UWI to Plant 2,300 Trees as Part of National Forestry Initiative
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona campus says it intends to plant 2, 300 trees as part of the National Tree Planting Initiative.
Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Dale Webber, Guild Representative Alwain Bisasor; and Conservator of Forests, Ainsley A Henry at the Tree Planting Ceremony (UWI Photo)Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The UWI Mona Campus, Professor Dale Webber that after Hurricane Gilbert in September 1988, the campus lost 40 per cent of its trees and they were never replaced. He believed that a campus that is 654 acres should definitely be planting more than 231 trees.
“The impact of what we are starting today will be great. For us, this exercise is important because the Mona Campus is built on environmental management, not just because I’m principal, but it has always been a part of our trademark.
“The UWI Mona did not need much encouragement to plant trees as we know the value. Further, the partnership aligns with The University of the West Indies’ global recognition for research and activism on climate change and climate resilience and its leadership of the Global University Consortium on the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Climate Action,” Webber added.
Spearheaded by the Forestry Department, the Initiative, which was announced in 2019, is aimed at planting three million timber and ornamental trees over three years across the island.
A UWI statement said that following extensive discussions and a series of site visits to the Mona Campus, the Forestry Department and Estate Management Department identified the 231 sites on the campus for trees to be planted and has since handed over the seedlings for planting.
“The idea is that we plant a tree for every Jamaican. The UWI Mona was one of the first entities I approached to partner with us and immediately Professor Webber, being chief executive officer and Conservator of Forests.
“My Forestry Department team in partnership with the University assessed potential sites, selected species and did all the necessary groundwork to make this tree planting successful.,” he said, noting that the tree planting at the UWI is taking place on the first anniversary of the launch of the My Tree Legacy promotion.
He said the promotion targets past students at every educational institution across Jamaica. It challenges them to get involved in planting trees. In so doing these students can give back to their schools while contributing to environmental conservation and of course push us ever closer to the goal of the National Tree Planting Initiative.
