Sandals Foundation has been announced as the National Conservation Trust Fund of Jamaica’s (NCTFJ) Changemaker newest partner.

Sandals Foundation joins Changemaker as habitat heroes, contributing US $5000 to support ecological restoration and protection efforts and critical funding for Jamaica’s protected area management.

Danellia Aitcheson, Manager of NCTFJ, said she is elated to have the Sandals Foundation as a partner.

She adds that the “Sandal Foundation is an organisation of action. It does not say it is committed to environmental conservation, but actually funds and consistently does the work to protect Jamaica’s ecosystems. Their decision to join Changemaker as Habitat Heroes reflects their dedication to building a climate-resilient Jamaica and preserving our island home for our children and our children’s children. We also hope that other businesses and corporate Jamaica will be inspired by the Sandals Foundation to become changemakers. Together, we can create a coalition of businesses that work together to safeguard our country and positively impact lives and livelihoods.”

Changemaker, launched by the NCTFJ in June 2024, was borne out of the need to address the longstanding funding challenges facing protected areas as it relates to their management needs and establish a consistent source of financial support locally for conservation efforts.

Sandals Foundation has been a stalwart in environmental protection and sustainability, establishing and effectively managing two fish sanctuaries—Boscobel Fish Sanctuary in St. Mary and Whitehouse Marine Sanctuary in Westmoreland.

Habitat Heroes status will enable Sandals Foundation to contribute to the restoration and maintenance of habitats, such as mangroves and coral reefs. Monitoring efforts will also be amplified, and fishermen will be provided with eco-friendly equipment. All funding received by the Changemaker initiative will be channelled into protected areas to support management, research, and conservation activities.

Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of Sandals Foundation, expressed optimism in the initiative, noting, “I am
extremely encouraged by the Changemaker programme, providing new opportunities to strengthen the preservation of our island’s key eco-systems. Across the world, there is an urgent need to protect at least 30 per cent of nature by 2030 to mitigate the escalating crisis of biodiversity loss and climate change. Collaboration is essential to make this possible.”

Clarke encouraged other corporate entities to see how they too can become changemakers.

“This is our home, and as a Caribbean organisation connected to a Caribbean company, it is our duty to reinvest in and mobilise the power of our network to protect and conserve the natural resources on which we depend to survive. I encourage other corporate partners to see how they too can support this incredible initiative and make an even greater dent in bringing sustainable change.”

The NCTFJ’s Changemaker offers three levels of annual membership: Eco-Adventurers at USD 2500, Habitat Heroes at USD 5000, and Sustainability Trailblazers at USD 10,000.

These membership tiers provide businesses with an opportunity to signal their commitment to environmental sustainability and protection while helping to safeguard a future for Jamaica’s protected areas and the lives of all Jamaicans.