Photo caption: DBML distribution of solar lanterns to 75 households in a community adjacent to the Salt Marsh mangroves post Hurrican Melissa.
In response to the widespread environmental and community impacts of Hurricane Melissa (October 28, 2025), the Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology at The University of the West Indies,Mona undertook targeted recovery and resilience activities along Jamaica’s north and south coasts in December 2025. These efforts focused on community support, ecosystem recovery, and student engagement in national response initiatives. The Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory expressed gratitude to its staff, students and partners, including Stony Brook University and the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET), for their support of recovery efforts. These partners contributed approximately JMD 440,000, which assisted in response activities and helped strengthen DBML’s capacity to continue community outreach.
Community Support and Coastal Resilience: On December 10, 2025, the Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory (DBML) team, through the North Coast Mangrove Conservation Project, distributed solar lanterns to 75 households in a community adjacent to the Salt Marsh mangroves. The area was severely affected by Hurricane Melissa and faced prolonged electricity outages. The distribution provided immediate relief by improving household safety, lighting, and energy access while reinforcing the importance of mangrove ecosystems in coastal protection.
Photo caption: DBML visitors from The State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook also brought care packages for distribution to the Discovery Bay community (in addition to USD2100 for the Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory). The donations were presented to Dr. Camilo Trench (right) academic coordinator at DBML during their annual field course at the DBML.
Mangrove Forest Damage Assessments: On December 11, 2025, the Forestry Department engaged the Department of Life Sciences to support post-hurricane mangrove forest assessments in Western Jamaica. Ten final-year students from the Environmental Biology and Marine Biology programmes volunteered and received training in standardized mangrove assessment protocols. The students are actively conducting field surveys to evaluate hurricane-related damage and recovery needs.
Fieldwork commenced in Montego Bay and Black River, contributing critical data to inform national mangrove restoration and management strategies. This collaboration also provided students with hands-on experience in disaster response, ecological monitoring, and applied conservation science. On January 15, 2026, Additionally, Dr. Camilo Trench participated in a Post-Hurricane Melissa site visit conducted in Parrottee, St. Elizabeth with the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), the Forestry Department and the National Works Agency (NWA) for mangrove restoration planning.
Photo caption: DBML Students who volunteered and received training in standardized mangrove assessment protocols post Hurrican Melissa.
School Support: From November 10–13, 2025, Mr. Ricardo Hickling coordinated a hurricane assistance initiative to support four educational institutions severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa: The Glen Preparatory, Waltham Abbey Primary, Keith Primary, and William Knibb High School. A total of 12 staff members from the Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory participated in post-hurricane clean-up and rebuilding activities, helping schools restore safe and functional learning environments for students and staff.
Through community outreach, scientific assessment, and student involvement, the Department of Life Sciences continues to play an active role in supporting Jamaica’s environmental recovery following Hurricane Melissa.
