Land Habitat
National Trust asks the public to help direct its work
(CNS): The National Trust for the Cayman Islands (NTCI) has launched an online survey to better understand which environmental and conservation issues matter most to the community and where it should focus its work. Development and climate change are increasing the pressure on Cayman’s natural resources, but while the Trust currently protects 3,571 acres at […]
DoE promotes need for science in managing environment
(CNS): The three Cayman Islands have the largest remaining active Nassau grouper spawning aggregation site in the region. They also have an increasing nesting population of wild sea turtles and have brought the iconic blue iguana back from the brink of extinction. All of this and more has been achieved because of science-based decisions.
Ministry plants 710 trees as 100s more lost to development
(CNS): The sustainability ministry has planted 710 native and endemic trees on the grounds of government primary schools and public spaces across the islands since the National Tree Planting Programme started three years ago. But over the same period, hundreds more trees have been lost to development, including mature trees that have been cleared from […]
Premier misleads public over purchase of Brac beach
(CNS): Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly misled the public last week when she told parliament that the Department of Environment had objected to the Cayman Islands Government using the Environmental Protection Fund to purchase Long Beach on Cayman Brac. The DoE is seeking a correction to the record as it has repeatedly advocated on behalf of the […]
NCC scientist asks where balance is in NCA changes
(CNS): The balance between development and the need to protect the environment will be impossible to achieve if the proposed amendments to the National Conservation Act pass, according to a member of the National Conservation Council appointed for her scientific expertise. Lisa-Ann Hurlston-McKenzie, a sustainability and climate professional, has asked where that balance will come […]
CCMI alarmed by UPM attack on conservation
(CNS): The Central Caribbean Marine Institute, a non-profit conservation and research facility on Little Cayman, has said the proposed changes to the National Conservation Act could have “catastrophic and destructive implications for the environment”. CCMI said in a release that the amendment bill paves the way for Cabinet “to make irresponsible decisions regarding environmental health […]
NCC fights efforts to gut conservation law
(CNS): There are no cogent, compelling or factual justifications for the government to change the National Conservation Act, according to National Conservation Council Chair Stuart Mailer. Members of the NCC were not consulted or told about the draft amendment bill published by the minority UPM government on New Year’s Eve.
Controlling invasive species helps Little Cayman flourish
(CNS): After a steep decline in the population of the unique and endangered Sister Islands rock iguana, they and other indigenous species are thriving again on Little Cayman due to the work done by the Department of Environment to control invasive species. The island was once an untouched haven for native species and virgin habitat, […]
Minister claims to be ‘inclusive’ over changes to NCA
(CNS): More than two weeks after the Ministry of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency gazetted the National Conservation Amendment Bill and began a public consultation, which will close in less than two weeks, Dwayne Seymour, the minister responsible, has claimed that the process represents “inclusive and transparent governance”.
National Trust alarmed by proposed NCA changes
(CNS): The National Trust for the Cayman Islands has raised the alarm about the UPM minority government’s attempts to gut the National Conservation Act. The local non-profit organisation, which is required by law to provide advice, information and assistance to the government on matters that affect the natural and built heritage of the Cayman Islands, […]
Scientists not consulted over conservation law changes
(CNS): The minority UPM government did not consult scientists or technical experts at the Department of Environment when it drafted the controversial amendments to the National Conservation Act. Since publishing the amendment bill, there has been no comment from the sustainability minister, senior ministry officials or the premier on the proposed changes, the justification for […]
