Land Habitat
Mangrove conservation more critical than ever
(CNS): Month after month, wetlands are being lost across Grand Cayman paving the way for more and more development, despite the obvious and pressing need to stop removing them and, where possible, to start to replenish what has been lost. Though they were often seen in the past simply as a mosquito-breeding swamp, there is […]
DoE works with UK scientists on local biodiversity
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Department of Environment (DoE) will be leading a biodiversity strategy workshop this week in partnership with the UK’s Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) “to develop a unifying vision and strategic priorities for biodiversity in the UK Overseas Territories, including the Cayman Islands” according to a joint press release from the DoE […]
Turtle nesting season already breaking records
(CNS): Two months after the first turtle nest of the season was spotted on Cayman Brac, 2023 is already turning out to be a record year. The loggerhead turtle nest laid on 12 April has already hatched, with over 100 turtles making it out. Since then, another 165 nests have been counted across the islands […]
POF and CIS students fill up 18 bags of beach trash
(CNS): Grade 2 students from Cayman International School (CIS) took part in a beach clean-up at Safe Haven hosted by Protect Our Future (POF) last Thursday to mark World Oceans Day and to highlight the problem of single-use plastics in the Cayman Islands. As the country waits for the details of a proposed ban on eight […]
140 acres of mangrove at risk on CPA agenda
(CNS): Just four applications to be heard by the Central Planning Authority during a single meeting pose a threat to over 140 acres of mangroves, as development continues to take precedence over the environment. Despite being a protected species that mitigate the impact of climate change, the loss of mangrove forest continues in Cayman apace.
‘Charles’ the blue iguana released into the wild
(CNS): The National Trust for the Cayman Islands (NTCI) and Blue Iguana Conservation (BIC) have released a blue iguana named Charles into the Colliers Wilderness Reserve in East End. The endangered blue was set free just before the third annual International Blue Iguana Day when over 50 countries celebrate Grand Cayman’s endemic iguana.
Expert secures UK cash to conserve ghost orchid
(CNS): The critically endangered endemic ghost orchid has been given a fighting chance against extinction after local conservationist Christine Rose-Smyth, the former chair of the National Conservation Council, secured funding from the UK. A Darwin Plus Local grant will be used to develop an ex situ propagation programme for the ethereal and elusive orchid that […]
Student activists say road risks their future
(CNS): The youth-led environmental organisation Protect Our Future is urging government leaders to complete the environmental impact assessment on the East-West Arterial extension before moving forward. Cayman’s youngest environmental activists pointed out that this type of assessment ahead of development in sensitive areas is critical, and it will be their generation that reaps the consequences […]
NT warns of ‘catastrophic’ risks of EWA without EIA
(CNS): Calling on the government to continue with the environmental impact assessment for the whole of the East-West Arterial Road extension, the National Trust for the Cayman Islands has joined a number of non-profits warning of “catastrophic flooding of communities south of the road, the slow drying out of the mangroves to the north of […]
Final ToR guiding road EIA includes public views
(CNS): The final terms of reference (ToR) forming the basis for the increasingly controversial environmental impact assessment for the East-West Arterial extension have been published, and many of the public comments and questions submitted during the consultation process have been included. Some have also been taken on board as part of the final terms, including […]
Activists call on CIG not to stop road EIA
(CNS): A consortium of local environmental activists issued a statement Monday urging the Cayman Islands Government to follow the lawful and scientific process before starting work on the East-West Arterial extension. The six non-profit organisations raised numerous concerns about proposals by PACT to stop the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for part of the road.
