New Clean Coasts Project Announced at JET Environmental Awards Ceremony

On Wednesday, June 25, 2014, The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) hosted the 5th annual Jamaica Environmental Action Awards (JEAAs) along with the Schools’ Environment Programme (SEP) Awards which rewarded over 20 schools, students, other groups and individuals who are doing great things for the environment. The awards ceremony, which was preceded by an exhibition of the work of the top performing SEP schools, took place at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston. Guest speaker at the ceremony was Dr. Hon. Wykeham McNeill, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, who announced a new JET environmental education initiative, The Clean Coasts Project, which will be funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF).

Diana McCaulay, CEO of Jamaica Environment Trust congratulates Tiana Dinham, student of Maryland All Age, Hanover after their win of the Champion SEP Junior School Award at the Schools’ Environment Programme and Jamaica Environmental Action Awards Ceremony, Wednesday, June 25th at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston. (Photo: JET)

Seven schools who were all outstanding performers in JET’s Schools’ Environment Programme this year greeted sponsors, JET members and other specially invited guests with a fantastic display of their creative environmental projects to kick off the event. Greetings were brought on behalf of the main funders of SEP, the Natural Resources Conservation Authority by Anthony McKenzie, Director Environment Management and Conservation Division of the National Environment and Planning Agency, who applauded the work being done by JET and the SEP schools.

Guest Speaker, Minister of Tourism and Entertainment and Member of Parliament Dr. Hon. Wykeham McNeill, who commended the work of the JEAA nominees and SEP schools present. Minister McNeill went on to announce a new partnership between the Tourism Ministry and the Jamaica Environment Trust – The Clean Coasts Project. The environmental education project will be launched in the new school year alongside JET”s other environmental education programmes in Jamaican schools and resort areas and will seek to improve solid waste management practices along Jamaica’s coastline. “TEF is the major funder of International Coastal Cleanup Day activities in Jamaica which happens in September every year but this is just a one day event which is limited in its scope,” said Minister McNeill. “This (Clean Coasts) project will be an extension of International Coastal Cleanup and will create synergies with JET’s Schools’ Environment Programme, the Ministry’s Tourism Action Clubs and will also have an adult education component.” 

Students from Pimento Hall International School, winners of the Champion SEP Junior School present to Minister of Tourism Dr. Hon. Wykeham McNeill (far right) and JET CEO Diana McCaulay (second from right) at the Schools’ Environment Programme and Jamaica Environmental Action Awards Ceremony on June 25th. (Photo: JET)

Awards for outstanding work in SEP for the 2013/14 were announced. Certificates of Merit and Sectional Awards for Excellence in specific SEP areas were awarded to eight schools. Pimento Hall International School from St Ann and Maryland All Age from Hanover tied for the Junior Champion SEP School Award, with Westwood High School from Trelawny being awarded in the senior category.

With significant support from corporate Jamaica, the Jamaica Environmental Action Awards followed, with ten awards being handed out for achievements in sustainable agriculture, environmental awareness in schools, youth environmental leadership, tree planting, among other environmentally themed categories.

Velmore Lawrence, CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank (far right), and Dionne Rose (centre), National Environment and Planning Agency, both sponsors of the Jamaica Environmental Action Awards and Schools’ Environment Programme Awards speak with Diana McCaulay, CEO of the Jamaica Environment Trust (left) at the awards ceremony, on June 25th. (Photo: JET)

The winners of Jamaica’s Environmental Action Awards for 2014 are:

· The Total Trees for the Future Award: Trees That Feed Foundation
· Energy Conservation (Sponsored By Jamaica Energy Partners): American International School of Kingston
· Water Conservation (Sponsored By Nestlé Jamaica): Aboukir Dynamic Youth Club
· Sustainable Agriculture (Sponsored By Jamaica Producers): Stush in the Bush
· Waste Management (Sponsored By Wisynco): Capoeira Alafia
· Youth Environmental Leadership (Under 16): Jeffery Edwards
· Youth Environmental Leadership (Under 25): Travis Martin
· The Natural Resources Conservation Authority Champion Environment Teacher: Devon Callam, Mannings School
· The First Caribbean Most Environmentally Aware School: Port Antonio High School; Mount St Joseph Preparatory School
· Special Mention: Jamaica Alternative Energy Expo (Energy), Garnet Purkiss (Waste Management and Sustainable Agriculture)

JET sincerely thanks all our environmental education sponsors, without whom this work would not be possible.

Lisa Simpson of Total Jamaica speaks with students of Westwood High winners of the Champion SEP Senior School Award at the Schools’ Environment Programme and Jamaica Environmental Action Awards Ceremony on June 25th. (Photo: JET)

Contact:Suzanne Stanley Jamaica Environment Trust 11 Waterloo Road, Kingston 10

Tel: (876) 960-3693/ 470-7580Fax: (876) 926-0212 E-mail: sstanley.jet@gmail.com Website: www.jamentrust.org