Kids take on environmental battles

| 03/03/2011

(CNS): With the country’s natural environment coming under greater pressure than ever and no sign of any legislation to protect it, Caymanians may have to put their hopes of preserving what natural resources remain in the hands of the next generation. Students in Cayman Prep & High School Year 6 class recently seized the title of the Disney’s Planet Challenge (DPC) winners in the Cayman Islands for 2011/12 with a project focused on preserving habitats for the native swallowtail butterfly, which is under threat and one of thousands of species with no protection in law. This year, more than 1,270 Cayman students in 66 classes took part in this environmental programme, pledging to make a positive difference for the environment.

The two-part educational programme is a combined effort between Disney Cruise Line, and the  of tourism, education and environment departments to encourage children to take an active part in pledging to protect the environment and problem-solve environmental issues within their local community.

Through their project titled "Save Our Swallows", the students worked to protect local habitats for the swallowtail butterfly, a species native to the Cayman Islands and whose population is threatened due to the lack of naturally growing lime trees in the area. Through a creative two-part process, the class reached out to their school and community, raising awareness by passing out seeds and planting new lime trees, raising more than one thousand dollars in donations for their cause in the process.

"It’s exciting to witness the younger generation make an active contribution to our islands in such a meaningful context," said Acting Director of Tourism, Shomari Scott. "Through the DPC programme, these students discovered the danger of the swallowtail population and developed their own conservation programme, taking the extra mile to go out within their community at large and encourage others to plant lime trees in their yards, providing habitats for the butterflies."

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Category: Science and Nature

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  1. Anonymous says:

    I am glad the kids are getting this exposure.

    I am sure the Premier does not want our youth becoming environmentally educated.  It could interfere with some of his plans for the country.

    He would rather they just learn to worship the Almighty Dollar as he does..

  2. rasta mouse says:

    we have a frangipani tree in the garden which is covered in huge catapillars at the moment. they are only eating the leaves on that tree.

    does anyone know what they are and if they are a threatened species?

    • Mat Cottam says:

      Hi Rasta Mouse

      They are Sphinx moth caterpillars – Pseudosphinx tetrio – pretty common, but impressive non-the-less!

      Mat

      • rasta mouse says:

        thanks Mat, good job they are common, my landlord has just gassed them all….arghhhh