Causes That We Support

The Wattle and Red Earth (WARE) Collective is a nonprofit organization that advocates for and seeks to preserve Jamaica’s built heritage. The work of the WARE Collective is rooted in St. Elizabeth and is a catalyst for future work in various forms across the nation. Because southeastern St. Elizabeth has locale-specific construction technologies and culturally specific art - unique to Jamaica - that are on the verge of being forgotten, the WARE Collective feels it is imperative to preserve and pass on this knowledge to current and future generations. One example is one type construction technology of the original residences of Jamaica - limestone, red earth in a timber frame (Spanish wall construction), and the burning of lime kilns - has given way to con- temporary concrete building construction in this region. The abandonment of Jamaica’s vernacular architectural history due to lack of care or resources is an active destruction of indigenous structures and crafts that could positively impact the country’s national development. Preservation of sustainable practices that could be modernized to meet current and future needs would benefit all the people of Jamaica. In addition to construction technology, the art, and craft of everyday items such as sisal weaving, thatch weaving, wattling, and basketry are communal craft forms that span over 200 years.

To address these issues - The WARE Collective’s mission is to promote the preservation and appreciation of historic structures, traditional building methods, and art forms through the core values of Advocacy, Education, Responsible stewardship, and Sustainable development.