News

The National Trust for the Cayman Islands proudly hosted the inaugural Cayman Climate Fair on Saturday, June 15th, from 10 am to 4 pm at the Prospect Playhouse. This pioneering event aimed to educate and empower the youth of our nation about the critical issue of climate change, featuring a dynamic exploration of climate science and its impact on the Cayman Islands.
The event saw enthusiastic participation from schools across all islands, with 57 students competing across various project categories, including poster presentations, artwork, written word, and drama. The diverse range of projects highlighted the students' creativity and deep understanding of how climate change is reshaping our islands.
Over 110 people attended the fair, engaging with the various exhibits and activities. Bella Rooney, Climate Education Officer at the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, expressed her excitement, stating, "We are incredibly happy with the outcome of the event and with public engagement! There was lots of interaction with local stakeholder booths and with the climate change education zone! Students and the public expressed that they left with a sense of empowerment and felt educated on some of the ways climate change will impact our Island nation!"
The competition winners hailed from several schools, including Red Bay Primary School, St. Ignatius, Cayman International School, Clever Fish, East End Primary School, and Homeschool Cayman. Other schools, such as Cayman Prep and High School and Theoline McCoy Primary School, were also in attendance, showcasing a united front in the fight against climate change.
Prizes for the top three students across all categories for both primary and high school divisions were generously donated by the Ministry of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency (MSCR). Additionally, prizes for independent categories were provided by supportive local businesses and organizations, including EcoCay, Cayman Turtle Centre, Next Chapter, Plastic Free Cayman, Camana Bay, Bre Carle Studio, Mariner Surf Co., Sunset House Divers, Funky Monkey, 3 Girls and a Kiln, Art Nest, Ryde, Every Blooming Thing, Red Sail Sports, Cayman Kayaks, The Market Street Group, Parasailing Professionals, Happy Days Paddle & Coffee, Ambassadors of the Environment at The Ritz-Carlton Cayman, The Farm That Is, and The National Trust for the Cayman Islands.
The judges for the competition included members of the MSCR, Senior Policy Advisor for Climate Resiliency Lisa Hurlston-McKenzie, Policy Advisor for Resiliency Morgan Golden-Ebanks, and Bella Rooney, Climate Education Officer at the National Trust for the Cayman Islands.
Several governmental groups and NPOs also attended the event, including Sustainable Cayman, Plastic Free Cayman, Don't Pave Paradise, Protect Our Future, Hazard Management Cayman, the Department of the Environment, and the Ministry of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency.
"We hope that this will be the first of many Climate Fairs here in the Cayman Islands and can’t wait to see our Climate Education Toolkit used next school year!" added Bella Rooney.
The National Trust for the Cayman Islands extends its gratitude to our grant funders, RESEMBID, for their generous support in making this event possible.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact: Bella Rooney, Climate Education Officer climateeducation@nationaltrust.org.ky