As part of a larger move to build resilience and improve the ecosystem, Prof Terrence the GCRF-OneHealth country lead for Jamaica is also involved in a landmark project for mangrove restoration. The ‘Blue Carbon Restoration in Southern Clarendon’ project is designed to restore more than 1,000 hectares of degraded mangrove forests and will be the largest mangrove restoration project undertaken in Jamaica. It is expected to be completed by 2026.
This comes out of recognition of the critical importance of mangrove forests in providing economic, ecological and social goods and services, including the provision of coastal protection, habitats for commercially important seafood, and the capture and storage of carbon dioxide.
The project has been enabled through a USD$2.45 million grant through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) ,to be implemented by University of the West Indies’ (UWI’s) Solutions for Developing Countries (SODECO) led by Professor Terrence Forrester, chief scientist. The fund is provided by the UK Blue Carbon Fund.
Solutions for Developing Countries (SODECO) is a research organisation established by The UWI, mandated to provide opportunities to improve human health, wealth and well-being in developing countries.
Sources:
- http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20200519/uk-pumps-360-million-restore-mangroves-jamaica
- http://amp.jamaicaobserver.com/news/millions-donated-to-save-clarendon-mangroves_194385?profile=1031
Photo: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20200519/uk-pumps-360-million-restore-mangroves-jamaica