Support For Restoration Work At Blue And John Crow Mountains World Heritage Site

A contract has been signed to provide emergency assistance to support the restoration work at the Blue and John Crow Mountains World Heritage Site and National Park, following damage caused by Hurricane Melissa last year October.

The contract was signed on Wednesday (September 30) during a ceremony at the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, in Kingston.

The agreement involves the Ministry, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust (JCDT).

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, said the support will facilitate the restoration of critical infrastructure, ecological assessments, rehabilitation of the plant nursery and reforestation at the site.

“It will also involve members of surrounding communities in restoration work, creating short-term livelihood opportunities, while deepening their role in caring for the property,” she said.

She noted that the Blue and John Crow Mountains are Jamaica’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and are recognised for both their natural and cultural significance.

The property covers approximately 26,000 hectares across St. Andrew, Portland, St. Thomas and St. Mary and includes the Blue Mountain Peak, the highest point in Jamaica.

“Hurricane Melissa came and significantly affected the property… affecting habitats, roads, trails and infrastructure. The resulting closure of recreational facilities also caused economic loss, impacting site managers, and the Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust’s capacity to carry out conservation and management activities,” the Minister said.

She noted that the Ministry provided an additional $2 million in support following the hurricane, beyond its annual contribution under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The Minister said the Government has also maintained its commitment to the cultural heritage programme through successive MOUs, adding that, “Under the first MOU covering the period 2020 to 2024, a total of $11.4 million was provided to support the programme. And building on this commitment, a second MOU was signed in September 2025 for the period 2025 to 2029, which will provide overall support of $17.5 million.”

In his remarks, Regional Director and Representative of the UNESCO Cluster Office of the Caribbean, Eric Falt, said the signing represents an important milestone in the recovery of the property and demonstrates what can be achieved through cooperation among government, national implementing partners, local communities and the international community.

He said the UNESCO World Heritage Fund is providing US$61,000 in targeted emergency assistance to support priority recovery measures.

The assistance will support limited repairs at key facilities, including Holywell and Portland Gap, interventions along affected trails, ecological assessments, restoration of nursery capacity and initial plant propagation, as well as community-based debris clearance.

Mr. Falt said the Blue and John Crow Mountains have exceptional biodiversity and ecological importance, while also being closely associated with the history, traditions and living heritage of Jamaica’s Maroon communities.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dean-Roy Bernard, said the agreement marks an important step towards the recovery of the property and strengthening the capacity of the JCDT to manage and safeguard the site.

He noted that the Ministry and the JCDT have maintained a close partnership over the years, with the Ministry providing subvention support to sustain the organisation’s work in maintaining and promoting the Blue and John Crow Mountains as a World Heritage Site.

“The [Ministry] responded to the urgent call and provided critical financial support to JCDT at a very vulnerable time,” he added.

“Hurricane Melissa caused extensive damage in October 2025, which significantly affected the site, including extensive land slippage, damaged light poles, and cabins at Holywell,” he said.

He said the Ministry was pleased to have played a role in the negotiations that led to the signing, adding that the agreement will provide resources to address damage to infrastructure and natural heritage.

He commended the JCDT for its continued efforts to preserve the site and said the Ministry looks forward to strengthening partnerships aimed at restoring damaged areas and protecting the property for future generations.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the JCDT, Abigail McIntosh, said Hurricane Melissa was one of the most challenging moments of her tenure, having caused significant damage across the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park and World Heritage Site.

She said the damage placed additional pressure on the organisation’s already limited resources, making the assistance from its partners particularly important.

“We are extremely grateful for the emergency assistance provided through the World Heritage Fund, as well as the hurricane relief support from the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport,” Ms. McIntosh said.

She noted that the support goes beyond its financial value, demonstrating a shared recognition of the importance of protecting Jamaica’s national heritage.

Ms. McIntosh thanked UNESCO, the World Heritage Fund and the Ministry for supporting the JCDT during the recovery period and for recognising the value of preserving the site for future generations.