Earth Today | EFJ supports forest stewards

THE ENVIRONMENTAL Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) is working with Local Forest Management Committees (LFMCs) to build capacity and strengthen their role in safeguarding Jamaica’s vital forest ecosystems.

The initiative, which is being funded through the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), targets LFMCs operating within Jamaica’s Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs).

Jamaica’s forests play a critical role in protecting watersheds, conserving biodiversity, supporting livelihoods, and building resilience to climate change; and Local Forest Management Committees (LFMCs) are on the front lines of this protection.

As community-based stewards, LFMCs help monitor forest reserves, promote sustainable use, and foster local ownership of conservation efforts. However, many of these groups face persistent challenges, including limited technical expertise, governance gaps, and inadequate resources. This initiative seeks to address those constraints head-on by equipping LFMCs with the tools, skills, and institutional structures needed to strengthen their effectiveness and ensure the long-term sustainable management of Jamaica’s forests.

“This project goes to the heart of EFJ’s mandate to support locally driven environmental solutions that are grounded in strong governance and long-term sustainability,” said EFJ CEO, Nicole Adamson.

“By investing in developing the capacity of these LFMCs, we’re helping to ensure that Jamaica’s forests are protected not only for their ecological value, but for the communities whose lives and livelihoods are closely linked to them,” Adamson added.

A central feature of the project is to help to revive the national LFMC umbrella body. This entity will help to further strengthen coordination, collaboration, and shared learning among local committees across the island, enabling them to speak with a more unified voice on forest conservation issues while improving operational efficiency and accountability.

According to EFJ Programme Officer Charmaine Webber, community engagement is also a cornerstone of the intervention.

“Sustainable forest management cannot happen in isolation,” Webber explained.

“This project deepens the engagement with residents living near forest reserves by raising awareness, integrating forestry initiatives into community life, and fostering a sense of shared responsibility for protecting these critical ecosystems,” she noted.

Over the years, the EFJ has worked closely with the LFMCs to support projects that directly improve lives while protecting vital forest ecosystems. Through these partnerships, LFMCs have led reforestation and watershed protection initiatives, promoted sustainable livelihoods, such as eco-tourism, beekeeping and agroforestry, and strengthened community disaster resilience in forest-dependent areas.

“The LFMC and community members play a vital role in maintaining Jamaica’s forest reserves, work that, for many, is part of their daily lives. During a visit to the Linton Park Forest Reserve in the Northern Cockpit Country, I spoke with one member of the LFMC about how often she ventured into the forest,” Webber said.

“Her simple reply — “every day”— captured the magnitude of her commitment. For this community, the effort goes beyond protecting trees; it is about safeguarding the environment and preserving their very livelihood,” she added.

Currently, the capacity-building activities under the CEPF-funded project include the development of strategic plans and tailored communication strategies for select LFMCs, as well as for the national umbrella group. These tools will improve planning, resource mobilisation, stakeholder engagement, and public visibility, ensuring that committees are better positioned to carry out their mandates effectively.