Sustainable Cayman has launched Biodiversity Cayman: Celebrating Our Islands’ Unique Natural Heritage, a public education initiative helping people learn more about the plants, animals and wild places found only in the Cayman Islands, at an event hosted at the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI). Supported by the UK Government’s Darwin Plus Local programme and delivered in partnership with UCCI, the initiative will bring endemic-species-focused biodiversity education into classrooms and communities across all three islands: through university seminars integrated into UCCI’s Environmental Science curriculum, student field trips into Cayman’s protected habitats, the immersive Mangrove VR pilot experience, and appearances at community events including the Biannual STEM Conference and the CIG Annual Wellness Fair 2026. The Cayman Islands are home to species that exist nowhere else on Earth, from the Cayman Ghost Orchid (Dendrophylax fawcettii) and Cayman Ironwood (Chionanthus caymanensis) to the Grand Cayman Bullfinch (Melopyrrha taylori) and the Cayman Dwarf Boa (Tropidophis caymanensis). Biodiversity Cayman invites residents to get to know these neighbours, and the old-growth woodland and wetland they depend on, through its Spot the Species programme, a dedicated landing page on sustainablecayman.org, and a new social media presence. The initiative reflects extensive consultation with key local stakeholders, and is aligned with the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy (2025), which emphasises community engagement, shared values and evidence-informed conservation. Later this year, the initiative will open the Cayman Environmental Survey 2026, gathering residents’ views to inform a Cayman Biodiversity Charter; details will be announced separately.
“Lasting protection for Cayman’s wild places depends on something no law can supply on its own: a community that knows what it has and chooses to protect it. Biodiversity Cayman exists to help every resident meet the species and places that make these islands unlike anywhere else on Earth.” — Melanie Carmichael Cert.Hon., Controller, Sustainable Cayman “UCCI was pleased to partner with Sustainable Cayman to launch Biodiversity Cayman on our campus and to give our students and wider university community an opportunity to engage with the initiative. Understanding Cayman’s unique natural environment is important, and we were pleased to provide a space for that conversation and engagement.” — University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) The Biodiversity Cayman team brings together a broad range of local knowledge, professional qualifications and practical experience. Education & Outreach Officers Danielle Seales and Alyssa Ebanks bring experience across environmental research, conservation, education, community engagement and project delivery, supported by specialist input from local and international partners. Residents can follow the initiative at sustainablecayman.org/biodiversity-cayman-1 and on social media at @biodiversitycayman on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.