National Conservation Council membership confirmed

Local sustainable development expert Stuart Mailer appointed as Chairperson

The Ministry of Sustainability & Climate Resiliency is pleased to announce the membership of the National Conservation Council for the 2023-2025 term.

The membership of the Council is established in Schedule 2 to the National Conservation Act, and consists of five Ex-Officio members, representing the Departments of Environment, Planning, and Agriculture, plus a member representing the National Trust for the Cayman Islands; and eight members appointed by the Cabinet, of which at least four must have relevant scientific or technical expertise. The Cabinet also appoints one of the members as the Council’s Chair, who then holds a casting vote only. The Department of Environment provides a non-voting secretary to support the council. Council members serve two-year terms and are eligible for reappointment.

In announcing the new membership of the National Conservation Council (NCC), Premier and Minister of Sustainability & Climate Resiliency Hon. Wayne Panton paid homage to the legacy of former NCC Chairman the late McFarlane Conolly.

“As a member of the very first NCC in 2014 and the council’s Chairman from 2018 to February 2023, Mr. Mac’s legacy lives on in this important governmental body. I know the newly appointed Council members will discharge their duties with integrity, staying true to the mission of the NCC which is to promote the conservation and sustainable use of Cayman’s natural resources and biological diversity,” he said. “The NCC plays a fundamental role in the protection of Cayman’s unique species and habitats, as well as in the Environmental Impact Assessment process. The Council members, under the leadership of Stuart Mailer as the new Chairperson, have a lot of important work to carry forward and, on behalf of the Cayman Islands Government, I thank them for their willingness to serve.”

Mr. Mailer said: “I am deeply honoured to accept the Chair of the National Conservation Council. I, like all of the members of the Council, will miss our former chairman Mr. McFarlane Conolly, and commit to continuing his stellar work. Over the next two years I will follow our Constitutional mandate to ensure that all of our decisions have due regard to protecting an environment that supports the health or well-being of present and future generations.”

The NCC will host a General Meeting later this month. The Agenda and Minutes for all NCC General Meetings may be accessed at www.conservation.ky. The public is invited to watch the livestream of the NCC General Meeting on the Department of Environment YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CaymanIslandsDOE/

For more information on the NCC and to stay up to date on upcoming meetings and public consultations, please visit www.conservation.ky.

Attached are some photos from the first meeting of the NCC since it’s re-appointment.

 Present are:

Stuart Mailer, Chairman, Sustainable Development

Lisa Hurlston-McKenzie, West Bay, Sustainable Development & Climate Change

Ian Kirkham, North Side, Terrestrial Ecology

Lucille Seymour MBE, George Town

Stephen Broadbelt, East End, Marine Affairs

Frank Roulstone, National Trust

Gina Ebanks-Petrie, Director of Environment

Timothy Austin, DoE Deputy of Research

Also present are the Manager of DoE’s Environmental Management Unit, Lauren Dombowsky and NCC Secretary, John Bothwell.

Joining via zoom are Patricia Bradley (Avifauna and biodiversity) , Stephen Broadbelt (East End and Marine Affairs), Pierre Foster (Bodden Town), Roxann Burrell (Representing the Dept of Planning).

Absent with regrets were Harrison Bothwell (Sister Islands) and Bryan Crichlow (Dept of Agriculture).