Jamaica’s breathtaking beauty and appeal as a great place to live and visit, is underpinned by a rich eco-system of nestling mountain ranges, terrestrial national parks, forest and game reserves, rivers, marine parks, fish sanctuaries as well as unique heritage sites and landmarks, where flora and fauna find habitat in delicate balance with human activities.
The island’s unique biodiversity is home to endemic species like the Giant Swallowtail Butterfly, primarily found in the eastern end of Jamaica’s renowned Blue and John Crow Mountains – a recently declared UNESCO Natural World Heritage site. The National Conservation Trust Fund of Jamaica (NCTFJ) provides financing for activities that contribute to the long-term sustainability of Jamaica’s National Protected Areas System (NPAS) including conservation, research, infrastructure preservation and development, as well as education and enforcement.
Up to 31 December 2022, the NCTFJ has financed 8 projects in areas related to Mangrove and coastal biodiversity restoration; sustainable livelihoods; and Environmental Education and Awareness. To date, the NCTFJ has attracted funding from the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) which is a major donor and technical partner; and from the Inter American Foundation.