded by impressive rainforest, where some original climax forest on the steeper slopes have a canopy of 100-150 feet. The whole effect is one of being deep in tropical rainforest.

Many of Trinidads birds can be found within the lush grounds of the lodge including the spectacular Bearded Bellbird whose song rings out across the forest. Jacamars, toucans, woodcreepers and antbirds can all be found and the bizarre displays of Golden-headed and White-bearded Manakins in the grounds is a true delight.