The Tourism Tree Planting Initiative, a collaborative effort between the Forestry Department of Jamaica and the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), officially kicked off with a pilot tree-planting exercise in Port Royal. 

This initiative, which began on March 18 in Hellshire saw enthusiastic community participation in planting over 200 trees along the coastlines.

The initiative is part of the broader Urban Planting Initiative under the Forestry Department’s “Call for Planting Programme,” which seeks to rehabilitate green spaces across Jamaica. This year’s campaign is a significant step in advancing Jamaica’s commitment to sustainability, directly linking tourism growth with environmental preservation.

Kerry-Ann Lowe Mullings, Acting Director of TPDCo’s Product Development and Community Tourism Department, shared the importance of this ongoing effort: “Since we started the Environmental Sustainability Initiative (ESI) in 2023, every year, we are always on the lookout for new opportunities to achieve this target. As an industry and, more specifically as policy leaders, we have a responsibility to protect and safeguard the environment, especially within the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (11) (13): Sustainable Cities and Communities; Climate Action.”

 “At TPDCo, we are very keen on enhancing the island one tree at a time. In the coming financial year, we will be focusing our efforts on urban and peri-urban communities within our destination areas in collaboration with the Forestry Department of Jamaica,” Lowe-Mullings added.

As a key partner in this initiative, the Forestry Department of Jamaica has been actively involved, providing expertise, seedlings, and technical guidance. Their role includes conducting site assessments and collaborating with TPDCo to identify the best planting locations.

“We are pleased to collaborate with TPDCo and the community of Port Royal in this important environmental effort,” Ainsley Henry, CEO of the Forestry Department of Jamaica affirmed. Henry underscored the significance of urban tree planting in the context of climate change and the ongoing efforts to rejuvenate Port Royal. He noted, “Port Royal is not new to us… we recognize that with the climate changing, there is an even greater need to plant trees within our urban spaces.” Henry emphasized the importance of addressing the ‘heat island effect’, a phenomenon where excessive concrete leads to higher temperatures in urban areas, and he stressed that tropical regions like Jamaica must combat this heat. “In a tropical space, heat is something that we always have to deal with. Port Royal is a part of our history, a part of our culture… it’s incumbent upon us to ensure that it is a viable, livable, and good space to be,” Henry remarked.

With the help of local stakeholders, including residents, schoolchildren, and church members, the initiative is creating a sense of ownership and pride in the restoration of their local environment.

The Tourism Tree Planting Initiative reflects TPDCo’s broader commitment to integrating sustainability into tourism development. The initiative not only promotes environmental conservation but also encourages the community’s active participation in the protection of their natural heritage, ensuring that tourism growth benefits both visitors and locals.

“This initiative solidifies that tourism and the environment go hand in hand,” Lowe Mullings explained. “By fostering sustainable practices within our tourism sector, we create a more resilient and promising future for Jamaica.”

As the initiative progresses, the Tourism Tree Planting Programme will extend to other communities in the island’s destination areas, further supporting the restoration of green spaces and enhancing the tourism experience. The Tourism Tree Planting Initiative is a tangible step towards a greener, more sustainable future for Jamaica, proving that when we work together, every small action can contribute to a larger, lasting impact.