The Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology at The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus continues to strengthen its contribution to biodiversity research and environmental stewardship in Jamaica through newly secured funding from the Jamaica Conservation Partners (JCP). Two members of the department, Damion Whyte and Chauntelle Green Parkins, have recently been awarded grants to support projects focused on conservation research and environmental education.
Supporting Long-Term Bat Conservation in Jamaica
Damion Whyte, a researcher in the Department of Life Sciences whose work focuses on wildlife ecology and conservation biology, has been awarded a USD 25,000 grant over three years for a project titled “Long-term Monitoring of Jamaican Bats.”
Bats play a vital ecological role in Jamaica’s ecosystems, contributing to pollination, seed dispersal, and insect population control. However, despite their importance, long-term ecological data on bat populations in Jamaica remain limited. Through this project, Mr. Whyte aims to establish a sustained monitoring programme to assess population trends, habitat use, and potential environmental threats affecting bat species across the island. The findings are expected to contribute valuable data to conservation planning and biodiversity management efforts in Jamaica.
Enhancing Environmental Education at the PRML Biodiversity Centre
In a complementary initiative focused on education and community engagement, Chauntelle Green Parkins of the Port Royal Marine Laboratory (PRML) has secured a USD 15,000 grant, awarded in February 2026, for the project “PRML Biodiversity Centre Enhancement for Sustained Environmental Education.”
Mrs. Green Parkins’ project aims to strengthen the PRML Biodiversity Centre as a hub for environmental learning and outreach. The initiative will support improvements to the centre’s educational resources and exhibits, enabling it to better serve students, educators, and members of the public interested in Jamaica’s rich biodiversity and marine ecosystems. By enhancing the centre’s capacity, the project will contribute to long-term public engagement and awareness of conservation issues.
