Science and Nature
1 in 4 mamals face extinction
(TImes Online): One in four of the world’s mammals is threatened with extinction and half are in decline, the most comprehensive assessment so far has found. Scientists who carried out the five-year survey of the 5,487 known mammal species described their findings that 1,139 face dying out as “bleak and depressing” and said that it was likely to get worse. Go to article.
Health facilities ready
(CNS): In a message to mark the World Health Organization’s International Day for Disaster Reduction, today 6 October, the Minister for Health and Human Services, Anthony Eden said that Cayman’s hospitals and healthcare systems are able to respond to any disaster orcrisis scenario, natural or manmade.
The World Disaster Reduction Campaign for 2008-2009 focuses on making "Hospitals Safe from Disasters" and the minister said that the importance of hospitals and health facilities extends beyond the direct life-saving role they play.
“They are also powerful symbols of social progress and a prerequisite for social stability and economic development, “he said. “Hospitals and health facilities need to remain functional during disasters. The human cost of a possible hospital failure is made very clear in the aftermath of disasters, when the immediate focus is on fatalities, search and rescue, and the need to tend to the injured. “
He added that being aware of their importance the Cayman Islands government has taken measures to ensure the resilience of the local healthcare system.
“Public and private sector coordinate resources, personnel and efforts to ensure a coordinated national medical response to needs which arise in the event of a natural disaster,” the Minister explained. “Steps have also been taken to enhance the capabilities of the Cayman Islands Hospital, being the major healthcare facility on the island. Recently a mobile Disaster Response Unit was purchased to increase the capability of the medical team to set up a mobile medical facility at the scene of any disaster, and render vitally necessary medical care onsite, reducing the need to transfer to the hospital, thereby potentially saving valuable time and precious lives.”
He said the hospital now has flood barriers to protect the main generator to ensure continuity of electrical supply and medical care in the event of a loss of power as occurred during hurricane Ivan.
“Everyone will remember that in spite of the significant toll exacted by Hurricane Ivan on our infrastructure, the two main hospitals and for the most part many of our private sector healthcare facilities withstood the worst of the devastating effects,” Eden added. “As Minister of Health, I assure you that we are doing our part to make our hospitals safe from disasters, and commend all those who work to make them so.”
Cayman to clean house
(CNS): Everyone is being asked to pitch in and clean up over the next few weeks as the Cayman Islands Beautification Committee launches its second annual October Beautification Month. Chairperson Heather Bodden said that sprucing up now prepares the Islands for end-of-year events, such as Pirates Week, Jazz Fest and Christmas, as well as presenting the best possible image for Cayman as the busy tourist season approaches.
“The Committee wants all residents to take note of Beautification Month’s Aims and Objectives, clean up their yards, and join a neighbourhood project to improve the appearance of a community area,’ she added.
Bodden said that every household should own proper and sufficient garbage cans in which to place securely bagged garbage. While it’s okay to use plastic grocery bags, leaving them unsecured on the roadside is a no-no and she said garbage cans and bins should be an enclosed or fenced unit
Debris collection throughout all the Districts will be scheduled in conjunction with the DoEH and the Cayman Islands Beautification Committee will place receptacles with covered garbage bins throughout all the Districts at specific locations and on 20 October all bulk waste/debris left by the roadside will be collected.
The Committee also encourages all other organizations to plan and carry out special cleanup and beautification activities throughout the month of October.Individuals in each District are encouraged to team up, clean up and beautify specific areas within their own neighbourhoods and communities.
“Everyone is encouraged to take pride in their own surroundings and therefore show that true ownership is not just owning something but taking care of it in the best way possible,” said Bodden.
Schools and youth organizations are also being encouraged to organize and participate in clean-up and beautification activities.
No room for eco objectors
(CNS): The recent planning meeting to hear the application of Lorenzo Berry as White Rock Investments (WRI) to quarry the Lower Valley Beach Bay forest revealed that there is no room for private citizens to object to planning applications that threaten the local environmental resources, including critically endangered species of endemic and native flora and fauna.
The only people, according to the law, allowed to object in person at planning meetings are those who live or own property within a 1500-foot radius of the planned development. However, according to the Department of the Environment (DoE), it has submitted a number of recommendations to the Central Planning Authority for consideration on various occasions where environmental issues have arisen as a result of a proposed development.
“We have provided advice to the CPA on a number of occasions and they have acted on that advice in the past,” said the Director of DoE, Gina Ebanks-Petrie. Without the National Conservation Law on the statute books, however, she did confirm that there is no legal requirement by the CPA to consider points raised by the DoE.
The problem of objections with regard to environmental and ecological issues was caused after the Planning Law was changed in the late 1990s, at the behest of a major developer who was facing island-wide objections over the removal of mangroves. Since the change in the law to limit objectors, only those within the stipulated objection zone can attend meetings. Concerned citizens and people who want to see their local natural resources protected have no real form of redress other than to rise up and make their feelings known in public forums, as was the case with the recent campaign to save the Ironwood Forest in George Town.
While the country waits for the Minister with responsibility for the Environment, Charles Clifford, to table the proposed National Conservation Bill, which will force environmental considerations into law, the fate of endangered species, such as the White-shouldered Bat and other flora and fauna at risk of planned development, is in the hands of the CPA. The law has been waiting in the wings for two years, and the minister has said on numerous occasions that the bill was due to be tabled in each parliamentary session that has come and gone. In his last comment regarding the bill, he said it would be brought tot he Legislative Assembly for vote in October.
The forest which Berry plans to level from its current height of around 30 feet to about ten is believed to be home not only to the White-shouldered Bat, which is almost extinct in Cayman, but also the banana orchid and the ironwood, broadleaf and silver thatch trees. There are at least 50 and possibly more red-listed species in a slice of local forest environment which is fast disappearing.
Yesterday Jean Ebanks, one of the residents in Mahogany Estates, who noted that many local residents purchased their properties because of the proximity to the forest and the natural landscape it provides, said she was hopeful that despite there being no actual environmental law yet, the CPA was wise enough to acknowledge the importance of DoE advice.
CCMI Festival of Trees
(CNS): A fundraising event to benefit efforts to sustain the biodiversity of Cayman’s coral reefs, has become a premier event to kick off the festive season. The fourth annual Dinner and Live Auction for the 2008 Festival of Trees will take place on Friday, 21 November, at Ristorante Pappagallo.
As with previous years, the Central Caribbean Marine Institute 2008 Festival of Trees dinner and live auction will include a varied display of beautifully decorated Christmas Trees and Holiday Wreaths adorned with exciting gift packages. Each tree and wreath will be auctioned off and delivered to the home or business of the winning bidder, according to CCMI.
The evening begins with an elegant champagne reception, followed by dinner with wine. The highlight of the night will feature the live auction of the Christmas trees and wreaths, presenting the opportunity for everyone to bring home the season’s best gifts from Cayman’s most popular retailers and restaurants.
“Once again we are pleased to present a celebratory night in support of the ongoing work of CCMI,” said Vico Testori, owner of Ristorante Pappagallo. “The Festival of Trees is a great event to spend time with friends, have fun, and get into the holiday spirit while contributing to a very active local charity”
“We would especially like to thank Ristorante Pappagallo for their generous participation over the years with the Festival of Trees,” said CCMI CEO Jim O’Neill. “As the event has grown, Vico and the staff at Pappagallo’s have been solid supporters in ensuring the evening runs smoothly and all guests leave happy, most with a new treasure in tow”.
Annually, the Festival of Trees is a sell-out event that receives rave reviews by attendees. Individuals or companies interested in participating in CCMI’s Festival of Trees can contact reef@reefresearch.org.
The Central Caribbean Marine Institute was incorporated in 1998 as a non-profit 501c3 organization. CCMI was established as an international charitable organization after becoming incorporated in the Cayman Islands (2002) and in the UK in 2004.
Since its first years, CCMI has proven a valuable asset to the effort of understanding changing coral reef and tropical marine environments, and its research and education programs have established a solid foundation for future reef education and awareness in the Caribbean and for students and researchers from around the world.
Trust calls for new members
(CNS): With a membership of only 875 the National Trust has begun a concerted effort to raise its profile and started with an open day on Wednesday evening which continues through today at the Trust’s headquarters, Dart Family Park in South Sound. Focused on preserving both the natural environment and the country’s heritage it receives only a small grant from government and depends heavily on the support of the community for finance and volunteers.
An eclectic organisation the National Trusts takes care of a diverse range of projects from the Mastic Trail to the Mission House (above). “Anyone with an interest in Cayman’s environment and heritage should become a member,” said Frank Roulstone the General Manager. “That way you keep up to date with everything that is going on with the trust and you can get involved with some of our projects. We are under constant pressure to preserve what is being lost but we really need the community’s help to do the work. ”
Janice Brown (right) the office manager explained that there is a lot happening at the Trust and that an increasing number of tourists too were visiting the retail centre not just to purchase great gifts but also to sign up for the eclectic tours and events that the National Trust organises.
“We have built up the merchandise now and have a great selection of gifts and local crafts on sail but we also somegreat new tours and excursions that visitors really enjoy, but these are available to local residents as well,” she said.
The trust works hard to fund raise and is often thinking of creative ways to raise money. It recently held a car boot sale and raised $620 which will go towards the Uncle Sammy’s Pond project in West Bay. A site acquired by the Trust in December 2007 it is raising funds to make it a wildlife reserve, open to the public. The site has particular significance to migrating water birds such as Blue-winged Teal, the Lesser Scaup and a wide variety of herons who stop at the site for food and water on their way to and from South America. A total of $90,000 has been estimated to see the project to completion which includes such features as a boardwalk, fencing, a bird-watching blind, parking and other public facilities.
“This was the second boot sale we have held this year and the turn-out was great. It is a good way to get the community together and help the National Trust”, added Brown.
This weekend on Saturday between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm the trust is partnering with the National Museum to host a display at the Mission House in Bodden Town illustrating the life and work in traditional Cayman backyards. ‘As many of our senior generation will recall, homes were mostly for formal entertaining and sleeping,” said Denise Bodden, Historic Programmes Manager. “Much of our lives were carried out in the back yard. Washing, cooking and playing games were just a few of the activities that went on. The “Out in Back” exhibit encompasses the Wash Day and the Caboose experience for visitors to learn about and appreciate.”, said Denise Bodden, Historic Programmes Manager for the National Trust for the Cayman Islands.
For more details of the work of National Trust, how to become a member or a list of forthcoming events log on to www.nationaltrust.org.ky
CPA hears quarry objections
(CNS): UPDATED — The Central Planning Authority (CPA) yesterday heard Lorenzo Berry’s White Rock Investments planning application for his excavation project in the Lower Valley Forest and also heard from numerous objectors to the application. The residents of Mahogany Estates, who have been severely impacted by Berry’s illegal operation for many years, as well as four members of the Berry family with a claim on the land, raised various objections.
While CPA chair Dalkeith Bothwell made no initial objection to the attendance of the media at the Wednesday, 1 October, planning meeting, he said, in the spirit of Freedom of Information, an objection from Samuel Jackson, Berry’s lawyer, suggested it was not normal practice to conduct planning meetings in the presence of the press and as they had not been informed the media was present, he wanted them removed.
“We want to know who is in the room and if they fall outside of the 1500 feet objection they have no business being here,” said Jackson. “We expected the usual rules of planning procedure.” The lawyer said that the issue had already turned into a media circus and that they were all there to deal with a salient planning application which should follow the normal procedure.
Before being removed, CNS heard Murali Ram, who is acting for four members of the Berry family who have a claim on the land, which was originally owned by their grandfather, Thomas Berry. He stated that Lorenzo Berry’s right to excavate the property as White Rock Investments was in legal dispute and that Planning would be wise to take legal advice before granting Berry official planning permission to quarry and level land that was not solely owned by him. Currently Berry is listed as the administrator of the land and by no means the only benefactor or claimants to it.
Bothwell also indicated that the CPA had a number of objections in writing but said those present who wanted to speak against the application would be allowed to do so. Developers of the planned luxury Beach Bay resort were also there, and while they offered no official comment, another Beach Bay strata representative asked to speak his objection on the strata’s behalf.
After the meeting neither Stafford Berry nor attorney Samuel Jackson would comment on the hearing on behalf of the applicant. However, Reverend Nicholas Sykes and Jean Ebanks, residents of Mahogany Estates, spoke about the meeting events and said while they believed they had presented a good case without the benefit of legal representation, Berry’s lawyer had done his best to ridicule their valid objections.
“I believe we made our points adequately,” said Sykes. “However, the outcome remains in their hands, but we believe at the very least the legal dispute within the Berry family over ownership should delay any further excavation.”
Ebanks said she was very concerned about how Berry’s lawyer had simply dismissed the objections submitted by the Department of the Environment. She said Jackson had told the CPA it should not even look at the objection as the DoE had absolutely no legal standing, as there was no environmental law in Cayman.
“We believe, however, regardless of his belittling theenvironmental objections, members of the Planning Authority are more intelligent than that and they will consider the comprehensive objections submitted by the DoE and ourselves,” she said. Indeed, Kenneth Ebanks, the Director of Planning, recently attended a climate change conference and said that Cayman needed to improve its environmental protection legislation. The residents expressed concerns too over what could prove to be a massaging of objections. Ebanks said that while Jackson stated that the applicant’s poll had claimed 53% support within the 1500-foot radius of the development, their objectors’ list suggested that could not be possible.
They were also concerned that while residents on the estate have made numerous complaints to the police regarding the threats made by Berry, some family members and employees, Jackson read a letter which he claimed was from a senior police officer at Bodden Town Police station stating that there were no complaints against Mr Berry. All the residents, however, vehemently disagree and state that even their MLA, Osbourne Bodden, has made complaints to the police on their behalf. CNS contacted the RCIPS which confirmed that there was indeed a record of a number of complaints from all parties invovled in the dispute regarding Mahogany estates.
Residents now have to wait to hear the outcome of the hearing as Bothwell said it would be a few days before the CPA would make its decision.
Greenlight for ocean lesson
(CNS): Aimed at increasing the awareness of the human connection to the ocean the Central Caribbean Marine Institute’s (CCMI) Ocean Literacy initiative received a welcome financial boost recently. Locally based Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. (Greenlight Re) confirmed its continued partnership supporting the education programmes.
These various programmes at the CCMI teach fundamental scientific principles through field-based activities and build critical thinking and problem solving skills. CCMI’s Caribbean Sea Camp recently finished the ninth season and the Eco-Weekends will have a full programme launch for 2008/09, thanks to the help of the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman. The Greenlight Re commitment is allocated primarily towards “Ocean Literacy”, which carries the pledge to make every child in the Cayman Islands ocean literate by the time they are 12 years old.
CCMI CEO Jim O’Neill explained that Greenlight Re was CCMI’s first corporate sponsor for education programmes and the firm’s contribution has allowed the institute to pilot programmes such as Eco Weekend and develop the Ocean Literacy concept. “Because of Greenlight Re, CCMI has been able to have a wide-ranging impact locally with youth and their literacy about the marine environment,” he added.
The ocean covers over 70 percent of the earth’s surface, moderates climate, and gives life to the earth and is critically threatened. The Ocean Literacy programme has a detailed and ambitious three-year plan, which will impact all residents in the Cayman Islands. Its aim is to provide literature, training and support to teachers in both the public and private schools in the Cayman Islands and to implement a public awareness campaign for Ocean Literacy designed to make all members of the community more aware of the impact that they have on the ocean and the impact that the ocean has on them.
“We are proud to extend our partnership with CCMI to educate the youth of our community”, said Greenlight Re CFO Tim Courtis. “The Ocean Literacy programme targets youth, as well as the entire public on the importance of the marine environment. We believe this will have a great impact on Cayman’s community for years and even decades to come.”
The CCMI Education committee has developed and published an Ocean Literacy teacher’s guide, entitled Our Ocean Planet, which has been endorsed by the Education Ministry and has been incorporated into the science curriculum. CCMI will be providing extensive teacher training and support to communicate the new information. Step two will roll out in 2009 and will include local media and wide distribution of the essential principles.
The Central Caribbean Marine Institute was incorporated in 1998 as a non-profit 501c3 organization. CCMI was established as an international charitable organization after becoming incorporated in the Cayman Islands (2002) and in the UK in 2004. Since its first years, CCMI has proven a valuable asset to the effort to understanding changing coral reef and tropical marine environments, and its research and education programs have established a solid foundation for future reef education and awareness in the Caribbean and for students and researchers from around the world. To participate in CCMI’s education programmes, please email info@reefresearch.org
Preservation architect comes back to museum
(CNS): With the return of Historic Preservation Architect Patricia Green (left) more work was underway at the Cayman Islands National Museum last week. Green was first invited to Cayman in the months following Hurricane Ivan to assess the Museum building and make recommendations and since then she has been a frequent visitor the islands and a crucial part in the museum restoration project.
Part of Green’s work has included preparing “as-built” drawings of the completed building; recommending the “look and feel” of exterior refurbishing of the Museum cafe; and assessing the importance to the Museum of the ongoing “Old Gaol” research and architectural preservation projects.
During her most recent visit Green paid close attention to the wattle and daub conservation work that has been undertaken by the museum team and she described the work of the craftsmen as evidence of the uniquely Caymanian vernacular architecture. “While we have these traditions throughout the Caribbean, when I work in a new place I consult with the local crafts people to ensure that we get the indigenous traditional nuances right,” she said.
While visiting this time she also explained the reason behind some of the changes on the project. Green said that unforeseen changes are inevitably made during refurbishing of any historic building. The Museum Gift Shop had originally been situated in the Old Gaol, but with the discovery of historic graffiti on the walls, the site is now being preserved as one of the Islands’ premiere archeological sites. Consequently, the Gift Shop has had to be relocated. Configuration of rooms has also changed, and in some cases decisions were taken to add features, such as the addition of a viewing panel to display the underground cistern located below the audio-visual room.
The museum will enjoy a soft opening in November but will formally open, with all exhibits in place, in January 2009.
Sustainable Future Discussion
(CNS): The Cayman Islands will be participating as observers at a conference in Brussels this week (25 – 26 September) to discuss waste and waste water management, and sustainable energy options with other island states, a government release says. Organized by the European Commission and Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA), the seminars draw together the 17 Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs).
There will be six days of discussions on best practices and innovative solutions for sustainable water, energy and waste management. The focus for both sessions is formulating regional OCT strategies for sustainable futures and participants will share best practices and knowledge in the renewable energy, energy efficiency and effective waste management fields.
“We will have broad representation at this major event in the OCTs calendar. Cayman’s delegation are Mr Hendrik Jan van Genderen, our water resource engineer; Mr Sean McGinn, our assistant director of solid waste; Mr Olivaire Walter, our consultant to the Electricity Regulatory Authority as well as past chairman of the government’s negotiating team with CUC; Deputy Chief Officer (Environment and Commerce) in the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Investment and Commerce Samuel Rose; and a 3-person team from the Department of Environment. We believe that much can be gained in being present,” stated Christina Rowlandson from the Cabinet Office.
Specific objectives include identifying OCT needs, establishing institutional frameworks and regional partnerships, as well as recognizing education and capacity- building opportunities.