The Jamaican Awareness of Mangroves in Nature (J.A.M.I.N.) program is an immersive and experiential educational initiative designed to engage high school students and teachers in the study, restoration, and monitoring of mangrove ecosystems. The program leverages evidence-based pedagogical approaches such as project-based learning, which enables students to investigate real-world challenges and develop in-depth knowledge over time, and place-based learning, which takes learners beyond the traditional classroom and into their surrounding natural environments, particularly local mangrove habitats.

The preservation of marine and terrestrial ecosystems is essential to the long-term success of the tourism industry—especially for Playa Hotels & Resorts, whose entire portfolio consists of properties located in coastal areas. As part of its sustainability commitment, Playa Hotels & Resorts collaborates with the Discovery Bay Marine Lab—a division of the University of the West Indies—to support the implementation of J.A.M.I.N. as a pilot initiative. The goal is to inspire collective action and foster collaboration among stakeholders, both within and beyond the tourism sector, across destination communities.

The inaugural J.A.M.I.N. event brought together 45 students from William Knibb Memorial High School for a comprehensive environmental education experience at Discovery Bay Marine Lab. The program featured a range of interactive activities, including educational workshops, field excursions, and hands-on mangrove planting. This initiative provided students with meaningful exposure to the ecological importance of mangroves, reinforcing their understanding of coastal conservation and environmental responsibility.

Since 2023, Playa Hotels & Resorts has supported the J.A.M.I.N. program as part of its Playa Cares Schools initiative, which aims to cultivate a culture of sustainability within local educational institutions. These schools serve as strategic platforms for engaging key stakeholders in the co-creation of more resilient and sustainable tourist destinations.

We are always seeking partners to expand the impact of our Playa Cares Initiatives in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. Through collaboration and sponsorship, we can amplify the reach of these programs and create lasting positive change in the communities where we operate.