Government Ministers Visit UWI SODECO Mangrove Restoration Sites

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Peace, the Honourable Dr Horace Chang, and Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Matthew Samuda, recently visited UWI SODECO’s mangrove restoration sites in Southern Clarendon.

The visit allowed the Ministers to see first-hand the progress being made to restore and protect Jamaica’s coastal ecosystems, and to engage with the team leading the work.

Government Ministers and UWI SODECO representatives visit a mangrove restoration site in Southern Clarendon.

Restoring Hydrological Flow in Southern Clarendon

Project Lead Professor Terrence Forrester guided the delegation through the restoration sites, explaining the importance of restoring the natural hydrological flow that mangroves need to recover and flourish.

The restoration work focuses on improving the natural hydrological flow that mangroves need to recover and flourish.

Why Mangroves Matter for Jamaica’s Coastal Resilience

Mangroves help protect Jamaica’s coastline, support biodiversity, store carbon and strengthen the resilience of coastal communities facing the impacts of climate change.

Restored mangrove ecosystems help protect Jamaica’s coastline while supporting biodiversity and carbon storage.

UWI SODECO’s work in Southern Clarendon strengthens the climate resilience of coastal ecosystems and communities.

Government, Academia and Environmental Partners

The visit also underscored the value of collaboration among Government, academia and environmental partners in developing practical, science-based responses to Jamaica’s environmental challenges.

The site visit highlighted collaboration among Government, academia and environmental partners.

Through this work, UWI SODECO continues to advance the protection and restoration of Jamaica’s coastal ecosystems while supporting sustainable, climate-resilient solutions for communities and the wider country.

Ongoing mangrove restoration supports sustainable, climate-resilient solutions for Southern Clarendon and Jamaica.