Jamaica Embarks on RE-LEAF Initiative to Restore Forests

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, joined volunteers on Wednesday (March 25) in planting more than 1,000 seedlings as Jamaica officially launched the Reforestation, Ecological Enhancement and Landscape Framework (RE-LEAF) initiative.

This major national reforestation project seeks to restore forests damaged by Hurricane Melissa while strengthening the country’s environmental resilience.

Addressing the official launch at Lowe River Primary and Infant School in Trelawny, Dr. Holness noted that more than 2,000 volunteers have already signed up to support the effort, which will see 300,000 seedlings planted across forest reserves, mangroves, watersheds, private lands, and urban spaces between January and June.

“We’re not only going to be replanting vegetation, in terms of ornamental trees and flowers, but we are also going to be replanting fruit trees, or planting fruit trees where none were before,” he outlined.

“We’re also going to look to diversify the , because what the Forestry Department has discovered is that where there is a [monoculture], the damage seems to have been far worse than where there is a diversity of tree stock,” the Prime Minister added.

Dr. Holness called on stakeholders across all sectors and Jamaicans at large to get involved, emphasising that it will require a national effort.

Additionally, he urged all civic-minded individuals to volunteer by signing up through the Forestry Department’s website, stressing that “we have to see ourselves as stewards of the natural assets in our environment”.

“Aside from the economic value of our forests or natural assets in our forest, the environmental health is our mental health as well. It is also our physical health. How we treat our environment reflects on our personal health. So, I encourage all Jamaicans to plant trees all around. Let us help to restore our environment,” Dr. Holness explained.

For his part, Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, emphasised that RE-LEAF is far more than a tree-planting programme.

He described the initiative as a promise of renewal and resilience, noting that it links environmental recovery to critical areas such as food supply, public health, biodiversity, and disaster risk reduction.

Additionally, the Governor-General commended Forestry Department Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Conservator of Forests, Ainsley Henry, and his team for the vision and groundwork that made the initiative possible, while pledging his personal commitment to Jamaica’s green recovery.

“In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, we are reminded how vulnerable our natural environment can be. Yet, we were reminded of the strength and determination of our people. We don’t roll over and die easily. We also seek to rise again and pursue our goal… what we intend to achieve,” the Governor-General underscored.

“It is truly a holistic approach, and I want to commend the Government, the Minister [of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda] and all who are involved up front in these initiatives,” he added.

In his remarks, Mr. Samuda highlighted that Jamaica is on the front lines of the “triple planetary crisis”, encompassing biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change.

He noted that the RE-LEAF initiative is underpinned by technical expertise from the Forestry Department, including more than 300 on-the-ground assessments and the application of advanced tools such as REDD+ surveys and LIDAR mapping to accurately identify the location and scale of damage to forests and mangroves.

Thousands of trees have already been planted in communities and institutions under the initiative, with preparations under way for large-scale planting in the months ahead.

Restoration efforts will focus on areas such as the Lowe River Forest Reserve, as well as the Pike and Raven Forest Reserves, utilising a rich mix of native species.