Operating with respect to the environment has always been the modus operandi of the Developer and Operator of Highway 2000 East-West. Therefore, in addition to our own environmentally conscious objectives and initiatives, TransJamaican Highway Limited and Jamaican Infrastructure Operator Limited continue to sponsor the IOJ’s Earth Day competition in support of the view that all living things have an intrinsic value, and each plays a unique role in the construct of life.

International Earth Day is observed on April 22^nd each year, and here in Jamaica this competition is the avenue used to engage, stir awareness, and educate ourselves about issues relating to our planet earth.

The 20^th Staging of The Natural History Museum of Jamaica’s (NHMJ) and the Institute of Jamaica’s (IOJ) annual Earth Day Competition was held on April 30, 2019 under the theme “Protecting our Species”.

The event’s guest speaker, Mr. Damany Calder, President of BirdLife Jamaica and Environmental Officer at NEPA, gave an informative presentation on the various species of bats, birds, reptiles frogs, butterflies and plants endemic to our island, Jamaica. Mr. Calder stressed the point that we need to get more involved in initiatives that promote the recognition of our unique biodiversity, and the protection of our species and their habitats.

He went further to highlight the National Environment and Planning Agency’s (NEPA) roles and responsibilities in their efforts to Protecting our Species and invited the attendees to also do their part, by reducing consumption, practicing proper disposal of waste, and controlling any invasive species to limit the negative impact on our environment. The presentation also looked at, how young people can get involved, through the various environmental groups and become volunteers and activists in the fight against the extinction of Jamaica’s rich biodiversity by human activities.

The competition drew the participation of youths from various secondary schools, churches, clubs and organized youth groups. Through the use of Creative Arts, our young people showcased the uniqueness of Jamaica’s endangered and endemic species, while encouraging the preservation of the species and their habitats. Participants submitted posters, videos, photography, designed models, and literary pieces that included poems, short stories and essays all capturing this year’s theme and focusing on the species found in Jamaica. Over 100 entries made it into the competition, and featured pieces have been mounted in the NHMJ’S Discovery Room at 10-16 East Street Kingston for public viewing until later this year.

Biodiversity Awareness Project -Vegetable Gardens in Schools, Clarendon and St. Catherine

Our Biodiversity Awareness project, a partnership with the Natural History Museum of Jamaica (NHMJ) and the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ), continues to fulfil its mandate effectively. The Biodiversity Centre at Chandler’s Pen Primary and Junior High School remains the focal point for any biodiversity and general environmental -related activities undertaken by the programme. However, we have extended to four additional schools via the implementation of vegetable gardens. The installation of the Vegetable Garden in school, element of our Biodiversity programme, started in 2017 with Chandler’s Pen Primary, Freetown and Independence City Primary.

All three schools have since been successful in achieving their specific objective and we will continue to strive in improving their emphasis as follows:

•  Chandler’s Pen Primary and Junior High- Ornamental Gardening, an aesthetic expression of beauty through art and nature, (reduce, reuse and recycle).
•  Free Town Primary – Backyard Gardening and waste management (composting etc.)

NHMJ in partnership with Highway 2000 East-West handed over two vegetable gardens to Rosewell Primary and Moore’s Primary and Infant Schools in Clarendon, located within the Highway 2000 East-West vicinity on Wednesday, April 25,2018. In attendance, we had the Principals of both schools, Ms. Paulette Douglas and Mrs. Wendy McKoy from Rosewell and Moore’s Primary respectively.

We had greetings from the Executive Director of IOJ, Mr. Vivian Crawford and his contingency from the NHMJ, Managing Director, Mr Guillaume Allain and his team from Highway 2000 East-West, Mrs. Jeneive Williams, Education Officer, Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, and Mrs. Carlene Benjamin Councillor, Palmer’s Cross Division, South Eastern Clarendon. The consensus was great appreciation for the new partnerships with the schools, IOJ, and Highway 2000 East-West and commitments to work closely to ensure sustainability of this vegetable garden project. The schools in Rosewell and Moore’s were also gifted with tools such as machetes, wheel barrows, and shovels by Highway 2000 East-West along with a vegetable garden workbook published by NHMJ.

The objectives of the project are for the students to become more aware of nature and the role humans play in its conservation and to develop an appreciation of farming. In relation to the two-new schools, emphasis will be placed as follows:

•  Rosewell Primary -the emphasis is placed on organic gardening, matching vegetables that will be able to survive the condition of the stone soil.
•  Moore’s Primary - the emphasis of our program will be on rain water harvesting and planting crops that may require minimal water dependency.

The project is sponsored by Trans Jamaican Highway and administered by JIO, and we appreciate the partnership with the Natural History Museum of Jamaica (NHMJ) and the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ). It has enabled us to participate in many of their associate activities and help us to forge relationships with the communities in which we operate.

Sustainable Development are programmes designed to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Reference is made to the “interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars” of Sustainable Development as economic development, social development and environmental protection. As part of a high profile project in Jamaica, the Highway 2000 East-West, Jamaican Infrastructure Operator Ltd has decided to be committed to sustainable development. 

We continue to offer new ideas, new concepts and international best practices, that help our employees to grow and have a brighter future. We also need to have a respectful approach towards the environment. Offering employment opportunities to boost the dignity of citizens living in communities along the highway corridor is also layout of the road also paramount.

In Jamaica, this approach is gradually becoming mainstream and environmentally friendly solutions are now of great concern. We have decided to focus on: Economic, Social and Environmental aspects.