Photo caption: Prof Michael Taylor (Dean, FST, The UWI Mona) engages in a conversation with Dr. Suzanne Davis (Senior Research Officer - Jamaica Clearing-House Mechanism/Think Tank Facilitator) about a preserved plant specimen at the NHMJ.

In observation of International Day for Biological Diversity excellent discussions were held on May 21, 2026 among the Climate Studies Group Mona (CSGM), the Caribbean Centre for Research in BioScience (CCRIB) within the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) at The University of the West Indies, Mona, the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation (C-CAM Foundation), and the Institute of Jamaica/Natural History Museum of Jamaica.

The discussions explored opportunities for collaboration at the intersection of climate change, biodiversity, heritage, and resilience, while highlighting exciting possibilities for partnership in areas including biodiversity conservation, climate impacts on natural heritage, research, scientific collections, science communication, public education, and community resilience.

The CSGM/FST delegation included Dr. Jayaka Campbell, Nia Erskine, Randy Aird, Professor Michael Taylor, and Professor Ina Vandebroek. The Faculty was pleased to engage with the IOJ/NHMJ team, including Mrs. Tracy Commock (Director, NHMJ), Dr. Suzanne Davis (Senior Research Officer – Jamaica Clearing-House Mechanism/Think Tank Facilitator), Dr. Dionne Newell (Senior Research Officer – Entomology), Ms. Janelle Morris (Assistant Botanist), Ms. Elizabeth Morrison (Zoologist), Ms. Leleka Johnson (Science Librarian), Ms. Denielle Boothe (Research Officer – Jamaica Clearing-House Mechanism), Mrs. Kareen Parks-Swaby (Assistant Education Outreach Officer), Mrs. Teona Rattigan (Museum Programme Officer), Mr. Leonard Wright (Laboratory Technician), and Mrs. Eartha Cole (Education Outreach Officer).

Photo caption: FST and IOJ/NHMJ colleagues engage in discussion about climate change, biodiversity, heritage, and resilience while view flora and funa specimens of Jamaica.

As climate risks continue to intensify across Small Island Developing States, partnerships that connect climate science, biodiversity, heritage, and public engagement will become increasingly important. The discussions underscored the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing sustainable solutions for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean region.