Tag: Forestry Department

The Caribbean Tree Planting Project forges a spiritual connection with Jamaica’s diaspora

July 4, 2022

It was a hot, dry Saturday morning in Kingston, and the polished pews gleamed at the New Testament Church of God on Eastwood Park Road. There was an air of calm. The Saharan dust blurred the sky. The traffic hustled on outside, but it was quiet inside. The people quietly moving around the edges of … More The Caribbean Tree Planting Project forges a spiritual connection with Jamaica’s diaspora

Earth Day 2022 postscript: Two priorities for Jamaica and the Planet

May 2, 2022

Earth Day 2022 just slipped past me, while my back was turned – which is most unfortunate. However, I did contribute to a really nice pictorial article produced by Global Voices’ Caribbean team (headed by my ever-encouraging editor, Janine, in Trinidad). We shared our personal memories and thoughts reflected in the photographs we chose. You … More Earth Day 2022 postscript: Two priorities for Jamaica and the Planet

The environment AND climate change: shuffled out in the Jamaican Government’s “reshuffle”

January 17, 2022

Apart from the collective “meh” among most Jamaicans that greeted the Prime Minister’s “Cabinet reshuffle” announced a few days ago, one thing struck me immediately. Where has the Ministry of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change gone? It seemed to be settling down a little, under the leadership of Minister Pearnel Charles, Jr., who … More The environment AND climate change: shuffled out in the Jamaican Government’s “reshuffle”

Hillside destruction near Green Island, Hanover, Jamaica

November 15, 2021

The parish of Hanover is the smallest on the island, but has a distinct charm of its own. As the road winds along the coastline, there are lovely views of small coves, the calm waters fringed deeply with mangroves on one side. On the other side of the road are hilly pastures, some with Spanish … More Hillside destruction near Green Island, Hanover, Jamaica

International Rural Women’s Day in Cockpit Country (and beyond)

October 16, 2021

Happy International Rural Women’s Day! This year, the focus is on women farmers. Frequently lauded for their strength, hard work and resilience, they are a solid presence in rural Jamaica – over one third of rural women are farmers. Three years ago, I met a group of them at a Farmer’s School graduation ceremony, and … More International Rural Women’s Day in Cockpit Country (and beyond)

Jamaica’s last remaining mangrove forests: a cycle of destruction and replanting

September 5, 2021

You may have noticed from previous blog posts that I am a little obsessed with mangroves – and confused, perhaps, by the Jamaican Government’s attitude towards them. It seems to be a love/hate relationship. Most of the love seems to be professions of love rather than actual caring and concern. We celebrate World Wetlands Day … More Jamaica’s last remaining mangrove forests: a cycle of destruction and replanting

Jamaica’s Kids Climate Camp plants seeds of awareness

September 3, 2021

There is a perception that younger children cannot grasp climate change issues. It’s too complicated. So, at least in Jamaica, education on climate change only begins with high school students, who are studying science (and I am honestly not sure how much the topic is a part of the curriculum). All of this needs to … More Jamaica’s Kids Climate Camp plants seeds of awareness

Help BirdsCaribbean rescue the St. Vincent Parrot

April 16, 2021

It has all happened so quickly… Quite apart from the humanitarian considerations as the eruptions of La Soufrière, the volcano on the island of St. Vincent continue (approximately twenty per cent of the population has been displaced) – there is the devastating impact on the environment. As noted by Trinidadian journalist Wesley Gibbings in his … More Help BirdsCaribbean rescue the St. Vincent Parrot

Participants in Jamaica Environment Trust’s Schools’ Environment Programme show resilience, overcome challenges

April 11, 2021

It was my pleasure recently to be invited to join the panel of judges for two environmental competitions for young people. The first was for the Schools’ Environment Programme, which Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) has hosted for over twenty years now (since 1997). JET itself is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary this year. Congratulations to Lauren … More Participants in Jamaica Environment Trust’s Schools’ Environment Programme show resilience, overcome challenges

Two Young Caribbean Environmental Activists Win Regional Award

January 15, 2021

I seem to be regularly “bigging up” the region’s young environmental activists these days, and with good reason. Dozens of young Ambassadors were busy planting trees (many of them in “real time”) at the launch of the Caribbean Philanthropic Alliance’s Caribbean Tree Planting Project youth arm on Sunday. More to follow on this! I also … More Two Young Caribbean Environmental Activists Win Regional Award