Conserving Cayman's mangroves for future generations
Educating students, teachers, parents and their communities on the importance and beauty of the wonderful world of mangroves in the Cayman Islands. Collecting data and observations of the impact of human activities on Cayman’s mangroves. Establishing a conservation ethic to protect and enhance mangrove ecosystems worldwide.
DISCOVER
WILDLIFE
Join us to discover the beauty and importance of mangrove ecosystems.
The Impact on
OVERVIEW
Mangrove forests are one of the most valuable coastal ecosystems on the planet offering many natural services that protects humanity’s best interest. However, these ecosystems are depleting rapidly thus contributing to ecological degrade and civilization collapse due to climate change.
Since 1970, we have lost 3,900 acres of pristine mangrove forests in the Cayman Islands - primarily in the West Bay peninsular. With only 1,500 acres of mangroves left in the peninsular and with the 8500 acres of the Central Mangroves under serious threat, we have decided enough is enough and stepped up to protect this irreplaceable ecosystem.
We are the Cayman Islands Mangrove Rangers, a team of passionate Caymanians utlizing our diverse skills to protect Cayman mangroves.
"At least 70% of mangroves have already been lost on the western side of Grand Cayman representing about
3,844 acres since 1976"
Martin Keeley
Executive Ranger
What Are We Doing About It..
In order to protect the mangroves of the Cayman Islands a group of locals sourced together a programme to tackle the threats faced by these habitats. The Mangrove Rangers execute many operations to ensure sustainable developments in and around these ecosystems.
Meet The Mangrove Rangers
1. Establish an organisation that monitors the ecological health of the mangrove ecosystems in the Cayman Islands.
2. Collect data on the human impacts on mangrove ecosystems in the Cayman Islands through observation and collection of data and report the results to the Department of Environment.
3. Educate the communities in the Cayman islands in understanding the true value of mangrove ecosystems and their importance to the Cayman islands.
Our Goals:
Introducing:
Junior Rangers
We are looking to recruit Junior Rangers between the ages of 11 and 18, who will work closely with the Mangrove Rangers to learn all about Cayman’s Marvellous Mangroves, Colourful Coral Reefs and Stunning Seagrass.
Exploring the mangrove ecosystem here in the Cayman Islands, you will get to experience and learn about the close interrelationship mangroves hold with the coastal lagoons of seagrass and reefs.
This will include some some exciting field trips to places like the Central Mangrove Wetlands - by foot and boat!
WHY IT MATTERS
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Mangroves are often thought to be swampy wastelands, characterised as shrubs growing in brackish waters. Research, analysis and countless studies have recently shown that mangrove forests not only prove a greater importance to our environment, but to our everyday lives.
Jobs
Given the biodiversity that mangroves harbour, they prove to provide to people as well as the environment. With adjoining ecosystems such as coral reefs or even sandy beaches, mangrove forests are shown to have many socioeconomic benefits such as tourism & fishing. Many countries are starting to exploit these benefits by realising the proximal relation between mangroves and local fish stocks. Along with increased biodiversity, snorkelling services around mangroves and nearby reefs are provided by local communities, where others may be educated promoting jobs opportunities. as well as food,
Exploited sustainably, mangroves may be used for umber for building residences and boats and fuel-wood for cooking and warming. By being impervious to rot and fungi decay, they can act as a material that would be perfect for construction in developing communities, often found near wetlands and damp environments.
Nursery Grounds
