Science & Nature
All quiet in Atlantic as 2021 storm season opens
(CNS): Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center in Miami are predicting a 60% chance of an above-normal season for the Atlantic in 2021 with as many as 20 storms. But the experts do not anticipate the historic level of storm activity seen in 2020, which was the most active season in over 170 years. The veteran […]
West Bayers fear loss of Barkers Beach
(CNS): Local non-profit groups, conservation advocates and activists in West Bay and beyond are joining forces to mount a focused campaign to save Barkers Beach and secure the location as a formally protected national park before the area is developed. Fears are mounting as development around the much loved natural beauty spot gathers pace and […]
WB wetlands immersed in plastic pollution
(CNS): Local activists are raising the alarm about pollution in the West Bay wetland area after they discovered this weekend just how much plastic is finding its way into the remaining mangroves in the Safehaven area. Plastic Free Cayman, which organised the clean-up to mark World Biodiversity Day on Sunday, were joined by volunteers from […]
Plant thieves steal rare orchid from Botanic Park
(CNS): Two chocolate orchid (Encyclia phoenicia) plants have been stolen from the Orchid Boardwalk at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, one of several thefts from the gardens this year, according to General Manager John Lawrus. Horticultural Manager Nick Johnson said he was saddened by the loss of the beautiful plants, named for its strong […]
CCMI opens summer scholarships to local students
(CNS): The Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) is offering six scholarships for selected local students to attend a two-month intensive Young Environmentalist Leadership Course (YELC) this summer to help train young Caymanians to be skilled and enthusiastic environmental ambassadors. The programme, which is now in its tenth year, was created to provide an opportunity for […]
NHC begins early tropical outlooks
(CNS): With Tropical Storms now regularly forming before the official 1 June start date for the annual Atlantic hurricane season, the National Hurricane Center in Miami has begun issuing early tropical weather outlook bulletins to make sure it is not caught out. There have been pre-season storms every year for the last six, but now, […]
Iconic blues get their own international day
(CNS): The endangered blue iguanas now have their own annual international day, even though they exist in the wild only in the Cayman Islands. The bid to put this iconic reptile on the world stage follows international efforts over the years that have contributed toward bringing this species back from the brink of extinction. The […]
Hospital invests over $2M in new green initiatives
(CNS): The Health Services Authority (HSA) plans to spend between CI$1.8 and $2 million on green investments in order to reduce its annual operating costs and its carbon footprint. Officials said they expect to lower utility bills by around $360,000 and be more sustainable by investing in modern energy saving technologies.
Unlawful mangrove clearance under DPP investigation
(CNS): The Department of Environment has stated that it is investigating the unlawful clearance of mangroves in Red Bay with the help of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and is recommending that an application being made by the landscaping company that did the clearing for after-the-fact permission be held in abeyance until […]
Forest fire kills off 26% of endemic ‘Old George’
(CNS): More than a quarter of the endemic and critically endangered ‘Old George’ (Wittmackia caymanensis), a type of bromeliad plant, was destroyed in the March brush fire at the Ironwood Forest in George Town, the Department of Environment has revealed. Writing in the latest edition of the department’s bi-monthly magazine, Flicker, Jane Haakonsson, the editor […]
Regal Beach placing hope in seawall
(CNS): One of several luxury condo complexes on Seven Mile Beach facing significant beach erosion is placing hope in a new seawall, even though it is very unlikely to help. Work at the Regal Beach Club had begun using debris from the original wall, which was damaged by last year’s storms, as the base for […]
