Representatives from Jamaica recently participated in a regional forum centered on ecosystem restoration, drawing insights on biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.
Held in Trinidad and Tobago from March 13 to 17, the seminar was organized by the United States Forest Service (USFS) under its Natural Infrastructure for Caribbean Resilience (NICaR) program.
Diverse Jamaican delegation joins exchange
The Jamaican delegation, comprising members from the Forestry Department alongside two NICaR grantee organizations—the Jamaica Conservation Development Trust (JCDT) and the Central Jamaica Social Development Initiative—actively engaged in the five-day session.
The primary aim was to showcase and exchange best practices and tangible solutions implemented by grantee organizations to bolster resilience against climate change impacts in the Caribbean.
Regional collaboration and knowledge sharing
Joined by representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, as well as partner institutions in the United States, the participants delved into discussions, shared insights, and explored innovative strategies to enhance upland forest restoration, conservation efforts, disaster risk reduction, and urban resilience.
Valuable transfer of technical expertise
In an interview with JIS News, Tamara Nicholson, Senior Director of Zonal Operations-Western at the Forestry Department, emphasized the significance of the technical knowledge transfer gained during the forum.
She highlighted the practical learning experiences, particularly in areas like fire management techniques, which are now poised to be incorporated at the community level, fostering a more inclusive approach to forest fire management.
Seminar recognized as instrumental
Executive Director of the JCDT, David Walters, echoed the sentiment of the seminar’s value, emphasizing its timeliness and utility.
Recognizing common challenges faced across the Caribbean, Walters emphasized the importance of solidarity and collaborative efforts among regional stakeholders to tackle shared issues effectively.
Local impact of NICaR support
Locally, NICaR’s support has notably impacted the efforts of JCDT in restoring degraded sections of the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park.
Through initiatives such as tree planting, maintenance of forested areas, fire prevention education, outreach, and resource provisions to local communities in park buffer zones, significant strides have been made toward ecosystem restoration and resilience building.
