BACK TO SCHOOL-BACK TO NATURE | VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2

National Museum Jamaica-Natural History Museum of Jamaica Collaboration Special Edition

BACK TO SCHOOL-BACK TO NATURE

“The Importance of Rivers to
Biodiversity” – World Rivers Day 2022

A big big thank you!

To all our partners, we could not have done it without you! From being a part of the planning and
execution of this important initiative, “Back - to - School, Back - to - Nature” — behind the scenes,
securing funding and participating in an enriching and nature based encounter — that proved to leave
an indelible mark in the minds of our children.

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World Rivers Day 2022 - Commemorative Activity -“The Importance of Rivers to Biodiversity”

The theme for World Rivers Day 2022 is "The importance of Rivers to Biodiversity". Here focus is placed
on the value our rivers have on society and a wide range of ecosystems. Rivers are important, not only
for humans but also for a wide range of plants, animals and their habitats. This significant day
highlights the value of our rivers; it is an opportunity to increase public awareness, and encourages the
improved stewardship of all our river systems. The name Jamaica is derived from the original Taino
word Xaymaca, which means “land of wood and water” and speaks to the integral role our waterways
play in our culture and society. Yet, our rivers face an array of threats – it is hoped that through our
collective and active involvement, together we can ensure their health for many years to come.

Focus Area: Salt River, Portland Bight, Clarendon

On September 23, 2022, Mrs. Kareen Parks-Swaby, Assistant Education Outreach Officer attached to

the Natural History Museum of Jamaica (NHMJ) participated in an outreach activity with the National
Museum Jamaica, represented by Ms. Alexis McDavid, Education Outreach Officer. This was in
collaboration with the Caribbean Coastal Area Management (CCAM) Foundation and involved twelve
(12) students and a teacher from the St. Michael's Primary School, Kingston. A visit was conducted to
the Portland Bight Protected Area managed by CCAM through an initiative dubbed “Back - to - School,
Back - to - Nature”. Its aim was to educate students in the downtown area of the importance of river
systems, particularly the Salt River, which is situated in the Portland Bight Protected Area (PBPA) in
commemoration of World Rivers Day 2022.

“Rivers are important to our survival.”
- Eartha Cole

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Salt River forms part of the wetland ecosystem that runs through the Portland Bight Protected Area
(PBPA). PBPA includes approximately 8,000 hectares of coastal mangroves, among the largest
contiguous mangrove stands remaining in Jamaica, as well as a salt marsh, several rivers, offshore
cays, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and open water. The entire area offers critical feeding and breeding
grounds and general habitats for endangered and internationally threatened species such as the cave
frog (Eleutherodactylus cavernicola), the Jamaican yellow snake (Epicrates subflavus), the Jamaican
Coney (Geocapromys brownii), the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) and the
American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). There is also an endemic cactus (Opuntia jamaicensis) present
there, which is considered endangered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the critically endangered Wild cherry (Malpighia proctorii) and
White Birch (Bursera hollickii).

Juvenile American crocodile spotted along the mangroves on a recent tour of the Salt River, boardwalk in PRBA, Clarendon

Portland Bight Dicovery Centre
Students participated in presentations on the different reptiles and birds that they would likely be
seen in the Portland Bight Protected Area. Interactive games and quizzes along with prize give-a-ways
were also given towards the end of their session. The field trip was a terrific one! Students learnt and
enjoyed the different tours of the Salt River ecosystem.

“Many plants and animals are sustained by our
river systems.” - Eartha Cole

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Boardwalk

Students, teachers and staff of the Institute of Jamaica were given the opportunity to go on a tour of
the boardwalk area. The boardwalk takes you on an intimate journey through the heart of the
mangroves. During this visit, intriguing sounds, scents and sights of the different species of animals,
plants and their environment were all experienced as the group moved along the Salt River. Students
showed amazement at the beauty displayed, yet were also saddened with learning about the negative
impacts that man-made activities had on the mangrove ecosystems.

“We must do what we can to protect and
safeguard our rivers.”- Eartha Cole

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Meet The Collaborators - It Takes A Village To Care!
The Institute of Jamaica and the St. Michael’s Primary School

The St. Michael's Primary is located on Tower Street, beside Tower Street Correctional Centre. For
years the school faculty and students have faced many difficulties due to high levels of crime and
volatility in the communities that surround it.
The Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) has had a meaningful relationship with this school from 2009. In
collaboration with other downtown entities, the IOJ has sought to facilitate an enriching learning
experience for the students of St Michael’s through its community outreach programmes— especially
since the prolonged period away from face to face learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
There have been many positive responses received from the students, teachers and parents. The IOJ is
pleased to assist students in overcoming the daily difficulties they face accessing resources for
learning by providing free educational programs.

“It is from small streams that big rivers rise.”
– Matshona Dhliwayo

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Natural History Museum of Jamaica (NHMJ) and National Museum of Jamaica (NMJ) Collaboration

The Natural History Museum of Jamaica serves as the storehouse of the country’s natural heritage. It
conducts research, programmes and activities designed to stimulate an interest in the biological
sciences and disseminate information on Jamaica’s flora and fauna. The National Museum Jamaica is
the national agent for the collection, preservation and documentation of Jamaica’s material culture
and aims to stimulate serious research and reflection on Jamaica’s history and contemporary life.
With these distinct mandates, it was fitting for both divisions of the Institute of Jamaica to collaborate
during this period to host the “Back - to - School, Back - to - Nature” initiative which targeted the St.
Michael's Primary School. The collaboration included presentations, biological displays, art and craft
activities, touch tours with artefacts, and nature-based field trips.

Caribbean Coastal Area Management (CCAM) Foundation

One of the goals of CCAM is the promotion of sustainable development and conservation efforts of the
natural environment for the Salt River and the wider Portland Bight Protected Area (PBPA). Most of the
PBPA is being used and is of great worth to the society yet, the Salt River and its environs are greatly
threatened by man-made activities. Unless the behaviour of people changes, the river systems that
constitute the PBPA will continue to be negatively impacted.
“It is CCAM’s belief that any approach to managing the PBPA should aim at protecting the biodiversity
and natural services of the area while increasing its contribution to the local economy and the quality of
life of residents and visitors”. CCAM

“A river doesn't just carry water, it carries life.”
- Amit Kalantri

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British Caribbean Insurance Company (BCIC) Jamaica
BCIC is passionate about creating positive change and impacting the lives of others by showing
compassion through its social responsibility and charitable contributions. They have keenly embraced
opportunities to contribute to the growth and development of Jamaica especially in the area of
education. This corporate social responsibility initiative for the Downtown, Kingston, area through
partnering with the Institute of Jamaica on the “Back - to - School, Back - to - Nature” has allowed
them to make a positive impact by providing educational opportunities for children living in
neighbouring communities such as Parade Gardens, Gold Street, Tower Street and Water Lane among
others in Downtown Kingston district.

“Water is the driving force of all nature.”
- Leonardo da Vinci

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Jamaica Energy Partners (JEP)
JEP is committed to producing energy in the most cost-efficient manner and the highest standard of
service to their customers, ensuring delivery in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. They
are ready to supply Jamaica’s growing energy needs, utilizing the competencies of staff and fellow
citizens. “We pride ourselves in being good corporate citizens, fully engaged in community
development by way of partnerships through education, sports and health initiatives.” JEP’s Corporate
communications.

"A good river is
nature's life work in song.”

- Mark Helprin

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Here are our top 10 things we can do to positively impact our river systems, in keeping with our theme
for World Rivers Day 2022 “The Importance of Rivers to Biodiversity”

Written and designed by:
Mrs. Eartha Cole, Education Outreach Officer - Natural History Museum of Jamaica (NHMJ)
Contributions to the Content:
Ms. Alexis McDavid, Education Outreach Officer - National Museum Jamaica (NMJ)
Ms. Patrice Howell, Corporate Social Responsibility Officer - Jamaica Energy Partners (JEP)
Ms. Ingrid Parchment, Executive Director, Caribbean Coastal Area Management (CCAM) Foundation
Editors:
Ms. Elizabeth Morrison, Zoologist - Natural History Museum of Jamaica (NHMJ)
Mr. Keron Campbell, Botanist - Natural History Museum of Jamaica (NHMJ)
Photo credits:
Ms. Venece Brown, Community Development Officer- Caribbean Coastal Area Management (CCAM) Foundation
Mr. Troy Franklin, Tours and Events Coordinator- Caribbean Coastal Area Management (CCAM) Foundation
Jamaica Energy Partners (JEP)

“Rivers are the arteries of our planet; they are
lifelines in the truest sense.”- Mark Angelo

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