Landcare Runnings_ off to Jamaica

Landcare Runnings!

Landcare Training in Hanover and Westmoreland Parishes, JAMAICA,
30 March to 2 April 2015.

Since it began in 1986, Landcare has been the most successful community-driven land restoration and conservation movement in Australia. Interest in Landcare has spread around the world, including to Jamaica.

Normally seen in fierce competition in a sports arena, English, Australian and Jamaican community members are teaming up through Australian Landcare International to undertake training for local land managers and students about the Landcare approach.

About the Project:

Some seven years ago The Hanover & Wolverhampton Link Project, approached Australian Landcare International to run a Landcare training course in its home community in Jamaica.

Hanover people see Landcare as a way to rehabilitate productive land after 300 years of subsistence and commercial farming. The region is growing rapidly due to tourism, however locals want to maintain some traditional farming industries, including fruit growing and vegetable production for sale to major resorts and restaurants. We hope training will lead to community-managed projects across the parish to conserve soil, control pest plants and animals, create carbon sinks and foster biodiversity, at the same time marketing high-quality produce co-operatively. Tourism opportunities such as farm-stay and ecotourism ventures may also be feasible.Knockalva students

About Landcare:

Landcare is a community-driven movement that aims to help protect, restore and sustainably manage Australia's natural environment and its productivity.  Landcare groups work in partnership with government, the corporate sector and NGOs to achieve their aims.

About Australian Landcare International (ALI):

Australian Landcare International aims to help people in other countries manage their land and water resources more sustainably by:

·       Promoting Landcare to national and international organisations as a sustainable way to manage natural resources for food production and resource conservation

·       Providing on-ground training about Landcare in various countries
·       Making connections between people and projects in Australia and overseas

Australian Landcare International is a not-for-profit organisation, enjoying good relationships with government, industry and not-for-profit sectors.

About The Hanover & Wolverhampton Link Project (HWLOP):

The Hanover & Wolverhampton Link Project is a British-Jamaican charity group which brings together people of Jamaican descent to support economic, environmental, social, cultural and educational activities in Hanover Parish, near Montego Bay in Jamaica. Their forebears migrated from Hanover to Wolverhampton in the English Midlands from the 1940s to the 1960s. The Link team has also developed a warm relationship with Professor Mike Fullen, Professor of Soil Technology in the Biology and the Environment Faculty, The University of Wolverhampton. This project is also in collaboration Knockalva Agricultural College and the Westmoreland Bee Farmers Association.

For more go to:
Web:                     http://www.alci.com.au
Facebook:    
https://www.facebook.com/australianlandcare
Twitter:  @AusLandcareInt   #Landcarerunnings
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Expected Costs ($AUD 5300):
(there's bound to be others I've missed!)

Flights - Australia to Jamaica – at own expense

Accommodation 10 days x 2 rooms x $AUD 60 = $1200.00

Meals 10 days x 4 persons x$ AUD 12 =$480

Bus Hire  10 days  @ $ AUD 112 + fuel estimated at $100 = $1,220

Workshop meals x 50 participants x 4days x $ AUD 12 = $2,400

If we are lucky enough to go over our goal, any extra funds will go into the ALI Overseas Fund for use in other projects internationally.