Thu | Oct 2, 2025

Forestry CEO dedicates surprise national honour to late mother

Published:Thursday | October 2, 2025 | 12:08 AM
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Conservator of Forests at the Forestry Department, Ainsley Henry.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Conservator of Forests at the Forestry Department, Ainsley Henry.
CEO of the Forestry Department, and Conservator of Forests, Ainsley Henry (left), plants a tree with the help of grade four student at St John’s Preparatory School in Ocho Rios, St Ann, André Green, at Lydford Beulah Park Great House in the parish last
CEO of the Forestry Department, and Conservator of Forests, Ainsley Henry (left), plants a tree with the help of grade four student at St John’s Preparatory School in Ocho Rios, St Ann, André Green, at Lydford Beulah Park Great House in the parish last Friday to mark National Tree Planting Day.
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Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Conservator of Forests at the Forestry Department, Ainsley Henry, was in the midst of a team-building exercise when he received the unexpected call informing him of his selection for the Order of Distinction (Officer Class) [O.D.] this year.

Surrounded by the very colleagues who help advance Jamaica’s environmental mission, the moment was charged with surprise and emotion for him.

Amid the noise and disbelief, one thought rose above all others: “This would have made my mother proud.”

Henry will be formally conferred with the O.D. for his exemplary service in Environmental Management, Forestry Conservation, and Sustainable Development on National Heroes Day, Monday, October 20, during the Investiture Ceremony at King’s House.

The award marks more than a professional milestone for Henry – it stands as a deeply personal tribute.

He says that his late mother, a former civil servant, instilled in him a deep respect for public service and a tireless work ethic.

“She never complained. She worked hard. She did her best at all times. There was never a time when there was something to be done that she thought – ‘I’ll just leave it for someone else’. It was always – ‘let’s see how best we can get this done and get it done quickly’,” the CEO shared.

Born and raised in Linstead, St. Catherine, Henry’s journey to national recognition is grounded in the values and resilience shaped by his rural upbringing.

“I’m a country boy, and so the environment has always been close and near and dear to me. When I was in high school, I was watching a documentary on TV and I saw the amount of damage that humans were doing to the planet. I thought to myself that this was something that I was going to have to try and change, something that I was going to have to try and make a difference in,” he recalls.

CHALLENGES AHEAD

Henry holds a B.Sc. in botany and zoology with emphasis on Ecology, and a M. Phil in Environmental Biology, from his study on mangroves in St. Thomas, both from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona.

He began his journey in environmental management as an intern at the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) – now the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) – an experience that firmly set his course in the field.

After nearly two decades of service at NEPA, and a stint at The UWI contributing to the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR) – a regional initiative spanning six countries including Jamaica, Henry joined the Forestry Department in November 2020.

One of his earliest challenges at the Forestry Department was reviving the National Tree Planting Initiative, which had been stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under his leadership, the programme was successfully reactivated, resulting in the planting of three million trees islandwide – a powerful reaffirmation of the Government’s commitment to climate action and national reforestation goals.

Though proud of the achievement, Henry remains clear-eyed about the challenges ahead.

A 2023 land-use assessment revealed that while Jamaica’s forest cover has increased by 7.8 per cent, the quality of forests has declined — particularly closed broadleaf forests.

“There’s a lot to do to ensure that we anchor sufficient amounts of our primary forests and give them the amount of protection that they need. It is not just for the sake of protection or conservation, it is for the values and functions and the benefits that it provides to Jamaica,” Mr. Henry states.

He believes the path forward lies in strengthening policy frameworks, deepening public engagement, and advancing more sustainable approaches to urban planning.

The CEO envisions a Jamaica where cities are graced with tree-lined streets, culturally significant trees are safeguarded by law, and urban development unfolds in harmony with nature—not in conflict with it.

“The environment by itself does not require management. It is the interaction of people and their environment that requires management. So, it is by educating people that we will get to the point where environmental management and environmental sustainability is something that we achieve,” he notes.

HEARTFELT GRATITUDE

Henry expresses heartfelt gratitude to his mentor, Ambassador Professor Dale Webber, whose enduring support, friendship, and guidance have helped shape his journey over the years.

“I also credit St. Jago High School for helping to instil in me the work ethic and the drive to be the best at whatever it is that I am doing,” he further shares.

For young Jamaicans considering a career in environmental science or policy, Henry’s message is clear: read, learn as much as you can and be open-minded.

“Always remember that everything is connected and that there are undoubtedly more than one ways to get things done. So you must always try, work hard, and keep the bigger picture in mind. And the bigger picture is always that we create a society that is not [only] just, fair and prosperous, but one that is resilient and one that is in harmony with nature,” he emphasises.

The CEO says, if granted unlimited authority or resources, he would channel development into areas where it yields the greatest positive impact while minimising environmental harm.

An avid hiker, Henry shares that he would prioritise expanding opportunities for meaningful interaction between people and nature to enhance individuals’ appreciation and understanding.

JIS