Ministry plans to plant 1,330 trees for Jubilee
Members of the National Tree Planting Advisory Committee at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park; the Committee includes representatives of the Cayman Islands Government, National Trust for the Cayman Islands, Caribbean Blooms, Cayman Nature, and the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. 
Close-up of a Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) tree blossom (photo by Nick Johnson)
(CNS): The Ministry of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency is launching a national tree-planting project to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations this year and benefit future generations. The goal is to plant 70 trees in each of the constituencies across all three islands, including 70 mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) selected by Premier Wayne Panton.
The ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’ initiative is Cayman’s contribution to the Queen’s Green Canopy project.
“Mahogany is an incredibly important tree in terms of its deep cultural and historical significance to the Cayman Islands,” said Panton, who also has responsibility for the new sustainability portfolio. “It was a natural choice to celebrate Her Majesty’s enduring legacy while fostering connection between our community and our natural environment.
“To plant 1,330 trees across our islands is a big goal but I know we can achieve it by working together. From schools to church groups to service clubs and corporate green teams, everyone can get involved in this earth-saving project and help green Cayman.”
By focusing on native and endemic plants with cultural significance — like mahogany, which is easily propagated from seed, cabbage (Guapira discolor), strawberry (Eugenia axillaris) and Cayman sage (Salvia caymanensis) — the Queen’s Jubilee tree-planting will support local biodiversity, enhance community well-being and combat climate change.
Jennifer Ahearn, the chief officer in the premier’s ministry, said the project supports a number of objectives outlined in the government’s Strategic Policy Statement.
“Trees are remarkable allies to our efforts to create a more sustainable and climate-resilient Cayman Islands,” Ahearn said. “Trees improve our physical environments, sequester carbon, provide important ecosystem services that support biodiversity, enhance community well-being and, in the case of fruit-bearing trees, even support increased local food security.”
The ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’ initiative will run throughout this year and all the trees planted over will be registered on a digital map and presented to the Queen as part of the Green Canopy initiative.
Individuals, schools, constituencies and corporations are all encouraged to get involved with the project. The government is collaborating with various organisations to secure seeds and saplings free of charge for schools, parks and other places of community significance, including the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, Caribbean Blooms, the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and the Department of Agriculture.
A number of local nurseries have also pledged to donate trees or provide discounts in support of the programme. Ahearn said this support spoke volumes about the importance of trees to everyone in the community.
A committee, led by Senior Policy Advisor Kristen Smith, has been established and the members have already been working behind the scenes for the past few months to help turn this idea into a reality.
“We are grateful and inspired by the support and look forward to seeing these seeds of change take root and flourish,” said Ahearn.
Local schools and non-profit organisations can contact the ministry at treeplanting@gov.ky to learn more about requesting trees or seeds.
Individuals or organisations with trees to spare are encouraged to consider donating trees by emailing treeplanting@gov.ky and the ministry will then connect donors with local schools and non-profit organisations in need of trees.
A new website and social media pages have been established to provide regular project updates and planting tips. The webiste provides information on how to get involved, register your tree planting, donate a tree or nominate a tree.
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Category: Land Habitat, Science & Nature
Sooooo until it turned into a concrete jungle…. there were trees… Now that over development has occurred….Ahhhhh we needs some trees here… So when they want to develop where trees have been planted… Guess they will rip them out as they need without any repercussions…
This is smoke and mirrors…. 1300 tress? That’s a grass piece in any district… come on man! Who unna foolin’? Last week you were setting the stage for the bungalow over water in the marine park in LilCay and this week you planting trees? Seriously?
Only more trees for CUC to butcher
When I went to school in Cayman in the 60s and 70s, we celebrated Arbor Day. Trees were planted but not for any “special jubilee”. Just because it was a wise thing to do.
Why doesn’t Cayman celebrate Arbor Day anymore? I guess just like many of our lifestyle changes since those days, we’ve gone backwards!!
You mean the trees were planted for the Arbor Day, a special holiday.
15 @ 3:46 pm – Arbor Day was never a holiday or “special holiday” in Cayman. My post didn’t suggest it was. I commented that Arbor Day was not a special jubilee. It was simply a day when planting tees was the celebration itself.
I believe it’s still celebrated somewhere.
Arbor Day? Do you not see the construction boom on this island that is still on lockdown. You think investors give a hoot about Cayman trees? Christ you dont even see rats running cross our roads anymore.
You are invited to celebrate Arbor Day with the National Trust for this coming year as we have done for the past 5 years
15 @ 3:46 pm – Arbor Day was never a holiday or “special holiday” in Cayman. My post didn’t suggest it was. I commented that Arbor Day was not a special jubilee. It was simply a day when planting tees was the celebration itself.
I believe it’s still celebrated somewhere.
We actually do celebrate Arbor day at the National Trust every year. A special tree is designated to represent ecological sustainability and cultural significance. 2021 was Parrot Berry.
Joanne Mercille – Thanks for the information and enlightenment. However, who knew? So much for National Trust’s PR program!
However, perhaps I need to clarify my point. Teaching the value of tree-planting in schools as it was done in the 60s & 70s, would be much more effective than the under-published initiative of the NT (though appreciated). Like anything else, teaching good practices to impressionable youth should have lifetime effect. Inviting people to join a relatively new (and long-forgotten) initiative – not so much.
Joanne, my special tree every year is Parrot Carambola, the parrots strip all the fruit and leave us with a bunch of leaves.
So …….will this number of trees be enough to reverse the carbon emitted for the air show and the fireworks? I think not!
Great idea but lets do more trees and cancel these ridiculous events which are damaging the environment.
So, not an even count of 2,000 or 1,500, but 1,330…why that number? A Senior Policy Advisor has been working on this perfunctory Queen’s Jubilee planting for months?!?
12:34 pm instead of trying to make someone else look silly you should ask yourself why you are the only one who can’t understand the significance of 1,330 explained in the very first paragraph.
Planting shade trees is a foreign concept in the Cayman Islands, it is far more popular to cut them down for development.Just look at many capitals around the world which have tree lined roads and avenues,which make such a difference to lifestyle. Our capital is a concrete jungle and so far not one new shade tree from our “expert” town planner.
When we go independent we will be the only country with a bulldozer on the flag.
And the only people who won’t be starving will be the politicians who pushed for independence.
This is laughable, considering the scorched earth policy implemented by developers here since the 60’s. Planted 10s of thousands of cubic yards of concrete in 50 years now a push to replant a poultry 70 trees per district. This is something to celebrate?
Are those chicken trees?
Why not plant trees that bear fruits so we can eat?
Because the chickens and iguanas destroy them all
Go ahead and do so. They basically said that same thing.
It seems most of the UK tax payers dont have much common sense
So Wayne planting tree while Jay tears them down…..sounds like a plan lmao
If they plant them (and I am ALL FOR THAT)… can they do the planting during rainy season AND in addition, ensure that there is a prescribed follow-up watering programme that regularly waters the plants, so that they actually survive.
Otherwise, 85% plus will just die.,..as happens every other time a tree planting campaign is launched.
We need more trees in the Cayman Isnads for shade, for the environment and for our enjoyment.
Coconut palms are not trees and give little or no shade…!
My palms give lots of shade, otherwise we agree.
This is just about planting the trees and looking good. The trees will last longer than the looking good and your right. Most will just die of neglect. No one expects more from these people who spend your money.
Cabbage? Strawberry?
Guapira discolor is a Blolly shrub. Could be considered a small tree, I guess.
Eugenia axillaris is a White Stopper bush. Makes a good hedge.
I have no problem with either of these, but it’s a stretch to call them “trees”.
Lovely idea but why stop there?
I’m all for this, but 1000? That’s the same as nothing in forestry terms. How about 10,000? Put them everywhere someone will let you.
Diversity of trees, large and small
At the rate this government is authorizing development, all these trees will have to be planted in concrete. There won’t be any green space left.
1330 trees!!! Read the article, they are seeds and saplings….anyone with any sense knows that these little things will require ALOT of care for ALOT of time….who will be watering these trees (multiple times EVERY day for WEEKS) until they are safely rooted? And who will pay for all that water?
Not as if they are planning to plant a forest geez.
They are asking the public to take responsibility for “a” tree. We (those who find this initiative positive) will each plant one tree in our yards or schools or community groups will do it and WE will take responsibility for the trees we plant.
It’s not that hard to understand.
And if you don’t want to do it and help save the planet then that’s ok. If you can afford to water a plant then that’s ok. Why put a negative spin on something positive?
Just can’t understand why everyone seems to be an internet troll these days.
Cyan win fah losin, cha!
I thnk the point is they could have easily aimed for more.
No, that was not what they were trying to say. What they did say, quite clearly, was “who will be watering these trees … And who will pay for all that water?” Negativism at its best.
Read the post at 3:18 pm again. The poster is criticising the initiative insinuating that the CIG is wasting money i.e. “who will pay for all that water?”
But the initiative is a community one being encouraged by the government which is asking its PEOPLE to step up and help them to plant trees and care for them.
I agree some may fall to the wayside but what if we can get more than 1330 trees planted and cared for? Isn’t that a good thing? Can’t we do something positive? Can’t we take on a bit of community responsibility?
I just wish people would STOP making everything a political issue and see the good in something for once!
I will be planting a tree in memory of a loved one…it will be MY project and MY responsibility, maybe if we all thought of it this way it wouldn’t be seen as a negative thing that CIG is doing just for points. MAYBE it can actually be an amazing thing if WE ALL just helped them out to achieve it and the COUNTRY can then be proud of itself/ourselves.
You might even try for more than one. This venture is piddling.
No one is stopping you
Too bad the minster of planning didn’t save a few native trees in North Side for the low income home development. All that was saved was great silver thatch. The existing ‘bush’ could have helped the low income earners save on the Cuc bills….planning for what…what a joke. Shame on government. Right at the same time as this. Makes me sick. What’s next tear down carol winker house for a construction manager…
Not moved or impressed by this, maybe if it was 700 or 7000 it might make a dent but 70 is just lip service.
Makes for another good photo op for pen draggers and waffle agents though.
I believe in St Lucia they plant a tree whenever a child is born. Would be a good idea to start the tradition here, even if just a coconut palm.
…great idea…
but technically, a coconut palm is a grass not a tree….
but still, a great idea….
Re 2:27 pm Yes! plant a tree every time a child is born, and every time a new Caymanian is created.
Plant a tree every time a work permit is granted!
We could plant one for every burglary, rape, stabbing or murder !!
Can we please have some shade trees in George Town, particularly in Heroes Square and Cardinal Avenue. A few seats would not go amiss either. If you want to attract visitors you will need public toilets as well. Some drinking fountains would be useful.
If the beautification of George Town is to continue get rid of those ghastly sheds on Albert Panton Street.
Some shade down by the fish market for the good fishermen would be good too.
Now that’s some real shade….hopefully the ‘owner’ gets it!
Those guys need to go. And whoever tagged trump on the wall behind them should be charged.
Yes good idea but the fishmongers are too lazy to do it. We
Watch out insulting fishermen. You might not like the consequences. Doubt you are Caymanian.
Yeah, they might slap you with a mullet.
The whole place is a blot on the landscape and the crap thereon stops ordinary folk from swimming. Government should move the fishmongers to the land they bought from Ernie Smatts
Maybe they could put back some of the ones PWD just cut down in Scholars park?
I wonder how many thousands of trees that were already here will be torn down in that same time?
How many trees have been torn down in the last two years alone with all this ridiculous construction ?
So, adding 1,330 preferred specie trees against how many natural habitats being cut down per year? Is there anyone counting the other side of the equation? Wouldn’t it be easier to make it more difficult for developers to clearcut lots of thousands of existing trees that are already thickly rooted and supporting natural ecosystems, than partially artificially re-gardening with contrition after-the-fact? If the goal is really carbon sequestering as stated.
Yep, my thoughts exactly!
A referendum on independence v King Charles and Queen Camila
Not my bosses.
1.10pm You are true to your heritage, before making absurd comments, please turn your attention to spelling.
Why not plant the trees for a worthy cause? Here, it’s dressed up as recognition to one of the biggest scroungers on the planet, where do the Monarchy get all their money from?
Well you def do not contribute to the cost if the monarchy. It is borne by U.K. taxpayers. If they are not complaining why should you!
We are.
I was once a UK tax payer, one of the main reasons I left.
2:32 Complainers complain, it is what they do. Doesn’t have to be reasonable, relevant or logical.