Conservation for people as well as wildlife
Ghost orchid in the Ironwood Forest in George Town
(CNS): Fred Burton, the head of the Terrestrial Research Unit at the Department of Environment, is urging the public to join in the current public consultations on the latest sites proposed as areas for permanent conservation across the Cayman Islands. Burton said that creating protected areas is not just about the animal and plant species but is for the people as well. He said it was really important that the community let their feelings be known about the sites proposed for protection and to also tell the DoE about the places they think should be conserved in future.
“These protected areas aren’t just about the wildlife; it’s about protecting areas for the people,” he said. “We are interested in the areas being places that people can visit in most cases, so the public has an important role in the decision-making process and we want them to consider and submit their own proposals as well.”
The latest round of public consultations began in May and will last until August, providing people with plenty of time to take the surveys and offer any comments to the DoE about the unique locations across all three islands that have been selected for legal protection under the conservation law for future generations to enjoy.
“The islands are developing extremely rapidly,” Burton told CNS this week, after the latest general meeting of the National Conservation Council. “If we don’t do anything about it soon, large parts of the island will be sub-divisions and roads and we won’t have anywhere wild left to go. If we want to hang on to the unique natural identity of the Cayman Islands, we need the public to support the protected areas. We all want places where we will still be able to see our endemic wildlife, including parrots and orchids.”
Burton explained how natural environments enhance our quality of life, and the more developed a place becomes, the more necessary to preserve some land in its natural state. He pointed to Central Park in New York and its huge significance to everyone that lives in the city, and how necessary that wild space has become.
The public is asked to take a close look at the ten latest proposed sites and take the survey, as well as make suggestions for the next round of protected areas to keep the process of conservation moving forward.
See more details on the DoE site here
Category: Land Habitat, Science & Nature
The little green oasis of the botanical park will be all that’s left in the future
This island needs better protection for everything. From vegetation to animals to emissions to fishing. There is really nothing stopping people from destroying this place.
Well that’s what happens when you want development.
Beautifully written. Bravo ????
I think that Mr Burton is telling everyone to wake up and get involved in making sure that natural habitats are preserved for future generations. Because if you don’t , these happy happy greedy greedy development politicians will allow every sq inch of the Islands to be developed. Then who will you blame when there’s nowhere for you to enjoy a nice peaceful walk in the nature, and where will you be able to enjoy a day to picnic with your family .
I will also say that everyone needs to wake up and see what these politicians are doing to you and the Island , and we need to forget about voting for them “JUST BECAUSE” all they ever need and want from you is your vote to get them elected , and to hell with you after is how I see them acting towards some Citizens of the Islands.
Once upon a time in a far away place, forgotten through the eons of human experience, a dart was aimed at the heart of a fledgling people.
Some people embraced the dart whilst others perceived its sinister trajectory.
Alas, the day came that the leaders of the fledgling people sold their birthright to the piercing projectile.
Chaos ensued and unrighteousness prevailed. “Superior” foreign values imposed on clean simpletons introduced poison.
The fledgling people became slaves and the vision of their forefathers died in despair, fear, hunger and the need for a bed.
But it is not all bad news, it must be said. The cry of the fledglings came into the ear of their mother the sea.
All was put to right as I am sure you will see.
Anonymous 7:31pm , you’re wasting your good poetry talent here , you need to find a good place to write it . But i believe every word you said .
It was nothing really. I wrote from a vision the Lord gave me.
Everything will be fine. God is good and looks after His children.
Do not compromise your integrity and be kind and straight even to those who hate you.
Peace to everyone with a clean heart and mercy to those without.
We are the generation who will see darkness exposed by light.
I think the same to all the christians I work with who hate everybody not like them.
This is written on our spiritual grave stones that we have sold, with a smile! The Cayman Product is so fake! We are want -to -bee’s following want-to-bee’s.
While we are it too, we should ensure sites are protected from the wealthy. It appears a different set of rules apply to the poor whilst the rich gets away with concreting or paving the islands I.e. north side irons shore and the Kuboh festival on west bay road.
Anonymous 7:05pm , when we talk about PROTECTION /PRESERVATION of anything , we don’t just talk about protecting it from the WEALTH , WE need to be protecting from anyone even the politicians /government that they can’t do anything with it . My point here is when I say we the people want this thing/area/land protected , we the people can say we wants it to be protected this way . But WE THE PEOPLE isn’t two or three of US , it’s the bigger majority of US the people . Tell Mr Burton this is how we want these areas /things protected .
Now that we have recently decided on the local (Brac) name for the plant “Sybil”, are we still going to follow through with giving The Hon. Sybil McLaugin (GC) and Mrs. Sybil Jackson, framed pictures of the plant, each with an engraved label?
I have suggested a competition (art, poetry, essay, music) to feature the plant, “Sybil”, along with the story of both our Sybils – their story and contribution to their islands and country. Let’s get going.
David “Benjy” Holmes
former teacher, CBHS and Creek Primary
Amazed that some people could “thumbs down” this project. What’s wrong with it?