New Native Plant Nursery opens at the Botanical Park

Early-rising members of the public were among the first to see new facilities dedicated to growing native plants during a successful open house event at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park on Saturday morning, 28 February.

The free event welcomed residents for a behind-the-scenes look at the Park's newly opened native plant nursery, developed through a partnership with the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability (MHES), and funded by the UK Government through the Darwin Plus programme.

Visitors were treated to an engaging and informative tour of park trails, where Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park Director, Mr. John Lawrus, Horticultural Specialist Mr. Corin Golding, and volunteer Mr. Stuart Mailer, pointed out some of the park's native plant species such as Corato, Duppy Bush, Mahogany, Silver Thatch and Cayman Sage, some of which are endangered, and how to identify them in their natural environment.

The event was attended by Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, the Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability, and MHES Acting Chief Officer, Exie Tomlinson-Panton, who joined participants on the tour and learned more about the nursery's role in supporting biodiversity in the Cayman Islands.

During the open house, the horticultural team provided a seed propagation demonstration, giving attendees insight into how native plant seeds are prepared and potted for use in gardens, landscaping and habitat restoration.

Mr. John Lawrus said the event marked an exciting milestone for the project and highlighted strong community interest in Cayman's native plants.

"It was wonderful to welcome members of the public to the Park and give them the very first look at our new native plant nursery facilities. Cayman is home to an extraordinary range of native plants that are perfectly adapted to our environment. By growing these species here at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, we can help gardeners, landscapers and the wider community choose plants that grow and thrive in Cayman's climate. Whether you are planting trees and bushy shrubs in a large backyard or a few potted plants on your balcony, we encourage everyone to choose natives."

Since the Open House event, the project team have continued their public education campaign and invited the Recreation, Parks and Cemeteries Unit (RPCU) from the Public Works Department (PWD) to attend an informational workshop at the park. The RPCU is responsible for the maintenance and care of our public parks, beaches, and cemeteries. The event helped them to identify various native species growing across Cayman's landscapes, including landscape-friendly plants, fostering awareness and more informed decisions when it comes to what is being planted and removed in our public spaces.

The next phase of the project will focus on growing a wider range of native species, with the goal of making them increasingly available for purchase and encouraging the use of native plants across Cayman's landscapes.

Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks said the initiative demonstrates how conservation and community engagement can work hand in hand.

"This project is an important step in protecting Cayman's natural heritage. By investing in facilities dedicated to growing native plants, we are strengthening our commitment to preserving biodiversity and making it easier for residents and landscapers to choose species that naturally thrive here. It was encouraging to see so many people, residents and tourists alike, attend the open house and learn more about the value of Cayman's plants. I am proud of the Ministry's support of this initiative, and I look forward to seeing the nursery continue to bloom."

Contact info@botanic-park.ky for more information on the availability of plants.

Visit www.gov.ky/nationaltreeplanting for learn about the Ministry’s National Tree Planting Programme.