Conserving Biodiversity while Generating Sustainable Livelihoods through Sawyers Reforestation Project
Hyde Hall Forest Reserves is an important environmental area in Jamaica. The area is subject to various threats including: conversion to agriculture and yam stick cutting. Seven of Jamaica?s 28 endemic birds are found in the area along with various species of plants, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates. These include: wild pimento, Jamaican blackbird, Jamaican snoring frog, ring tailed pigeon, yellow billed Amazon, black and yellow billed parrot. (Source Cockpit Country Action Plan 2006) The project will seek to address these threats through public awareness activities and planning activities and to create long term diversification of livelihoods. The Sawyers (Hyde Hall) Forest Reserve encompasses some 662 hectares of forest lands. Source: Jamaica Gazetted Forest Reserves 2010.
Environmental risks of deforestation and accompanying problems (water shortage, land slippage, soil
erosion are quite prevalent in Sawyers The resistance to alternative methods stem from a lack of
community education and planning. (Source Cockpit Country Action Plan 2006) farmers need to have
more trees on their farms. To get more farmers use more sustainable land use practices will necessitate
a strong education and demonstration component as a culture change is required for adoption on a
scale that would be significant. If a proper plan of action is not in place then the Sawyers Forest
Reserves will be completely deforested including some of the endemic species and flora and fauna as
the habitats would be destroyed through loss of the forest ecosystems. Example tree species such as
beef wood, sweet wood, rod wood, wild coffee, wild guinep, wild grape, gutter wood, dogwood,
breadnut tree maiden plum and cinchona are cut down for use as yamsticks. Other key endangered
species in the forest reserves of Sawyers include: wild pimento, phyllanthusaxillaris, guettardalongi
flora (flora). the yellow snake, black and yellow billed parrots, Jamaican blackbird, ring tailed pigeon
and giant swallow tail butterflies are also in danger as a result of land clearing in the Forest Reserves
which can be contributed to a lack of planning and public awareness.(Cockpit Country Action Plan
2006)
The project seeks to mitigate the environmental risks of deforestation and accompanying problems such as: water shortage, land slippage, soil erosion through public awareness activities and planning activities and to create long term diversification of livelihoods.
Expected results/activities
? Increase in environmental awareness among students, community members and other stakeholders.
? Expansion of livelihood options in communities and development of a business plan for the LFMC.
? A completed planning policy document to re: community land/ forest usage and preservation
1. Conduct forestry and environmental meetings in at least 4 schools within and outside the community.
2. Facilitate community awareness program with at least 4 public meetings in the major communities.
3. Arrange 2 community livelihood workshops including bee training, agro processing, and institutional strengthening.
4. Compilation and submission of a planning policy document re: community land/ forest usage and preservation.
Environmental risks of deforestation and accompanying problems (water shortage, land slippage, soil
erosion are quite prevalent in Sawyers The resistance to alternative methods stem from a lack of
community education and planning. (Source Cockpit Country Action Plan 2006) farmers need to have
more trees on their farms. To get more farmers use more sustainable land use practices will necessitate
a strong education and demonstration component as a culture change is required for adoption on a
scale that would be significant. If a proper plan of action is not in place then the Sawyers Forest
Reserves will be completely deforested including some of the endemic species and flora and fauna as
the habitats would be destroyed through loss of the forest ecosystems. Example tree species such as
beef wood, sweet wood, rod wood, wild coffee, wild guinep, wild grape, gutter wood, dogwood,
breadnut tree maiden plum and cinchona are cut down for use as yamsticks. Other key endangered
species in the forest reserves of Sawyers include: wild pimento, phyllanthusaxillaris, guettardalongi
flora (flora). the yellow snake, black and yellow billed parrots, Jamaican blackbird, ring tailed pigeon
and giant swallow tail butterflies are also in danger as a result of land clearing in the Forest Reserves
which can be contributed to a lack of planning and public awareness.(Cockpit Country Action Plan
2006)
The project seeks to mitigate the environmental risks of deforestation and accompanying problems such as: water shortage, land slippage, soil erosion through public awareness activities and planning activities and to create long term diversification of livelihoods.
Expected results/activities
? Increase in environmental awareness among students, community members and other stakeholders.
? Expansion of livelihood options in communities and development of a business plan for the LFMC.
? A completed planning policy document to re: community land/ forest usage and preservation
1. Conduct forestry and environmental meetings in at least 4 schools within and outside the community.
2. Facilitate community awareness program with at least 4 public meetings in the major communities.
3. Arrange 2 community livelihood workshops including bee training, agro processing, and institutional strengthening.
4. Compilation and submission of a planning policy document re: community land/ forest usage and preservation.
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Project Snapshot
Grantee:
Sawyers Local Forest Management Committee
Country:
Jamaica
Area Of Work:
Biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity
Grant Amount:
US$ 5,000.00
Co-Financing Cash:
Co-Financing in-Kind:
US$ 9,486.67
Project Number:
JAM/SGP/OP5/2/CORE/BD/13/12
Status:
Satisfactorily Completed
Photo Gallery
Project Characteristics and Results
Notable Community Participation
Sharing new ideas and strategies is on-going among group members at monthly LFMC meetings. These meetings are open to the public and group members encourage other persons to join the group. As outlined in methodology, there will be presentations at schools and CBO?s, community meetings and on the established website. Close ties with SDC, RADA, the schools in the community, Forestry Dept. and other civic organizations is an asset to our organization and helps with our information sharing and membership drive. Information sharing will also come in the form of meeting reports, community plans, brochures, media interviews and press releases.
The group meets monthly; executive members meet bi-monthly or as need dictates (LFMC Executive); Sawyers LFMC will have responsibility for the project. The group has gained support from the Forestry Department in all their initiatives.
Gender Focus
The LFMC provides equal opportunities for women in its operations. 4 out of 9 of the executive for the group are females. Females within the group participate equally in all aspects including land clearing and public education. As posts/opportunities in the group are done based on capacity and consensus; not based on sex. The suggested project manager for the group is also a female.
SGP Country office contact
Ms Hyacinth Y Douglas
Phone:
(876) 978-2390-9 ext. 2030
Email:
Ms. Faradaine Forbes-Edwards
Email:
Address
1-3 Lady Musgrave Road
Kingston 5, LA and the Caribbean
Kingston 5, LA and the Caribbean
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