News

World Mangrove Day celebrations continue this week, following the inaugural ‘Cayman Mangrove Festival’ by the Cayman Islands Mangrove Rangers’ on 24 July.  The day-long celebration, marking nearly one year of the Mangrove Rangers, attracted more than 200 attendees to George Town’s Parcel 110 at 40 Cardinall Avenue.

More than 30 students from Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, alongside 10 invited artists, contributed their mangrove-inspired art to the charity event.
Twelve of the submissions from the student art show will be chosen for a 2022 Cayman Islands Mangrove Rangers calendar.

‘Stoakd’ artists Marc and Pamela Laurenson provided free workshops on eco-art using recycled materials from their personal collection, and Miss Cayman Islands Universe, Mariah Tibbetts, judged the afternoon’s lively mangrove-fashion show with prizes donated from Cayman Arts Festival, Lucky Slice Pizza, illustrator Michelle Bryan and CLM Publishing. Foster’s also donated funds to provide healthy snacks and refreshments throughout the day. Catering was provided by Chef Anastascio (email: anastascio.meno@gmail.com).

The widespread community support for the event indicates Cayman’s continued connection to its wetlands, said Mangrove Rangers Director Martin Keeley.  “It was a wonderful experience to see such a fantastic turnout, both for the art show featuring the islands’ students and invited artists and the interest displayed by the diverse Caymanian community who attended the event,” Keeley said.  “The student art was a clear sign to us that young people already have a love for Cayman’s mangroves. For me there has always been a powerful spiritual and artistic connection to mangroves, and the incredible response to our first Cayman Mangrove Festival shows that many others have the same, deep connection.”

The festival’s mangrove art exhibition, including more than 30 students and 10 invited artists, will remain on display at Parcel 110, 40 Cardinall Avenue, until 31 July.

Art sales’ proceeds from the show will benefit the Cayman Islands Mangrove Rangers’ mission to promote mangrove education, conservation and restoration.

Original, mangrove-inspired artwork remains on sale from invited artists Teresa Grimes, Chris Mann, Marc Laurenson, Kerwin Ebanks, Jo Austin, Tiffany Polloni, Damien Doogan, Amrita Debnath, Michelle Bryan and Alvaro Serey.
Tiffany Polloni is also offering prints of her watercolour painting, ‘Protect Us’, for $75 for an 18x12” print and $30 for a 5x7”.

Upcoming mangrove outings
This weekend, the Mangrove Rangers will offer several opportunities to get out to nature and interact with Grand Cayman’s mangroves. On Saturday, 31 July, the Mangrove Rangers are partnering with Ambassadors of the
Environment at The Ritz-Carlton for two mangrove kayak sessions, one at 10am and another at 11:30am.

Register online now: https://forms.gle/c3YwcWS4R7c88B5R9

The registration form will remain open until all spots are filled.  Attendees are encouraged to bring sun protection, including sunscreen and hats, water bottles for hydration and water-appropriate shoes, such as sandals or water shoes.
The outings cost $25 for adults and $10 for children.  On Sunday, 1 August, the Rangers join Plastic Free Cayman for an 8am mangrove cleanup at Barkers. Attendees should wear good shoes, such as hiking or rubber boots, hats and long
sleeves for sun and mosquito protection, sunscreen and water bottles for hydration.  Contact info@mangroverangers.ky for more details.

Why stand up for mangroves?

Mangrove forests are one of the planet’s most valuable coastal ecosystems and offer natural storm and flood protection. However, these ecosystems are depleting rapidly due to development and poor environmental practices, contributing to ecological degradation and exacerbating vulnerability to climate change. At least 70% of mangroves have already been lost on the western side of Grand Cayman, according to Department of Environment data. Since 1970, Grand Cayman has lost more than 3,900 acres of pristine mangrove forests - primarily in the West Bay peninsular. With only 1,500 acres of mangroves left in the peninsular and 8,500 acres under threat in the Central Mangrove Wetland, mangrove protection has become increasingly vital.   The Cayman Islands Mangrove Rangers advocate for wetland protection through education, outreach and mangrove monitoring. Donations fund the organisation’s efforts to host educational workshops and community events like the Cayman Mangrove Festival.

Donations can be made through PayPal by following the ‘Donate’ link on www.mangroverangers.ky.