Strategy for the implementation of the National Forest Policy 2018-2028 for Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique.

The Strategy for the implementation of the National Forest Policy for Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The timeframe of this policy is 10 years between 2018 and 2028. This Strategy aims at optimizing the contribution of forests to Grenada’s environmentally-sound social and economic development and ensure the resilience and sustainability of the resource.
The protection and restoration of vulnerable, threatened or degraded ecosystems will be strengthened by conducting research on ecosystems, including valuations of ecosystems services; preventing burning and wildfires in forested areas; managing the impacts of invasive species on forest biodiversity; and emphasising the use of local species in afforestation and reforestation programmes. Appropriate legislation will be developed, updated and enforced to designate and protect important species. Inventories will be conducted on the status of important plant and animal species to inform their management using scientific methodologies, traditional knowledge and participatory approaches. The capacity of all stakeholders will be enhanced to participate in the conservation, sustainable use and management of the country’s biodiversity. The awareness of the importance of biodiversity amongst landowners will be raised to encourage biodiversity friendly land use on private lands. Forest resource management procedures, projects and programmes with national policies, legislation and frameworks including, but not limited to the: National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan; Land Use Policy; environmental management legislation; and climate change policies and plans. Protected areas management will be strengthened by implementing integrated and institutional arrangements for the sustainable management of existing protected areas and the green spaces and forested areas within national parks and other protected areas. The collaboration with relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations will be strengthened to ensure that effective revenue collection systems are in place to optimize the revenue from protected areas, while ensuring the sustainability of the resource base. Wildlife management laws and regulations will be updated and enforced to optimize socio-economic and ecological benefits. The carbon sequestration function of forests will be improved for climate mitigation through monitoring of the level of deforestation; implementation of reforestation and afforestation programmes; and prevention of wildfires. A nation-wide agroforestry programme will be developed and implemented to promote forest health and use best practices for climate change resilience. Forest ecosystems will be monitored in terms of the effects of climate change. The sustainable contribution of forest resources to social and economic development will be enhanced, and food security, forest-based livelihoods and local green enterprises will be supported. The ability of forests to provide goods and services on a sustainable basis, emphasising co-management approaches, will be maintained, enhanced and restored. Tree establishment and management initiatives will be developed with schools, civil society organizations, local government units, land owners and other stakeholders inclusive of building their capacity on tree species selection, care and maintenance. An inventory of dry forests and wetlands will be conducted using scientific methods and participatory approaches. Existing recreation facilities and eco-tourism activities will be developed to optimize revenue whilst protecting the resource base. Watershed management will be strengthened in a sustainable manner by conducting research and implementing best practices and by protecting and restoring critical watersheds. Stakeholder engagement, partnerships and coordination will be strengthened for the effective implementation of the policy. Forest management information will be made available to all stakeholders. The capacity of all stakeholders will be enhanced on the forest management activities listed under all strategic and sub-strategic directions through the public awareness, communication and engagement strategies.