Forest Area Management Capacity Building in Jamaica

The Dolphin Head Forest Area is a key biodiversity area (KBA) in Jamaica which has regional and global significance with respect to species biodiversity. This forest area is recorded to have a higher density of local endemic plant species and rare or threatened flora per unit area than anywhere else in Jamaica. The protection, conservation and sustainable management of the forest resources are therefore critically important to local and international stakeholders.

The CARIBSAVE Partnership, with funding from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, has embarked on a project entitled "Strengthening Institutional Capacity of the Local Forest Management Committee - Management Plan Implementation in the Dolphin Head Key Biodiversity Area in Jamaica". In this project, CARIBSAVE is partnering with the Dolphin Head Local Forest Management Committee (LFMC). This volunteer organisation was recognised in the 2013 Dolphin Head Forest Management Plan (DHFMP), drafted by the Forestry Department, as championing forest stewardship amongst local community members.

In order to secure the sustainability of this organisation and support the objectives of the DHFMP, the goal of this project is to strengthen the Dolphin Head LFMC's capacity to deliver critical forest management functions to the KBA. The project activities include a capacity needs assessment, training sessions and the development of a medium-term action plan to evaluate and build institutional capacity. Using the conservation priorities identified in the action plan, additional projects will be developed to continue the institution’s essential stewardship role in the Dolphin Head Forest Area. The project will be executed over a one-year period until July 2015.

The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund is a joint initiative of l’Agence Française de Développement, Conservation International, the European Union, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, the MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank. A fundamental goal is to ensure civil society is engaged in biodiversity conservation. More information about the Fund and associated activities can be found online at www.cepf.net.

For further information this initiative, please contact Dr. Donovan Campbell at donovan.campbell@caribsave.org.

(Image: Yard Edge-www.yardedge.net)