MHES plants 100 trees in Batabano for NTP Programme

As part of the National Tree Planting Programme (NTPP), the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability has planted 100 native plants at Batabano Cemetery in West Bay. Supported by the Recreation, Parks and Cemeteries Unit, Batabano Cemetery was selected because of the available public space and need for greenery.

The 100 trees and shrubs selected are native to the Cayman Islands, and carry historical and ecological significance, such as Duppy Bush, Rosemary and Mahogany. Duppy Bush is a larval food plant for the Duppy Bush day-flying moth. The aromatic leaves of Rosemary (Croton linearis) were used to wash hair, soothe skin irritations, added to smoke pots to keep mosquitoes at bay, and steeped as a medicinal tea. Rosemary was also used to make
brooms to smooth the white sand yards of the olden days.

Mahogony (Swietenia mahagoni) is perhaps one of the Cayman Islands’ most historically important trees. The global demand for Mahogany wood enticed some of the earliest settlers to Cayman’s shores. Its hard wood was used to construct everything from schooners and furniture to musical instruments. Mahogany timber was a vital resource for early settlers and a chief export for the country for many years. Due to its exploitation, Mahogany is now listed as
endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

When the plants are fully grown, they will provide visitors to the cemetery with beautiful natural shade and comfort.

Ms. Tamara Ebanks, Chief Officer for the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability, said: “The Ministry is proud to provide this programme and maintain our commitment to nurturing native species and connecting the community with nature. This planting is particularly poignant and I hope that the plants will be enjoyed at the cemetery for many years.”

The planting at Batabano Cemetery was the last of the year for the programme which has planted a total of 241 trees across Grand Cayman since 2024, truly leaving a green footprint and contributing to the programme’s mission of planting, nurturing, and protecting native and culturally significant trees across the Cayman Islands.

Ms. Morgan Golden-Ebanks, Policy Advisor for Resiliency, said: “Native plants belong in our community, our schools and public spaces. Through this programme we are strategically planting native plants where they are most needed, while considering any future development plans for the sites. Our colleagues in the Recreation, Parks and Cemeteries Unit also played a vital role in organising the planting, and I’d like to thank our vendors Caribbean Blooms for supplying the native plants, and GreenCut Landscaping for managing landscaping.” 

This year, the NTPP also planted 15 trees in Teacher Al Park in West Bay, in an initiative sponsored by Polar Bear Air Conditioning. Other private organisations are welcome to get involved by sponsoring the purchase of native trees for community plantings which their employees can also participate in.

For more information, visit https://gov.ky/web/national-tree-planting/get-involved or email treeplanting@gov.ky.

The new year is already showing green shoots of promise for the programme. The Ministry was awarded a Darwin Plus grant of £50,000 to fund a project to improve existing nursery facilities at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. The work has already begun and the award will enable the Park’s horticultural team to grow at least 250 plants comprised of a mix of 10 native species. A number of other tree plantings are being planned for 2026.

The National Tree Planting Programme was initially launched in 2022 as part of the Cayman Islands Government’s year-long schedule of events and initiatives to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The Programme's initial goal was to plant 70 trees in each constituency, of which 70 will be Mahogany trees across all three islands, the continuation of the programme has now ensured not only a living legacy that honours the late Queen’s leadership, but is blazing a green trail that will benefit future generations.