Government Commits US$16 Million to Forest Conservation Fund

To ensure the protection of the country’s natural resources, the Government has committed to deposit US$16 million into the Forest Conservation Fund (FCF) over a 19-year period.

The payment arrangement is one of the conditions flowing from the successful merger of the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) and the Forest Conservation Fund (FCF).

Through the collaborative effort of the Government and the United States of America, the two entities have been consolidated into one, in an attempt to streamline the operations of the EFJ and maximize the use of resources in the execution of conservation activities.

The union was formalised on June 26, at a signing ceremony during the EFJ’s 21^st Annual General Meeting, held at the Eden Gardens Wellness Resort and Spa, in Kingston.

In his address, Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill expressed appreciation to the US Government and members of civil society for their continued support and partnership in the management of the country’s natural resources.

“Your continued commitment and service to the country through the EFJ and the FCF is recognized and should be commended,” he said.

Meanwhile, United States Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Luis Moreno, said that under the new arrangement, the conservation and management of the country’s natural resources and the environment of Jamaica will be the organization’s fundamental objective.

“These efforts will benefit not just the environment but all Jamaicans. Sound environmental stewardship bolsters the economy, improves security and provides a secure future for the coming generations,” he noted.

Since its inception in 1993, the EFJ has invested over US$42.5 million in over 1,000 environmental projects across the island.