The Forestry Department
If on hearing the word ‘Forestry’, you immediately thought, ‘Trees’ or ‘Greenery’, you would have correctly guessed the core function of Jamaica’s Forestry Department.
The Agency is the Government organization responsible for the management and conservation of the country’s forest resources.
Welcome To The Forestry Department
The Forestry Department is the lead Agency responsible for the island's forest resources. We manage approximately 117,000 hectares of forests in Jamaica.
The Government's lead agency in the protection and conservation of the island's forest resources.
National Forestry Conference
As part of the EU-funded project support to increase productivity and growth in the Forest Sector of Jamaica, the Forestry Department of Jamaica presented the inaugural National Forestry Conference (NFC) on 7th - 8th December 2022.
The venue for the NFC was Jamaica Conference Center, 14-20 Port Royal Street, Kingston
National Tree Planting Initiative
The National Tree Planting Initiative to plant three million trees in three years was launched by the Most Honorable Prime Minister Andrew Holness on October 4, 2019. The objective of the Initiative is to support national development in the areas of climate change and reforestation efforts to increase forest cover and establish high value urban green spaces for all Jamaicans.
Wetland Forests
Mangroves are coastal ecosystems characterized by salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that thrive along tropical shorelines, creating unique habitats at the land-sea interface.
In Jamaica, mangroves play a crucial role in preserving coastal environments, providing a natural barrier against storm surges and erosion, and acting as a nursery for diverse marine life, including fish, crabs, and shrimp, which are vital for local fisheries.
Our Latest Updates
Our Online Shop
Rental of Plants
We rent palms for events including weddings and parties. We have a variety of palms at very competitive prices.
Manual of Dendrology
Dendrology is defined as the scientific study of trees, and our Manual of Dendrology is an essential tool for anyone interested in learning more about forest trees.
Pine Cones
Natural pine cones are available for sale during October-December yearly. They are ideal Christmas decorations for the home, offices and special events.
Our Services
Forest Trek
We provide a yearly forest hike called Forest Trek, usually held in March. The forest areas visited vary each year.
Training Facility
Our training facility is located at our Constant Spring Road headquarters, minutes from Half-Way-Tree and Manor Park
GIS Services
We can Georeference your digital maps and aerial photos, Convert or scan your paper maps and geospatial images to a preferred digital format and so much more.
Permits and Licences
In order to effectively manage and protect Jamaica's forest resources, the Agency has implemented a system of permits and licences.
Our Products
Seedlings
Our four nurseries across the island provide seedlings for the Agency's use, as well as for sale to the general public.
Potted Plants
You asked and we listened, stop by one of our nurseries and purchase one of our potted plants today.
Rental of Plants
We rent palms for events including weddings and parties. We have a variety of palms at very competitive prices.
Pine Cones
Natural pine cones are available for sale during October-December yearly. They are ideal Christmas decorations for the home, offices and special events.
Christmas Trees
The Agency provides cut natural Christmas trees during the festive season for home and office décor at $1,200 per foot.
Manual of Dendrology
Dendrology is defined as the scientific study of trees, and our Manual of Dendrology is an essential tool for anyone interested in learning more about forest trees.
Standing Timber
Timber species are available for harvesting from our forest plantations.
Latest News
Inspiring Place Feature: Bogue 2 Forest Reserve
The Bogue 2 Forest Reserve was gazetted on April 8, 2016, as a forest reserve comprising 455.41 hectares. T...
The Forestry Department builds the investigative capacity of the Enforcement Team
The Forestry Department has moved to improve the case preparation and management capacity of its forest enf...
Forestry Department Restores our Roots, Partners to Plant Over 600 Trees on National Tr...
“Restore our Roots… Replant a Tree Today,” to reflect the focus on trees’ ability to improve the island’s r...Client Feedback
They are a hard working bunch with limited resources...
A well organized place that has the forest as their main interest...
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Forestry Department was designated as an Executive Agency in May 2010.
The Land Use Assessment of 2013, revealed that approximately 40 per cent or 439, 937.8 hectares of the island is covered by forests.
This is up from the 30 per cent reported in 1998 Land Use Assessment.
This is up from the 30 per cent reported in 1998 Land Use Assessment.
The purpose of the National Forest Management and Conservation Plan (NFMCP) is the sector plan for the forest sector that seeks to promote the development of the sector and the conservation and sustainable use of the forest resources of the country to meet local and national needs. This is achieved through the protection, management and restoration of the forest resources for the benefit of present and future generations. This ten-year plan has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Forest Act of 1996. This plan was widely distributed and presented to the public in a series of well-attended meetings and workshops where feedback was sought before the plan was finalised. The Plan has been approved by both houses of Parliament and is now being utilized in guiding the operations of the Forestry Department and the development of the forest sector.
A 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.
National Tree Planting Day is observed on the first Friday in October of each year.
