Forest Trek 2025 a hit

THE FORESRY Department continued its efforts to raise public awareness about the value of trees and forests in Jamaica, with the 16th staging of its annual Forest Trek last month.

This year’s event took the form of a cross-country hike through the Mount Felix Forest Estate in St Thomas and offered three hiking distances – 8km, 12km, and 16km – while providing the chance to experience the verdant forest and the nearby Plantain Garden River.

More than 600 hikers participated – a fact that is hugely satisfying to the Forestry Department.

“It was well supported,” said Francine Black, senior director of corporate communications and marketing at the Forestry Department.

“This trek was the first time we had a food court set up, which allowed the community to be more involved. The feedback we got is that it was a major success. It has revived and rejuvenated the area [Sunning Hill] and has definitely strengthened our relationship with the community. We look forward to doing more activities with them in the future,” she added.

“[The event] has helped to strengthen our thrust to do more community forestry and engagement,” Black said further.

In addition to their value to the natural ecosystem, trees also form an important part of global climate change response efforts, which have grown in significance given the scale of the climate problem.

Forests are home to an estimated 80 per cent of the world’s biodiversity and, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, “provide genetic material important for crop and livestock improvement and are home to many pollinator species”.

They also help to mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and storing carbon, which are otherwise fuel for the warming of the planet, which, in turn, triggers other climate risks and threats, such as extreme hurricane and drought events.

– pwr.gleaner@gmail.com