PRIZE Project rescues native Caymanian plants

Taejsha Solomon and Sherie Jackson, both students 
at Cayman Prep School, are all smiles as they display 
their treasure trove of native Cayman Islands plants 
rescued as part of the PRIZE Project

Tuesday, March 16, 2004

Some Cayman Prep students recently got the chance to rescue a cluster of native Cayman Islands plants from the Beach Bay area, as part of the Plant Rescue Initiative Saves Environment (PRIZE) project. 

The PRIZE Project is a joint effort that matches gardeners and nurseries with developers who will be clearing land so that the increasingly rare native plants can be rescued, replanted and preserved. 

Lois Blumenthal, with Cayman Wildlife Connection, says there is a trove of endemic plants waiting to be rescued in Cayman.

"The Cayman Islands is isolated by the ocean from other land masses," she explained. "As a result, we have rare endemic plants here. In fact, researchers tells us there are at least 25 endemic plants here, on Island, that are seen nowhere else in the world."

Students at Cayman Prep School took home wild rosemary, duppy bush, air plants and wild orchids as part of the PRIZE Project school field trip hosted by Cayman Wildlife Connection. 

"Anytime, anywhere, if an area is going to be cleared by a developer, we'll be there," concluded Ms Blumenthal. 

For more information contact info@caymanwildlife.ky, phone 917-8395 or visit www.caymanwildlife.ky 

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