Caymanian Compass - February, 2004

By Lois Blumenthal

Cayman Prep and High School students who didn’t travel abroad on this year’s class field trips were treated to tours right at home by teachers, parents and members of Cayman Wildlife Connection (CWC).

The group visited the proposed George Town Heritage Forest and were amazed to find an untouched piece of Cayman’s native forest so close to the Walkers Road schools.

“This Heritage Forest is a piece of Cayman’s history,” said Ann Stafford of Cayman Wildlife Connection, who led the tour with CWC volunteer Carla Reid, teacher Arthurlyn Pedley and parent volunteer Karen Jackson.  “It is a living museum – an outdoor classroom – showcasing trees and plants that enabled early Caymanians to survive.”

Cayman Islands Prep and High School, Year 9, Megan Potkins, Sherie Jackson, Jonathan Pedley with Cayman Wildlife Connection’s Carla Reid at the Heritage Forest.

Mrs. Stafford explained to the students that this forest is the only place in the George Town area where rare indigenous trees like Ironwood and Candlewood still grow. These trees were among those used in the construction of traditional Wattle and Daub houses. Other trees found in the Heritage Forest have great historical interest and were used in shipbuilding and general utility. These include Cedar, Pepper Cinnamon, Silver Thatch, Fiddlewood, Strawberry, Cabbage trees, Broadleaf and Smokewood, as well as many lesser known trees and shrubs that make Cayman unique. It seemed that almost every tree had a story to tell the students.

Besides providing a look into early Caymanian history, the Heritage Forest is home to rare endemic plants; some found nowhere else on earth, and one plant that is found only in the southeast George Town area. “Hohenbergia caymanensis is a giant bromeliad (air plant) that is bigger than a refrigerator, grows on the rocks and up in the trees and is only found in this small remnant of forest on government land near the schools. It’s amazingly beautiful, hardy and adapted to life in this unique forest habitat. Many of the plants in this area have not been fully studied by science, and several new records have been discovered here just in the last two years,” enthused Lois Blumenthal, a member of Cayman Wildlife Connection and active supporter of the conservation of rare native plants and wildlife. 

It is hoped that this forest can be preserved as a living classroom for all Cayman Islands students. Rotary Club would like to construct a boardwalk through the proposed Heritage Forest as their Centennial Project. A boardwalk will allow easier access for all the students and teachers to visit the forest regularly. Local teachers have expressed great enthusiasm for the idea, and hope that this concept becomes a reality very soon.

Year 8 class of Cayman Prep & High School with Karen Jackson and Carla Reid in front of a rare Bastard Cherry tree (Ehretia tinifolia), which happens to grow on the Prep School campus.

“I never thought there was so much learn in the bush!” said one enthusiastic young boy. Students were impressed by the beauty and marvelled over the plants they had never seen before that were growing so close to their classrooms. All agreed that the experience was one that should be repeated for other students, and more field trips are planned in the near future.

For more information on Cayman Islands native plants contact info@caymanwildlife.ky , phone 917-8395 or visit www.caymanwildlife.ky