Located in the Cockpit Country, approximately 45km from the capital, Falmouth, the Sawyers community comprises two major districts, Sawyers Proper and Mahogany Hall. The community has an estimated population of nine hundred and sixty five (965) persons with 50.4% of the households headed by females. Farming is a major economic activity in the community, 77% of households are engaged in this practice. The data gathered revealed that 70% of the household heads were employed, while only 48.4% of the remaining workforce was employed. The survey also revealed that 48.1% of households only had one person employed. (SDC Sawyers Community Profile, 2010)

The community of Sawyers is in danger of losing most of its natural/vegetative cover and endemic species due to low levels of knowledge and capacity of some persons within and outside of the community. Some of the animal species present that are in danger include: wild pimento, Jamaican blackbird, Jamaican yellow billed Amazon, black and yellow billed parrot. (Source Cockpit Country Action Plan 2006). Plant species include: beef wood, sweet wood, rod wood, wild coffee, wild guinep, wild grape, gutter wood, dogwood, breadnut tree maiden plum and cinchona. 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).

Environmental risks of deforestation and accompanying problems (water shortage, land slippage, soil erosion are quite prevalent due to resistance to alternative methods stemming from a lack of community education and planning. (Source Cockpit Country Action Plan 2006) farmers need to have more trees on their farms and in their community. To get more farmers to support 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 mitigation actions are not taken then Sawyers Forest Reserves will be completely deforested including which will have severe impact on the habitats of these endemic species of flora and fauna that are dependent on the ecosystems for survival.

It is important that alternative livelihood projects be introduced as we have seen over the years where lands are being cleared and no replanting taking place. This project is intended to build greater awareness to the community of Sawyers and surrounding communities, on the effects of deforestation and climate change with the hope that it will reduce cases of flooding, landslides and by effect global warming. An estimated seven thousand (7000) persons will be impacted by this project.

School programme and public awareness initiatives will highlight the importance of forests, reforestation and tree planting. The project will seek feedback re: alternative livelihoods training and job creation, production; medicinal and roots plants. Educate and mobilize more members and communities to be innovative and independent by giving an alternative to the traditional yam cultivation. Both the forests and communities will benefit from sustainable timber resources and livelihoods in forthcoming decades.

The project will seek to address some threats through public awareness campaign and implementation of demonstrative activities while ensuring sustainable/alternative livelihoods. The Sawyers (Hyde Hall) Forest Reserve encompasses some 662 hectares of forest lands. Source: Jamaica Gazetted Forest Reserves 2010.