The Ministry of Sustainability & Climate Resiliency and Ministry of Education join forces for first tree planting event of the new academic year

The Ministry of Sustainability & Climate Resiliency, Ministry of Education and Department of Education Services recently collaborated to plant 20 native trees at Red Bay Primary School, George Town, as part of the ongoing National Tree Planting Programme.

A group of Year 5 students at the school had the opportunity to meet Hon. Minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks and members of the Ministry of Sustainability & Climate Resiliency team. Together with staff from Red Bay Primary School, students helped plant a selection of native and culturally significant trees, including Spanish Elm which was used in the construction of cat boats, Cabbage which was used in the wattle and daub of traditional homes, and Broad Leaf which has traditional medicinal uses.

The National Tree Planting Programme is currently focusing efforts on planting native trees in public primary schools across the Cayman Islands. Through this work, students will learn about the importance of recognising and protecting native species. This tree planting was the first of the new academic year. In 2023 and 2024, the Ministry of Sustainability & Climate Resiliency facilitated tree plantings at East End Primary and West Bay Primary schools, thanks to donations from Rotary Central Cayman and Deloitte.

The Minister for Sustainability & Climate Resiliency, Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, said: “Helping our young people to understand the importance of preserving local plants and animals is essential to maintaining the biodiversity of the Cayman Islands.

“It is a joy to see how enthusiastic the students are to learn more about the trees that grow on our islands. It is said that you have to know something to love it, and I believe that through our educational outreach programmes more young people in Cayman will know and love the native plants around them.”

The National Tree Planting Programme was initially launched as a pilot programme in 2022 to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and is one of the Ministry of Sustainability & Climate Resiliency’s key programmes to promote and conserve biodiversity.

Now in its second year, the programme has evolved into a standalone initiative focused on planting large groups of native and fruit trees in public spaces, such as school campuses and community parks. The Ministry of Sustainability & Climate Resiliency plans to continue planting trees at the public primary schools across the Cayman Islands, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Department of Education Services.

Dr Ryan Dale, Principal at Red Bay Primary School, said: “Red Bay Primary School was honoured to welcome Honourable Minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks and her team from the Ministry of Sustainability & Climate Resiliency. At our school, we prioritise teaching sustainability from an early age, and this tree-planting event provided a fantastic opportunity for our students to engage hands-on with the natural environment of the Cayman Islands.

As a school community, we are committed to nurturing these special native trees and ensuring their growth for future generations.”

The National Tree Planting Programme is currently accepting donations from businesses and organisations. Donating to the programme enables businesses and community groups to support this local initiative and demonstrate their commitment to corporate social responsibility.

Through partnerships with the private sector, the Ministry aims to expand the reach of its initiatives to maximise their positive impacts on the community, including promoting more public green spaces where communities and the natural environment co-exist.

To enquire about donating to the programme, please contact the Ministry by emailing treesplanting@gov.ky .