The Environmental Foundation of Jamaica hosted the 7th instalment of its annual public lecture, on Thursday October 20,

2011 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. The lecture entitled On the Brink of Extinction: Saving Jamaicas Vanishing Species was presented by Dr. Byron Wilson, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Life Sciences, UWI Mona, to a record audience of over 400 participants. Dr. Wilsons presentation focused on a number of animal species which are extinct or nearing extinction. Among the species discussed were the Jamaican Iguana, the American Crocodile, the Jamaican Boa, the Giant Swallowtail Butterfly, and the Hawksbill Sea Turtle. He explained to the captive audience that whereas past extinctions were mainly nature-based, humans are affecting more species and at a faster rate than ever before with their actions. Popular myths of the aphrodisiac properties of some of these species have contributed to their extinction as well as a migratory and culturally diverse population of people and animals that are killing a wider range of our fauna including Lecture presenter Dr. Byron Wilson, Senior Lecturer, Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, Mona. endangered ones, either for consumption or by clearance of their homes/habitats. Environment Specialist, UNDP and comprised of Environment. Last year, the lecture provided an in Mr. Peter Knight- CEO, National Environment and depth look at Children in the Care and Custody of the Of surprise to a number of members in the audience, Planning Agency; Ms. Wendy Lee, Executive Director, State with a revealing and grounding lecture from Child including the large contingent of students, was the Northern Jamaica Conservation Association; Dr. Mona Advocate Mary Clarke. The EFJ has a long history of revelation that Jamaica actually had a monkey which Webber, Head of Department of Life Sciences, UWI; working with Non-Governmental and Community and Mr. Orlando Robinson, Curator of the Hope Based Organisations, Academic Institutions and was around even to the time of Columbus. Zoo. Comments and questions from the panel and the in partnership with key stakeholders throughout Following Dr. Wilsons presentation, discussions on the audience expressed support for the conservation work the length and breadth of the island. The funding subject continued with a panel of experts involved in and advice, especially for the new plans for the Hope provided by the EFJ has impacted the natural and environmental management and protection. The panel Zoo and its role, as well as the general need to educate built environmental landscape, children, communities, was facilitated by Dr. Margaret Jones Williams, Energy/ Jamaicans on their own animals was forthcoming. livelihoods, plant and animal species to name a few. There was a spirited discussion on the work Since inception, EFJ has approved 1,132 projects in the and role of NEPA in general and in particular amount of just over J$2.4 billion. For the year 2011, 24 in terms of Cays and Protected Area Policies as new projects totalling J$74.5 million were approved. In well as their way forward. particular, the EFJ has provided over J$300million for over 100 projects in the area of biodiversity awareness, The audience was also treated to displays of management and conservation as a demonstration of live and preserved exhibits of Jamaican animals its commitment and acknowledgement of this topic to by the Institute of Jamaica, the Hope Zoo, the Jamaicas national development. Northern Jamaica Conservation Association, the UWI Port Royal Marine Laboratory and the National Environment and Planning Agency. NEPA used this opportunity to promote its new drive to eliminate the invasive lion fish with the mantra if you cant beat it, eat it! and demonstrated the proper way of preparing the lion fish for a meal.
Panelists (l-r) Dr. Wilson, Mr. Peter Knight, NEPA, Dr. Mona Webber, Department of Life Sciences UWI, Mona, Orlando Robinson, Hope Zoo and Wendy Lee NJCA. Inset Dr. Margaret Jones-Williams, UNDP.

EXTINCT JAMAICAN SPECIES

JAMAICAN MONKEY JAMAICAN RICE RAT JAMAICAN PAURAQUE JAMAICAN PETREL JAMAICAN RAIL (UNIFORM CRAKE) JAMAICAN RED MACAW JAMAICAN GIANT GECKO JAMAICAN GIANT GALLIWASP SMALL-EYED GALLIWASP JAMAICAN POLYLIZARD JAMAICAN BLACK RACER SNAKE JAMAICAN STREAM FROG JAMAICAN LEAF MIMIC FROG

SPECIES UNDER THREAT

JAMAICAN SLIDER TURTLE GREEN TURTLE HAWKSBILL TURTLE LEATHERBACK TURTLE LOGGERHEAD TURTLE AMERICAN CROCODILE BLUE-TAILED GALLIWASP JAMAICAN SKINK JAMAICAN IGUANA JAMAICAN BOA

JAMAICAN CONSERVATION HOTSPOTS BLACK RIVER LOWER MORASS BLUE AND JOHN CROW MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK THE COCKPIT COUNTRY DOLPHIN HEAD MOUNTAIN HELLSHIRE HILLS

Each year, the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) creates a platform for discussing issues of national importance by alternating the lecture between its areas of focus namely Child Development and
Students from St. Andrew High School for Girls receiving business cards from Diana McCaulay, CEO, Jamaica Environment Trust, an EFJ member organisation.

The lecture booklet is available at:

www.efj.org.jm Hard copies are available at our offices at:

A section of the audience at the lecture. Mrs. Karen McDonald-Gayle, CEO Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, introducing the programme.

Senator Marlene Malahoo-Forte engaging students, of St. Jago High School, in discussion.

1b Norwood Avenue Kingston 5 Tel: (876) 960-6744 or 960-8799 efj.ja@cwjamaica.com

Environmental Foundation of Jamaica

Denise Chin, Research Assistant, National Lionfish Project at NEPA, demonstrating proper preparation technique for the Lionfish.

Students from St. Jago High School petting a baby crocodile, on display by the UWI Port Royal Marine Laboratory.

Prof. Dale Webber, Chairman of the EFJ in discussion with Senator Marlene Malahoo-Forte and Dr. David Smith, Board Director, EFJ.