The Blue and John Crow Mountains in Jamaica are home to a unique ecosystem with broad leaved, high elevation tropical rain and cloud forests and a large number of endemic species - both in flora and fauna. This approximately 100,000 acre (48,000ha) national park and its’ surrounding communities are the focus area for the Caribbean Aqua-Terrestrial Solutions (CATS) Programme in Jamaica.
Activities focus on strengthening the management capacities for the management of the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park as an important institution for environmental education and economic development possibilities in this area. Additionally, the communities surrounding the national park are mainly farming communities and struggling with climate change effects. Therefore, Farmer-Field-Schools will be facilitated through the project in collaboration with the Rural Agricultural Research Agency (RADA) focusing on good land husbandry practices.
The CATS Programme is supported by the Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust (JCDT) for its activities in Jamaica. The JCDT is a non-government organisation that manages the national park on behalf of the responsible government agency. JCDT was involved in the establishment of the national park since 1990 and has significant experience working with local communities and other stakeholders to protect the resources and values of the Blue and John Crow Mountains.
National Implementation Unit: Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust (JCDT)