Tag: UNESCO World Heritage Site

Blue Mountain Maroon community members graduate as tour guides for sustainable livelihoods in Jamaica

November 2, 2022

If you have not visited the Blue Mountains of Jamaica yet, you should know it’s a magical place in many ways. The mist floating across the broad green mountainsides; the tiny, bright gems of flowers and ferns by the roadside; the glowing sunsets over the foothills; fireflies blinking in the damp grass at night; the … More Blue Mountain Maroon community members graduate as tour guides for sustainable livelihoods in Jamaica

Open Letter and call for peace for Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Ahmed from a Diasporan African

December 6, 2021

“So much trouble in the world,” sang Bob Marley, back in 1979. Well, some forty years later, little has changed. The world seems to be tearing itself apart, and often, apparently, barely able to hold it together. These are desperate times for many. On the continent of Africa, so dear to Marley’s heart and soul, … More Open Letter and call for peace for Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Ahmed from a Diasporan African

The Blue Mountains of Jamaica, the history of Holywell and the story of the breadfruit

November 22, 2021

Sometimes things connect in the most fortuitous way. Yesterday, Holywell launched its new logo, up in the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park (which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site). I should have attended in person, but at least I did via their livestream on Instagram. The occasion was not only a logo … More The Blue Mountains of Jamaica, the history of Holywell and the story of the breadfruit

The Reimagining Nanny Project: An open call for artists to participate

November 7, 2021

Nanny is the only woman among Jamaica’s National Heroes, and in many ways the most mysterious. When I think of Nanny, Queen of the Maroons, I think of mountain mists and waterfalls and dark hiding places and ambushes in the rain. Now there is an open call for artists to “reimagine” and interpret her spirit, … More The Reimagining Nanny Project: An open call for artists to participate

“Keep fighting the good fight”: On World Ranger Day, a message from a Jamaican Blue Mountains National Park Ranger

July 31, 2021

You would not believe how much work goes on in the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These beautiful mountains encircle the (not so beautiful) capital city of Kingston, Jamaica – my home. Sometimes wrapped in shawls of cloud, sometimes blurry with rain, sometimes bright and clean … More “Keep fighting the good fight”: On World Ranger Day, a message from a Jamaican Blue Mountains National Park Ranger

Soon Come

March 3, 2021

Happy World Wildlife Day! You may be wondering why I have gone so quiet on this platform. No, I am not going through any personal crisis. Just plain busy! I will soon be back on track, with a lot to catch up on. I haven’t even had a chance to update readers on the COVID-19 … More Soon Come

JCDT Celebrates the Fifth Anniversary of the Blue and John Crow Mountains World Heritage Site

July 5, 2020

A small ceremony took place on Friday, July 3 at Holywell, in the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, to celebrate the fifth anniversary of its inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I am not sure how many people realize what an achievement it was to have the site recognized for both its … More JCDT Celebrates the Fifth Anniversary of the Blue and John Crow Mountains World Heritage Site

Happy Summer Solstice

June 21, 2020

Tonight is the Summer Solstice. It is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the time when the Earth is tilted most closely to the Sun (23.4 degrees, to be precise). At the same time, it is the Winter Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, where everything is the other way round. The … More Happy Summer Solstice

Minister Vaz’s Bid for Land in the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park: Can We Please Protect our Protected Areas?

June 18, 2020

Yesterday (June 16), a report by the excellent environmental reporter and Associate Editor of the Jamaica Observer Kimone Thompson appeared in the newspaper with the headline “Government wants to lease Holywell land.” The article did not mention the name of the government minister, who reportedly wished to lease a piece of land in the Blue and John … More Minister Vaz’s Bid for Land in the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park: Can We Please Protect our Protected Areas?

What Is It About Trees That Jamaicans Don’t Like?

October 5, 2019

Happy National Tree Planting Day! Many years ago, we moved into our house in what was then a relatively green, leafy area of uptown Kingston. Charles, who used to clean up our yard, insisted that we should cut down every single tree and bush. Otherwise, thieves and murderers would find places to hide behind them, … More What Is It About Trees That Jamaicans Don’t Like?