I believe that heritage education chose me, and not vice versa. Ever since I can remember I’ve had a love for travel, exploration, and nature. In 1988 this led me to pursue a degree in Geography while at the University of the West Indies, Mona where I joined the camera club. Ever since, both passions have been inseparably entwined in my life.

The remains of a windmill which was used to grind sugar cane during slavery in Old Pera, St. Thomas, Jamaica. This location is an ideal location for cultural heritage tourism that could lead to the development of this rural community.

This led me to documenting environmental issues and aspects of Jamaica’s natural and cultural heritage which many people did not know existed. In order to increase my odds of having my work published I started writing which led to a career in journalism and then to teaching. It’s a natural progression from being a university lecturer to undertaking research. Hence my current interest in heritage education.

Conservation Journalism
However, the fact is that even before commencing my PhD, I incorporated aspects of heritage education in my journalism and my teaching. At The Gleaner newspaper, I initiated the “Paradise in Peril” series which showcased Jamaica’s protected natural sites such as the Pedro & Morant Cays, the Cockpit Country, the Black River Morass, the Portland Bight and the Blue & John Crow Mountains.

“Paradise in Peril” feature in on The Portland Bight protected area in The Gleaner newspaper dated January 20, 2004.

As an educator – either while conducting private workshops or lecturing at various tertiary institutions – field trips to natural and cultural sites were always a feature of my photography classes. While at the Northern Caribbean University I took my students to the Black River Morass, at the Edna Manley College of the Visual & Performing Arts students were immersed in the natural and cultural heritage of the Buff Bay Valley, and at the University of Technology, Jamaica students documented the natural and cultural heritage of Portland, St. Mary and Clarendon. In fact this resulted in me being featured with my students in an episode of the French travel series, Échappées belles in 2022.

All of this has led me to where I am now – combining my passions for exploring and photographing Jamaica’s unique natural and cultural heritage with the desire to share this knowledge with my fellow Jamaicans. Hopefully we may use this wealth to develop our country in a sustainable and equitable way.