WASHINGTON, D.C.—The USDA Forest Service International Programs Office recently concluded its Natural Infrastructure for Caribbean Resilience regional seminar on ecosystem restoration in Trinidad and Tobago. The five-day seminar brought together participants from environment protection institutions, community-based organizations, and universities in Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as partner institutions in the United States.

Seminar participants exchanged best practices and innovations for bolstering climate change resilience and learned about the importance of social, ecological and technological integration for urban resilience. They also participated in three days of community-led disaster risk reduction and fire prevention activities in the high-risk areas of Carenage and St. Ann’s. The activities were led by Forest Service grantee Fondes Amandes Community Reforestation Project.

U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Candace Bond launched the seminar and noted its value for expanding collaborative efforts for bolstering climate change resilience in the Caribbean region.

“This forum arrives at a critical juncture, as we confront the escalating impacts of climate change head-on. It offers a valuable opportunity for NICaR grantees, policymakers and stakeholders to exchange best practices and innovative solutions, bolstering our collective efforts to enhance resilience and safeguard our communities and ecosystems,” said Ambassador Bond.

Tamara Heartsill-Scalley, research ecologist from the USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry, played a pivotal role in moderating panel discussions on community resilience in the Caribbean, with a specific focus on upland forest restoration and urban resilience. She noted that a successful intervention must include social, ecological and technological integration for urban resilience. The panel she moderated showcased the fundamental importance of restoration objectives and the need for stakeholder consensus prior to restoration approaches.

“Land use history, community participation and community land management are key elements for sustainable forest restoration practices,” she said.

Heartsill-Scalley’s expertise and insights contributed to engaging discussions among NICaR grantees and regional stakeholders, and everyone appreciated the collaborative approaches shared to addressing climate challenges and preserving biodiversity in the Caribbean. Heartsill-Scalley noted the abundance of local knowledge in the room and stressed the importance of continued knowledge exchange to grow a Caribbean resilience support network.

“This is really a learning experience; what we are able to see is that there are common issues across the Caribbean among the grantees. At the end of the day, we are stronger together, so it’s all about solidarity and helping each other,” said seminar participant and Executive Director of Jamaica Conservation Development Trust David Walters.

The NICaR program supports Caribbean partners to improve carbon sequestration and strengthen resilience to climate change through restoration and disaster preparedness initiatives. The program is implemented by the USDA Forest Service International Programs Office with support from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Oceans and International Environment and Scientific Affairs.