Caymanian Compass and Cayman Net News, March 2003

Cayman Airways recently supplied a boost for the National Trust for the Cayman Island’s Visiting Scientist Programme, through generous provision of tickets to support this well-established programme of study and education. “I would like to extend my thanks to Mr. Mike Adam and his staff for their generous help and assistance. This programme is extremely important to gaining a fuller understanding of our island ecosystems, which are like no other in the world.” said Lois Blumenthal, Programme Coordinator.

“Over the years, the National Trust Visiting Scientist Programme has assisted many experts in coming to Cayman to study our rich natural heritage” said Dr Mat Cottam, Environmental Programmes Manager, for the National Trust. “Their efforts have helped us to learn more about our unique plants and wildlife through research and education, and have also helped raise the profile of Cayman in the international scientific community”.

The first expedition to benefit from Cayman Airways sponsorship will be the forthcoming visit from flower bat expert Dr. Ted Fleming from the University of Miami’s department of Biology. As a result of his Costa Rican and Mexican studies, Prof. Fleming brings with him a detailed understanding of the ecological importance of plant-visiting bats in neotropical ecosystems. He will be leading a small research team in the study of Caribbean endemic Buffy Flower bats and will use radio telemetry to locate the hidden caves where these elusive bats roost. Buffy Flower bats pollinate many local plants, including Silk Cotton, Vine Cactus and Agave.

Dr. Ted Fleming and young Mattie Troyer examine a rare White-shouldered Bat, Phyllops falcatus, in the Lower Valley Forest on Grand Cayman.

Later in the year, 84 year-old Dr George Proctor, long-term student of the Flora of the Cayman Islands, will be returning, to continue his work documenting Cayman Islands plants and complementing his species-discovering trips from 1948 through 2002.

If you would like to know more about the work of the National Trust, TEL: 949 0121 or check out the Trust’s website www.caymannationaltrust.org