Sawyers is located in the Cockpit Country. The community comprises three major districts, Sawyers Proper, Blagrove Drive and Mahogany Hall these will be the targeted communities under this project. The community has an estimated population of nine hundred and fifty-eight (958) persons. 58.6%of the household are headed by females. Farming is the main source of income of the community, 82%of the household heads are engaged in this practice. Social Development Commission (SDC) community profile, 2015.

The community of Sawyers is in danger of losing most of its natural vegetative cover due to the lack of knowledge and capacity of some resident within and outside of the community. Environmental risks such as drought, bush fires, flooding resulting in soil erosion has over the years contributed to high level of deforestation. If these on-going problems are not addressed, then the Sawyers community, which is considered one of the biodiversity hotspots, will lose characteristics (biodiversity) including some of its endemic species of flora and fauna as the habitat would be destroyed through loss of the forest ecosystems - (source cockpit country action plan 2006). The removal of trees for yam sticks and no replanting has been a huge problem in Sawyers. It is important that initiatives focusing on sustainable/alternative livelihood continue to be a part of community development, to ensure effective management and use of our natural resources and ecosystems, where proper land use practices are adhered to.

The project will seek to enhance the universal push to mitigate the effects of climate change on the ecosystems and environment, in so doing the Sawyers (LFMCBS) is passionate in getting more farmers to support sustainable land use practices and alternative livelihoods. With this project the mitigating process will continue to decrease some of the threats and help to preserve biodiversity in Sawyers through, reforestation, public awareness and diversification of livelihoods. 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).

Having seen improved behavioural changes among some community members, it is more than ever for adaptation to be taken on with a sense of urgency and more so on a larger scale, the impact of which could be significant. This project seeks to build on previous interventions to ensure biodiversity preservation, preservation of our forest while ensuring the livelihoods of our residents are sufficient and sustainable. This group is committed to continue the drive to inform and educate our residents to be more aware of the negative effects of deforestation and the impacts of climate change on the environment we so much depend on. In doing this, we hope that it will bring about behavioural change which could resulted in the reduced flooding, soil erosion this creating an environment where residents do not have to worry about losing crops et al.

The primary objective of this project is to preserve biodiversity in the Cockpit County through reforestation efforts and ensuring alternate and sustainable livelihoods of our residents. Approximately 65 persons are expected to directly benefit from this project. Also, approximately 40 youths between the ages of 18-35years (24 females and -16 males) will be employed. Appropriate and adequate training will be in place for the elderly and persons living with disabilities to ensure their participation in project activities. Project activities will be done on privately owned farms (for reforestation) and Agro-forestry plots. The proposed activities, will expands on prior initiatives that will see more residents benefiting.

Expected Results
Improved agro-forestry programme that is applying sustainable land use practices (at least 35 farmers)
Hectares of land reforested within the Sawyers community and its environs (at least 2)
Expanded livelihoods at least 20 boxes of bee hives constructed craft making and entrepreneurial skills training
Increased Awareness on the importance of Biodiversity conservation and Climate Change impacts

Some Activities
Organise at least 9 livelihood workshops to include bee training, agro-processing and capacity strengthening of group members and community members.
Organise trainings with TPDCo in craft making and tour guiding to enhance livelihood opportunities and entrepreneurial skills
Organise at least 6 Environmental awareness public meetings in the major communities

The group will also be considering is to have in place a system for accurate weather data collection that could be used to inform policies, used by key stakeholders such as the Meteorological Office of Jamaica. This will be done with the installation of an automatic weather station where the group will be working closely with the Met Office team.