“Two Thousand Three Hundred (2300), not 231”…these numbers represent the number of trees The UWI Mona Campus wants to plant as part of the National Tree Planting Initiative. Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The UWI Mona Campus, Professor Dale Webber made the announcement at a Handing-Over of Seedlings and Tree Planting Ceremony hosted on Thursday, February 24, 2022, on the Lawns of the Chapel on the Mona Campus.

Speaking at the Handing-Over Ceremony for the 231 seedlings/plantlets, Prof Webber informed that after hurricane Gilbert, the Campus lost 40% of its trees and they were never replaced. He believed that a Campus that is 654 acres should definitely be planting more than 231 trees.

Commenting on the effect of the tree planting initiative on the campus Prof Webbers said “…the impact of what we are starting today will be great. For us, this exercise is important because the Mona Campus is built on environmental management, not just because I’m Principal, but it has always been a part of our trademark. The UWI Mona did not need much encouragement to plant trees as we know the value. Further, the partnership aligns with The University of the West Indies’ global recognition for research and activism on climate change and climate resilience and its leadership of the Global University Consortium on the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Climate Action.”

Spearheaded by the Forestry Department, the Initiative, which was announced in 2019, is aimed at planting three million timber and ornamental trees over three years across the island.

Following extensive discussions and a series of site visits to the Mona Campus, the Forestry Department and Estate Management Department identified the 231 sites on the Mona Campus for trees to be planted and officially handed over the seedlings to the UWI Mona for planting.

Present to mark the important occasion was Mr Ainsley A Henry, CEO and Conservator of Forests who also planted a seedling.  Delivering his remarks at the tree planting ceremony, Mr Henry said: “The idea is that we plant a tree for every Jamaican. The UWI Mona was one of the first entities I approached to partner with us and immediately Prof Webber, being a longstanding friend of the environment, agreed and so the preparations began. My Forestry Department team in partnership with the University assessed potential sites, selected species and did all the necessary groundwork to make this tree planting successful.”

Mr Henry highlighted the fact that the tree planting at the UWI is taking place on the first anniversary of the launch of the My Tree Legacy promotion. The promotion, he explained, targets past students at every educational institution across Jamaica. It challenges them to get involved in planting trees. In so doing these students can give back to their schools while contributing to environmental conservation and of course push us ever closer to the goal of the National Tree Planting Initiative.

He added that the tree planting at UWI is particularly significant to him as it sees the fulfilment of his personal efforts to visit and plant a tree at all his alma maters: Ewarton Primary, St Jago High and now, here the Mona Campus…” 

While welcoming attendees to the ceremony, Director of the UWI Mona’s Estates Management Department, Dr Devon Smith commented that “This initiative is part of the campus’ plan to participate in the national policy on CO2 reduction. The Estate Management Department fully supports and will ensure that these seedlings move to growth and maturity so that the future will benefit.

“The team in the EMD is very excited about the execution of the project as we recognize the importance of the project given its alignment with the UWI’s leadership of the Global University Consortium on the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Climate Action”

The National Tree Planting Initiative experienced a major setback brought on by the global pandemic, however in October 2021, Pearnel Charles Jr, then minister of housing, urban renewal, environment and climate change indicated the Government’s commitment to moving ahead with the initiative, emphasizing the importance of the project to the provision of food, shelter and oxygen.