Bio-diversity

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.

Jamaica