Roughly hewn tables spread with locally grown, organic fare under a canopy of naseberry trees; home-made appetisers served in bamboo boats; and enviable views of both the mountains and the Caribbean Sea.

Such was the setting of Love Where you Live, the Jamaica Environment Trust’s (JET’s) 25th anniversary fund-raising lunch at Stush in the Bush on Sunday.

The 15-acre organic farm in Free Hill, St Ann is owned by Chris and Lisa Binns, whose appreciation for a minimalist, rustic lifestyle manifests in a open wooden house, composting, solar electricity, and rainwater harvesting. It has earned them JET’s award for sustainable agriculture, while their culinary skills have won them multiple Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards.

The homage to the natural environment aside, the highlight of Sunday afternoon were the tributes to JET’s CEO Diana McCaulay, who found the NGO back in 1991 to be “the voice of Jamaica’s natural resources” through education, advocacy, and conservation.

Past and present employees of the NGO and its board members toasted the woman they described as courageous, passionate, principled, uncompromising, terrifying.

“Diana is one of the strongest and bravest women I have ever known. She is also one of the smartest and brightest people I have ever known,” said Carlette Falloon, who served as programme director from 1996 to 2010.

In addition to the smarts, Conservation Director Llewelyn Meggs hailed McCaulay for being “kind, compassionate, and believe it or not, very motherly”.

Marine Project Coordinator Jaedon Lawe, whose relationship with JET started in the capacity of a volunteer in 2012, spoke to McCaulay’s passion for her work as an environmental activist.

“In my young career I’ve got courtside seats to see one of the most passionate people in Jamaica work. She is ruthless and uncompromising. She is someone who stands up and speaks for what is right, not some of the time, but all the time,” he said.

The word umcompromising surfaced again when Legal Officer Nastassia Robinson took the floor.

“Diana, your uncompromising ways have been the best thing to happen to me,” the young woman said.

The core JET team comprises young people who were mostly contracted fresh out of university. That, Administrator Nazli Williams, said is commendable.

“You have a faith in and respect for young people that you rarely see. You are a mentor, friend, colleague and teacher,” she said. “It is the best on-the-job training experience one can get.”

Deputy CEO Suzanne Stanley, who nearly brought her boss to tears in spite of prior instructions to the contrary, also high praises for McCaulay.

“You and JET have changed my life. You have taught me more than any university has,” said Stanley.

For its part, the JET board, through member Sharon Donaldson hailed the work done by McCaulay.

“On behalf of the board, we admire what you do. We are so proud of you and proud of JET and what you’ve achieved.

Donaldson, who previously worked with McCaulay in the insurance industry, also thanked her “for honing my corporate skills and for making me all that I am today”.

Also in tribute to McCaulay, a male board member hailed the JET CEO for having “more balls than most men I know, and more sense than many PhDs”.

In addition to being head honcho at JET, McCaulay is a novelist and short story writer with five published short stories. Sunday’s fund-raiser featured chef Conroy Arnold and live music by Wayne Armond.

— Kimone Thompson