What is Land Declaration?

The Forest Act of 1996 allows private landowners to apply for their forested lands to be declared as either a forest reserve or a forest management area.

Benefits of the Programme

• Your property will contribute to the preservation of Jamaica's environment
• Remission of your property taxes
• Prosecution of offenders under the Forest Act

Steps to Take

Make a written application to the CEO and Conservator of Forests stating your interest in declaring your area under the Forest Act. Be sure to provide us with:

• The exact location of your land (parish, district, volume and folio number of the title etc.
• The size of land proposed for declaration, and the percentage of the property this represents, e.g. 50%
• The time period over which the declaration status would apply, e.g. 10 years, 20 years, forever
• Proof of ownership of the land, e.g. the title a recent survey of the land (not more than 7 years old)

What Happens Next

• The Forestry Department schedules a site visit and based on this visit prepares a technical report for the CEO & Conservator.
• The application for the declaration order is submitted and the CEO & Conservator makes a recommendation to the Minister who decides to accept or reject the application.
• If accepted, the Minister will do either of the following:
• Declare the land a Forest Management Area. Once the order has been signed and
• The legal obligations fulfilled, the information will be published in the Gazette.

OR

Subject to affirmative resolution, declare the private land a Forest Reserve after:

• A notice of the intent to declare the land is published in the Gazette or such other medium as the Minister sees fit at least 90 days before making the order.
• At least 90 days notice of the proposed declaration given by the Minister, e.g. by Gazette or newspaper.

What is a Local Forest Management Committee

The Local Forest Management Committee (LFMC) is the institutional body created in watersheds management units to enable the participation of the communities in the co-management of forested areas (specifically those managed by the Forestry Department.

The formation of Local Forest Management Committees (LFMCs) is provided for by the Forest Act, 1996 and is an integral component of the "Community Participation" strategy of the Agency.

The Forestry Department hosting a community meeting in a forest-depepndent community in order to raise awareness

 Participation in LFMCs

Membership on the LFMCs is open to all community groups, organisations, NGOs, private sector entities and Government agencies present in the particular forest area and whose members are willing to participate. Each stakeholder entity will be asked to select a representative and an alternate to serve on the Committee. Membership in the LFMC will be ratified by the Minister with responsibility for Environment on the recommendation of the Conservator of Forests. There is no limit to the number of entities that can be represented on the Committee.

 Functions of LFMCs

The purpose of LFMCs is to: 

• Monitor the condition of natural resources in the Committee's area;

• Hold discussions, public meetings and the like about the state of the natural resources;
• Advise the Conservator on matters relating to the development of the Forest Management Plan (FMP) and the making of regulations;
• Propose incentives for conservation practices in the Committee's area;
• Assist in the design and execution of conservation projects in the area; and
• Any other functions as may be provided for by or under the Forest Act.

The Committee itself may identify functions which they need to undertake.

The operations of the LFMC will benefit overall watershed protection and management. The role of the Committee may be expanded in the future to take in watershed responsibility as a result of changes in the structure of national watershed administration and management.

Sustainable Alternative Livelihoods

To make local forest management more attractive to communities, the strategy has been to develop new initiatives and technical approaches of both the Forestry Department and NGOs which provides income earning opportunities for local communities. Some of the activities falling within this category are:

• Ecotourism and nature tourism;
• Recreational park conservation;
• Agroforestry;
• Craft production;
• Furniture production;
• Plant nurseries, including exotic species;
• Medicinal plant production;
• Bamboo for low-cost housing and crafts;
• Bee-keeping;
• Portable sawmilling operations;
• Fuelwood and charcoal production; and
• Yam stick production.

Where suitable sites on forest reserve lands have been identified in Local Forest Management Plans, individuals and groups will be approached to lease parcels for use in accordance with the conditions prescribed in the Forest Act and in any subsequent Forest Regulations. In certain situations, and where feasible, co-management arrangements or memoranda of understanding will replace standard lease agreements.

 How to establish an LFMC

Any community interested in forming an LFMC needs to write to CEO& Conservator of Forests indicating your interests. From there the Agency will contact you and begin the process.

To date, 18 LFMCs have been established across the island. They are:

1. Buff Bay/ Pencar LFMC
2. Spring Bank LFMC
3. Northern Rio Minho LFMC
4. Cockpit Country (3 LFMCs):
   1. North Cockpit Country 
   2. South Cockpit Country
   3. South East Cockpit Country
5. Dolphin Head LFMC
6. Constitution Hill LFMC
7. Dallas Castle LFMC
8. Smithfield LFMC
9. Westphalia LFMC
10. Sawyer LFMC 
11. Spring Dunrobin LFMC
12. Hillside LFMC
13. Hessen Castle LFMC
14. Stephney LFMC
15. Grants Mountain LFMC 

Support the Adopt-a-Trail Programme

“Become a Friend of the Bogue 2 Forest Reserve: Enhance, Preserve, and Build for Future Generations”

This initiative seeks to facilitate greater access to hiking, cycling, walking and nature relaxation for Jamaicans and visitors alike.

At a national level, the Adopt-A-Trail Programme supports Jamaica’s Vision 2030 Goal 4: ‘Jamaica has a healthy natural environment’. Internationally, the programme supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) commitments to promote health and well-being and the sustainable management and use of forests. It will also support Jamaica’s Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development, which promotes environmental sustainability and the growth of adventure, health, heritage, and nature and eco-tourism-based products.

The programme will facilitate the establishment of a Forest Trail Network/ System. Trails will be developed using appropriate design and development standards based on applicable international and national best practices, desired uses and determined trail and infrastructure categories.

There are several categories under which you can become a sponsor, these include:

Trail Establishment

Trail establishment would be classified as the creation or renovation of a trail.

Tree Planting

Tree planting refers to the identification and planting of trees to beautify the space.

Trail Maintenance

Trail Maintenance includes the cleanup of trails to ensure it can be used at any time. This also includes varnishing as well as upkeep of the infrastructure that has been established.

Infrastructure Development

Infrastructure development these include bathroom facilities, parking area, gazebos, park benches, shelters, stairs etc.

Informational signage

Informational signage these include story boards and tree Labels.

To become a sponsor, send an email to fdinfo@forestry.gov.jm or call (876) 618-3205 extensions 2016 or 2036.