Over two million trees planted under National Tree Planting Initiative
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Forestry Department is reporting that more than two million trees have, so far, been planted under the National Tree Planting Initiative, since its launch by Prime Minister, Andrew Holness in October 2019.
Three million trees were initially targeted for distribution and/or planting over the project’s three years, ending October 2022. However, the timeline was extended to March 2023 due to COVID-19.
Principal Director of Forest Operations at the Forestry Department, Jerome Smith, said while the pandemic has slowed the progress of this important initiative, the agency remains confident that the target will be achieved by the end of the 2022/23 fiscal year, on March 31, 2023.
He added that with more than two million trees already planted, coupled with the intense push by the Department, “and the continued support of our partners who have come on board through our various programmes, the goal is now well within reach”.
Smith disclosed that the initiative has been getting support from the My Tree Legacy Programme, under which past students are encouraged to return to their alma maters to engage in tree planting to create a legacy.
Along with this, is the recently launched ‘Grow with Me’ campaign, which provides free seedlings to parents and guardians to plant the umbilical cord of their newborns, a tradition that was once popular in Jamaica.
The Forestry Department is also engaging the island’s youths through the National School Tree Planting Competition, which commenced in September.
“Environmental degradation has and continues to have far-reaching impacts on our society and will require the participation of every Jamaican to help rebuild our defences,” Smith stated.
Approximately 200 private and public entities, along with thousands of individuals, have participated in the national initiative since its launch, which has seen 2,229,527 planted.
Groups or individuals interested in receiving and planting trees are invited to contact the Forestry Department at fdinfo@forestry.gov.jm or call 876-618-3205.
