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The UWI team, led by Mr. Oswald Morgan, Superintendent of Works, Sanitation and Grounds at the Estate Management Department (EMD), worked with the Forestry Department to identify 231 sites on the Mona Campus for trees to be planted. The first tree was planted during a ceremony held at the Mona Campus on Thursday, February 24, 2022. The ceremony was attended by Professor Dale Webber, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal; Mr. Ainsley Henry, CEO and Conservator of the Forestry Department, and members of his team; Dr. Devon Smith, Estate Manager; members of the Guild of Students; and staff
members of EMD. The Principal during his address, welcomed the opportunity for the University to partner with the Forestry Department on this initiative to mitigate against the threat of climate change, and the impact on our environment. He further stated that with this partnership, The UWI Mona, aims to enhance and even replace the urban forestscape of the Campus. The UWI is particularly interested in two (2) main components – Tree Planting and Research. The areas to be planted include car parks, along walkways/ roadways, and borders (field). The particular trees of interest include those that attract wildlife, have stable root systems, and can tolerate wind.
Rebuilding Foundations that Promote Sustainable Development
T Our Strategic Agenda for the years spanning 2017-2022, cemented our intent as an institution to revitalise Caribbean Development by creating knowledge and innovation for positive and sustainable transformation, and to align our activities with the Sustainable Development Goals, Jamaica’s Vision 2030, and other development agendas across the regional and international landscape. The UWI continued to add to its efforts of becoming a Sustainable Campus by engaging in research and adopting green initiatives which promote care and environmental sustainability. Our focus has largely been on three main areas: the environment, social structures, and governance systems (ESG). The UWI also played a pivotal role in rebuilding foundations that promote the development and implementation of policies that impact social development. INTRODUCTION
he 2021-2022 academic year provided opportunities for The UWI to explore partnerships that advanced research on crime, climate change, energy management, education, and health and wellness.
5.1 CLIMATE CHANGE EMD - UWI Partners with Forestry Department for Three Million Trees Initiative In 2019, the Government of Jamaica launched the National Tree Planting Initiative aimed at planting three million timber and ornamental trees, over three years, across the island. The initiative is aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change. The University of the West Indies is globally recognised for its research and activism on climate change and climate resilience and currently leads the Global University Consortium on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Climate Action, and so, it was important for the University to join in this initiative.
The first tree was planted during a ceremony held at the Mona Campus on Thursday, February 24, 2022, attended by Professor Dale Webber, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal; Mr Ainsley Henry, CEO and Conservator of the Forestry Department and members of his team; Dr. Devon Smith, Estate Manager; members of the Guild of Students; and staff members of the EMD.
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