Why Does STEA Exist?
Since 1996 the Southern Trelawny Environmental Agency (STEA) has been committed to creating solutions for environmental issues that face the lush areas of the Cockpit Country of Jamaica. Based on their assessment of over 300 miles of rural area they realize that many environmental issues such as bauxite mining, litter, and access to clean water affects the community's education, financial position and its health. They are under the leadership of Hugh Dixon, the CEO of the STEA and has decades of experience working and living throughout Jamaica striving for the socio-economic betterment of the country. STEA’s headquarters is Trelawny County in the northern part of the Cockpit. The Cockpit is home to nearly 20 townships and communities.
The Cockpit is considered the last of the untouched natural lands in Jamaica. Currently the Cockpit of Jamaica is threatened by bauxite mining, illegal bird hunting, rare plant gathering, logging and the conversion of forest land into agricultural land by local farmers. Deforestation is a severe in the Cockpit because it leads to the spread of foreign entities throughout the heart of the jungle. When the foliage barriers are broken these foreign threats such as plants and animals pose threats: to wildlife, temperature change that effects the survival of the natural wildlife in the area, and the opening of roads in that give poachers easy access to wildlife. Roads also give way to mining opportunities.
Mining produces an array of negative effects to the Cockpit's natural habitat. It is currently leading to depletion and contamination of soil and water resources; the leading issues include output or exhaust from the motorized machines. This also causes the displacement of small rural communities surrounding the mining, many of which were established near water resources. The Mining Act of Jamaica-1947 is a law that has been loosely enforced and gives mining companies the opportunity to continue work regardless of the effects mentioned above.
In this publication I will discuss STEA’s vision, mission and goals, and their ability to affect people living within Cockpit Country on a grass roots level and throughout Jamaica. I will also discuss STEA’s leadership model, and finally what I plan to do while I’m Jamaica with STEA- as it applies to previous work done in ESEC 640.
This publication is important because it provides insight into of how an individual’s physical environment is significant enough to alter how a community lives, even survives. In the age global warming there is more evidence pointing towards our demise within a few generations if we as a planet do not change how we use our environment and its resources. This publication is proof that there are organizations that can start mobilizing their community to work towards the preservation of natural resources close to them and create cohesion among neighboring communities.
In this publication I will discuss STEA’s vision, mission and goals, and their ability to affect people living within Cockpit Country on a grass roots level and throughout Jamaica. I will also discuss STEA’s leadership model, and finally what I plan to do while I’m Jamaica with STEA- as it applies to previous work done in ESEC 640.
This publication is important because it provides insight into of how an individual’s physical environment is significant enough to alter how a community lives, even survives. In the age global warming there is more evidence pointing towards our demise within a few generations if we as a planet do not change how we use our environment and its resources. This publication is proof that there are organizations that can start mobilizing their community to work towards the preservation of natural resources close to them and create cohesion among neighboring communities.
What does STEA do for those living and working in Jamaica’s Cockpit?
STEA’s mission: To promote development in Trelawny and its environs by implementing environmental conservation and economic opportunity projects.
STEA’s Vision: To develop institutional capacity such that STEA is financially stable and can have a long-term environmental and community development impact in South Trelawny and its environs through discrete, integrated project activities in keeping with the mission of the organization
STEA’s mission: To promote development in Trelawny and its environs by implementing environmental conservation and economic opportunity projects.
STEA’s Vision: To develop institutional capacity such that STEA is financially stable and can have a long-term environmental and community development impact in South Trelawny and its environs through discrete, integrated project activities in keeping with the mission of the organization
They have the historically been involved in developing various communities throughout the Cockpit in various forms. They have tapped into primary and secondary schools to conduct seminars on the ecological and financial importance of the land. They have been associated with a number of studies focusing on water and soil management and were able to use those statistics to generate funding from public and private entities. Although their efforts focus on the conservation of Cockpit Country they also look to educate farmers in efficiency protocols and work entrepreneurs who use the land to generate income. They seek to create and maintain the relationships they have with public and private entities who have a social, financial and developmental stake in the Cockpit and throughout Jamiaca. This results in active tourism, money , more resources for educational activities, and new technology within the Cockpit.
STEA has several focus areas that create revenue and awareness of social issues throughout the community. Eco-tourism through Cockpit Country Adventure Tours gives visitors the opportunity to access the lush untouched areas of Cockpit country. They have created this tourism program in order to generate income for staff and the organization as a whole. The tourism also stimulates the local economy, such as guesthouses (that traveler’s stay in during their visit) and food establishments. They have also partnered with schools within the communities throughout the land to provide environmental education programming to students, and teachers to help in spreading awareness. They have also collaborated with other environmental groups throughout the country. The eco-tourism efforts receives funding, material and resources from the Peace Corps, Royal Netherlands Embassy, Jamaica Environment Trust Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, just to name a few. STEA also has done various biodiversity studies, a notable one was the Rapid Rural Appraisal of Spring Garden and Rock Spring Communities.
This water management study was done to eventually provide the Trelawney country with 21 water management systems. They were able to create partnerships with the local government – the National Water Commission- to maintain these systems and provide partial funding for the systems. STEA also created a community based workforce to dig ditches for pipes and create fencing around the water systems.
By involving the community in the development of its own community STEA has been able to create effective mobilization techniques that also give the community a chance to become educated about their natural surroundings and get involved in creating solutions for some of the issues they face within their community.
STEA has several focus areas that create revenue and awareness of social issues throughout the community. Eco-tourism through Cockpit Country Adventure Tours gives visitors the opportunity to access the lush untouched areas of Cockpit country. They have created this tourism program in order to generate income for staff and the organization as a whole. The tourism also stimulates the local economy, such as guesthouses (that traveler’s stay in during their visit) and food establishments. They have also partnered with schools within the communities throughout the land to provide environmental education programming to students, and teachers to help in spreading awareness. They have also collaborated with other environmental groups throughout the country. The eco-tourism efforts receives funding, material and resources from the Peace Corps, Royal Netherlands Embassy, Jamaica Environment Trust Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, just to name a few. STEA also has done various biodiversity studies, a notable one was the Rapid Rural Appraisal of Spring Garden and Rock Spring Communities.
This water management study was done to eventually provide the Trelawney country with 21 water management systems. They were able to create partnerships with the local government – the National Water Commission- to maintain these systems and provide partial funding for the systems. STEA also created a community based workforce to dig ditches for pipes and create fencing around the water systems.
By involving the community in the development of its own community STEA has been able to create effective mobilization techniques that also give the community a chance to become educated about their natural surroundings and get involved in creating solutions for some of the issues they face within their community.
The Country Conservation Awareness Project gave the Cockpit community and over 60 schools a platform to not only discuss environmental issues with trained staff from STEA, but to also gave their input on how they can aid the preservation of the Cockpit’s natural resources. During this project people throughout the country were also trained in how to maintain their environment. Because STEA prides itself on community mobilization and awareness training they have been able to aid in the development of local communities in many areas.
They have established a month long training program for farmers for “soil conservation and erosion control ” (STEA.net, 2011). In this training program professional farmers (many of whom are yam farmers) receive an opportunity to understand new trends in soil amendment for a larger yield, rearranging their farms for optimal growth and to lessen soil erosion. STEA has its own plots for demonstration purposes and has been able to save 60 tons of soil due to these training (STEA.net,2011). There are many tools in place for all members of the community to interact and become lucrative.
The Yam Festival is one of those tools. This annual (food) event brings local residents, businesses and farmers together for a fundraising event for STEA (and local businesses) and brings about awareness for the cultivation and the consumption of yams (for healthy diets), among of things. During the event there is also a showcase for local talent during the four day event along with various activities and established eateries selling their food. They also have public and private entities that support the event by donating money, and resources and STEA estimated that this event alone puts “approximately $8M into local circulation” (STEA.net, 2011).
The Yam Festival is one of those tools. This annual (food) event brings local residents, businesses and farmers together for a fundraising event for STEA (and local businesses) and brings about awareness for the cultivation and the consumption of yams (for healthy diets), among of things. During the event there is also a showcase for local talent during the four day event along with various activities and established eateries selling their food. They also have public and private entities that support the event by donating money, and resources and STEA estimated that this event alone puts “approximately $8M into local circulation” (STEA.net, 2011).
Who runs STEA?
STEA is a member run organization that has select staff members and departments that run the organization. The over 200 individuals that help STEA run are a part of a secretariat staff, volunteers or work with closely with the director/CEO-Hugh Dixon. Hugh Dixon is from Jamaica and has worked for several decades as a public officer in local government, Peace Corps Training Officer, and has held other political positions within Jamaica.
STEA is a member run organization that has select staff members and departments that run the organization. The over 200 individuals that help STEA run are a part of a secretariat staff, volunteers or work with closely with the director/CEO-Hugh Dixon. Hugh Dixon is from Jamaica and has worked for several decades as a public officer in local government, Peace Corps Training Officer, and has held other political positions within Jamaica.
There are 9 individuals with 3-year tenures on the board of directors and there are set goals that are to be evaluated during their meetings.
The Goals of STEA's Board of Directors:
· To ensure growth and development of STEA consistent with its mission and goals
· To ensure the preparation of the accounts for the annual audit
· To approve the annual Budget and review the financial status of the organization at interim points
· To agree to and approve organizational policies
· To ensure that the legal operations of the organization are in line with national standards
· To delegate to competent management while ensuring organizational accountability
STEA prides themselves on transparency in order to keep ideas fresh, to gain publicity and to help the community as much as possible. STEA uses Peace Corps Volunteers and other individuals with relative skill sets in order to make environmental conservation and awareness for the Cockpit apply to all aspects of life. STEA works hard to get funding from diverse entities- mostly grants. The Environmental Foundation of Jamaica has been one of the largest funders of STEA. They also work with public and private organizations nationally and internationallly STEA claims that their funds are used to ensure the sustain ability of the organization. Eco tours conducted by STEA’s trained staff are also another form of income for the organization.
The Goals of STEA's Board of Directors:
· To ensure growth and development of STEA consistent with its mission and goals
· To ensure the preparation of the accounts for the annual audit
· To approve the annual Budget and review the financial status of the organization at interim points
· To agree to and approve organizational policies
· To ensure that the legal operations of the organization are in line with national standards
· To delegate to competent management while ensuring organizational accountability
STEA prides themselves on transparency in order to keep ideas fresh, to gain publicity and to help the community as much as possible. STEA uses Peace Corps Volunteers and other individuals with relative skill sets in order to make environmental conservation and awareness for the Cockpit apply to all aspects of life. STEA works hard to get funding from diverse entities- mostly grants. The Environmental Foundation of Jamaica has been one of the largest funders of STEA. They also work with public and private organizations nationally and internationallly STEA claims that their funds are used to ensure the sustain ability of the organization. Eco tours conducted by STEA’s trained staff are also another form of income for the organization.
What I plan to do at STEA?
My job/ internship will be at STEA, where I will be lucky enough to shadow Hugh Dixon, the CEO of the organization. He was a former Peace Corps Trainer and continues to use Peace Corps Volunteers, along with other volunteers and staff to create environmental awareness programs for tourist and and locals about the Cockpit Country of Jamaica. I should be leaving for my internship during the 1st week of February and staying unil the end of the second week of March 2012. He has graciously agreed to allow me to become involved in the daily operations of STEA: from understanding the how their finances are distributed throughout the organization to working on the tours. I will be staying at a local guest house. One of the main focuses/ tasks will be aiding in engaging the community to promote the Trelawny Yam Festival that will happen during the Easter weekend.
I chose to work with STEA after I spoke to a colleague about the SEC requirement. As a former Peace Corps Volunteer she knew that I would be willing to go anywhere and she told me about her old program trainer Hugh Dixon who she still remains in contact with. I knew that I wanted to work with an organization that had a strong name within the community and would give me the opportunity to shadow the CEO and the workers. I knew that as a former volunteer it would be easier for me to make the connection and do that kind of work with Hugh. After this program I would like to work in the sustainability field for either eco-conservation of sustainable housing and neighborhoods. By working with STEA I know that I will be able to get the experience for the former and engage the community on a grass roots level. I’m also sure that I will be able to experience something I’ve yet to fathom during my stay in Trelawny.
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