I have very strong feelings about protecting the open lands we have left from what some call progress. - T.J.Farrier



Priceless - Kristan D. Godbeer



I came from the UK to see the Cayman wildlife. After visiting this extraordinarily bio-diverse forest, which is rich in wildlife found no-where else, I strongly support your campaign to protect the forest from this road development and your proposal to make it a protected area for recreation and education. - Liz Charter

The UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum is being held on Grand Cayman 31 May - 4 June 2009.

Se www.ukotcf.org for details. Conservation issues faced by all UK Overseas Territories will be discussed and shared, including conservation of the George Town Ironwood Forest.

- Lillian - UKOT

I am only a frequent visitor to Grand Cayman.  Since 1981.  About 90 trips now.  And it makes me feel sad to talk about how Grand Cayman used to be.  Please dont make the mistake we have made in America.  Leave some of nature alone.  Let your grandchildren know you wonderful island. 

 

I miss the quiet of Sunday.

DRJ

- Dianne Jones

We have forgotten the scenery just after Hurricane Ivan. Let mother nature and the people of these Island continue to LIVE!

There must be a stop to the stupidity of removing the "heart" of the land. LEAVE IT ALONE FOR OUR KIDS AND OTHERS TO ENJOY, WAKE UP CAYMAN!

- Kermith Chung

 

 You have my support.

 We are replanting trees in my town in Jamaica.

 It is amazing that this destruction would even be considered. Especially in these times.

 

 

- Steve Solomon



I think its time the Government actually listens to the people of Cayman & stop thinking about whats going into their pocket! Protect the natural beauty of Cayman, the one that we grew up with & love. - Alison Hetley



100% I and many others are behind this. - Carlos Andres Gomez



When the world is covered with roads, there won't be anywhere worth driving to. - Graham Thompson



So much of the island has been damaged by indiscriminate building of houses and roads.  When will the authorities set up protected areas, before the natural glories of this beautiful island are destroyed forever ? - Irene Charters-Bowen

Don’t destroy what little is left of the Cayman I remember growing up and the Cayman of my parents, grandparents and great grandparents. Money can not replace everything!

- Wanda Solomon-Floyd



Cayman is a very special place, and it is very sad that some powerful individuals see fit to destroy some of the most special parts of it. - Robbie Blake

As a young Caymanian growing up in the Cayman Islands I have found that our Island is losing what matters most to it. It is not the tourism are the banking it is our culture. I have seen Cayman change so much evolving from a beautiful island to almost a Miami look a like. So much of our wildlife is being torn down for purposes that have nothing to do with making Cayman unique everywhere you look new condos are being built was is happing to our island. We could save one more piece of our culture if we let our Ironwood Forest live I believe we have enough roads and it wont kill anyone if they dont have a shortcut if we have lived without a road through there all these many years I think we can still live without it. The money that would be spent tearing down the forest could be spent trying to protect it and making it a place where we Caymanians and tourist can go to learn more about what makes Cayman so BEAUTIFUL

- Jessica Hurlston



The Government has a responsibility to at least come to the table so that the interests of all parties are taken account of. - Owen Hammond

The brutal killings of the blue iguanas hold a common thread with the possible destruction of the ironwood forest: mans disregard for the enviroment.

Like those magnificent creatures, the ironwood forest is an irreplaceable part of our islands landscape.

Mr. Mclean, please do the right thing.

- Crazy 4 Cayman



I would strongly urge the government to take into account the interests of the local citizens and landowners, who are opposed to the move particularly on account of the negative environmental impact of such egregious expropriation of Cayman's natural resources. - Smita Jain

I think it is only a domination in the Government and that it should be understood by Arden McClean that these people are Owners of their property and that it is like Mr. Yates have said "This should had been discussed along time ago", however the facts are that the Government is only here to dominate us Caymanians.  Adittionally  I will also participate in the BULLDOZER blockage if it comes to that so I would like to have my name added to the List of Bull Dozer Blockers as Hanklin Ebanks and be informed of any need for help in this matter.

    Let us all stand up and be counted against this Government and let them know that WE NEED RESPECT From them as well.

     Hanklin Ebanks

  

- Hanklin Ebanks



This area is ecologically unique. Please try to save it, and develop yourism around its protection - Dr Roland E Randall



I have been to Cayman to visit friends who live there and met many new friends during my visit.  Cayman's natural beauty needs to be protected for the benefit of future generations. - Claire Michaels



This forest is too beautiful, please do not destroy and help us save it. - Andre Christie



I want to show my children the natrual wonders of Cayman, but by the time I am ready to have children, all of Cayman's natrual wonders would be gone. Cayman is a small island, and there are more road and building than there is plans. When tourist come to the island, they want to see our national treasures not a mini version of the USA. Stop cutting down trees. If you want to stop the amount of traffic in the mornings, car pool. After Ivan, who had one car got two and three, so save the Iron-wood forest trees!!! - Eva McLean



In response to Ms. Sherelle Clarke, we DON'T have a constitution; we are supposed to be creating one, but I highly doubt that it would allow us the right to preserve and protect our natural habitat, environment and heritage; that would prevent the Government from lining its pockets!
- Lisa Butz

 

Please save the forest.

- Louis Chung III



This is a sacred forest and must remain that way for future generations. We have already lost enough mangroves to developement and Ivan should have been a lesson. We don't need another road we need less vehicles. - K.Powery



As it is, so much of our heritage has been lost.  Do you really think that celebrating "Heritage Week" once a year is a way of preserving our culture/heritage when the island is being destroyed in the name of progress?  - Davilynn Parsons O'Neill

Not just some forest at dat, but a Ironwood Forest dat has significant species and trees seldomly found no where else in the Cayman Islands, not alone, the world?  Come on now people! unna couldnt find something else to do instead of mashing down the one and first Ironwood Forest in Cayman.  Don't you think we already did enough road building? I am sure that most of the majority of the students that attend UCCI are against this construction of a road, plus the majority of the rest of the country.  Dont we people have the right to protect wat is ours.  I thought the constitution stated the right to preserve and protect our natural habitat, environment and heritage?  What do that count for? On the whole I think this idea of clearing OUR Ironwood forest to construct a road is poorly considered and its decision would lead to no significant change in the traffic flow. 

 Young Caymanian,

Sherelle Clarke

- Sherelle Clarke



Save the forest!!!!!For the younger generation. - Frank L Hall

Just the other day my Dad recalled the "old" people using the Ironwood tree to build houses, boats, etc.  It is important to save our past so that we can understand where we came from!

 

- Katherine Arch

Whilst I understand and agree with the need for the East West arterial road and the West Bay road bypass, I do not condone running a road through the pristine woodlands of the Ironwood Forest. Government planning processes should anticipate the need for better roads BEFORE private and public developments commence and not wait until these are completed and then have to destroy the remaining green areas. These should be preserved and not lost.

Much has been said about the financial cost of the proposed road through the and alternative routes at the Ironwood Forest. These funds would be better applied towards the development of an effective public transportation system.

- William Forsythe



We are a Tropical Island, we are not suppose to be a concrete jungle.  There is so little greener left that you might as well call ourselves the States. - Ashley O'Neill



Its very unfortunate this is happening, it seems to me that the powers to be do not have any interest in preserving the Island for our future generation. - Cleva Jackson

 

Please save the forest.

 

 

- sara aiken-chung

I am in agreement  that this forest should be preserved

- Kennedy Ebanks



I will be off Island and cannot attend the public gathering tomorrow. - Annie Mae Roffey

Just this past week my daughter brought home something that she did in school. It was a simple copying exercise to practice her cursive writing. On a small piece of paper she had written "Please be good to, and take care of the Earth, I will need it when I grow up".  She affixed this to a picture that she drew. A great truth is contained in this simple statement. We all share this earth, and without it human life can not be sustained.

Having been in the ironwood forest (although it was several years ago) I can attest that it is,indeed, majestic and awe inspiring. As a Caymanian educator I can see the tremendous value of this forest as an educational, historic, and natural experience for all, especially the children, who call these islands home.

I do hope that all parties involved can open their hearts and minds, and will look for solutions not only with 'now', but with our children, our grandchildren and all future generations, in mind.

- Jacqueline L. Ebanks



How many more cars is Government going to allow to be imported? We already have too many for the roads, the landfill can't hold any more junk cars, Government is spending extraordinary amounts of money to build new road and bypasses. They really do not get the picture that it is not the new roads that we need and henceforth destruction of natural vegetation, but what we truly need is a proper, reliable public transport system and parking areas just outside of town, where people can park their cars and take a bus into town. They have already allowed the destruction of 7 Mile Beach with the highrises, now they want to destroy one of our few remaining natural forests! What next will we be stripped of?   Carol Eldemire-Huddleston - Carol Eldemire-Huddleston

It is time that Government learn to spell "Environment" correctly; it is not spelt "DEVELOPMENT".  Go back to school Government!

It is time that Ministerial responsibility for the environment be Constitutionally prohibited from being in the same Ministry as Development, Agriculture, Tourism, Planning, Commerce, Infrastructure or Lands.  Environmental considerations will always be last place.

It is time that Environmental responsibility be Constitutionally tied to the same Ministry as Education or Health.  An educated healthy population will protect the source of their health - our natural environment.

VOCIFEROUSLY fight for a strong National Conservation Law - not the weakened ineffective politically driven proposed draft long promised by Government which will allow continued environmental destruction to benefit the "Few" politically well connected.

If you love the Cayman Islands then be prepared to fight for it.... or lose it.

William H. Adam

 

 

- William H. Adam



Get a public transport system into existence. Building roads and destroying our land is NOT the way forward. We need an efficient island wide bus service and to limit the amount of cars. Take advice from other islands such as Bermuda. Utilise the roads we have and leave that which is natural UNSPOILT! - Melissa Jenkinson

I don't see the reason why the government have to distroy the most indigenous place to the cayman islands and to the world. What the forest provides is uncommon to the habitat, world wide today. If they distroy the forest how will the younger generation know what our island provides and what our island has that isn't common or unknown world wide. For e.g. ; the GHOST ORCHID, OLD GEORGE, and the IRONWOOD TREES. Now think about it, where in the world will you be able to find such a refine species of plants that isn't known to majority of man today. If the government distroy the Ironwood forest, i guarantee that when the younger generatation hear about the ironwood forest i'm assure that majority of the young caymans would like to discover what our island has instore. 

NOTE: Known to the fact that a catagory 5 hurricane (Ivan) took just about everything that we had in 2004  especially most of our mangroves in prostpect and south sound but... The ironwood forest still remains to this day. If there was any plants that was also unknown to us that we may have lost during Ivan, it was a great lost to the island. It would also be a greater lost if the government distroy the Ironwood Forest. So now that we know what is there, WE NEED TO PERSERVE IT  AT ALL COST!!!

I also find it very unessary for the government to put a extensive road behind UCCI. They clame that if they put an extensive road behind the collage, it's going to help that traffic, which ISN'T GOING TO HELP AT ALL! Some people in Cayman need to learn how to car pool! That's it takes. Also known to the fact that the Ironwood forest is the ONLY remaining fragment of old George Town dry forest. If they take it down, George Town will not have any dry forest left.

-Joanette A. Dixon

- Joanette Dixon - Proud CAYMANIAN!!!

 

Should you be serius...... Please consider, how long it takes a tree to grow, how long it takes for a flower to bloom and then, Visualize a place of tar roads and concrete strutures and ask your self, do we realy need to destroy this place anymore? Progres should be managed and monitioredin a responsible way.

Walk good...

 

Patrick Broderick

- Patrick, Theresa and Arin Broderick

This forest is very important to Cayman. Diverse with endemic plants (plants that are found no where else in the World!) the ironwood forest ties our past to our future. We must take every opportunity to protect this area and others! In addition to protecting these areas, when we are building our own homes we should take the time to learn about the plants on our property and do everything possible to “build around” the native flora. I just can’t stand to see large trees cut down, especially when they don’t need to be.

- Denise K. Miller

To my fellow Caymanians and the Government,

I am a young Caymanian adult that is very unhappy to know that the Govenment wants to put a road through the only place in Cayman that has plants known to the WORLD!!!!! and found no were else on Cayman for that Matter!!!! Why would you want to do some thing like that!!! I understand that the road is to help ease the school traffic in the morning......but come on!!!! Dont you tink the traffic is caused by the people that have like 5 cars to one household!!!! People need to learn to car pool!!!! And also the traffic is held up by some people who like to be road hogs!!! Like taking short cuts and wat not!!! Its things like that that hold up the traffic in da mornig!!!!! In fact i tink people will have to start car poolin now that the gas prices have goin HIGH SKY!!!! We will soon be paying $5 or more per gallon!! In my opinion the Government needs to do something about the amount of cars that is on Grand Cayman!!!! And not build more roads so people can go an get another car to put in der yard!!

Cayman is losing its heritage day by day!!! We as a people need to step up and let the Govenment know that we will not put up with this!!! WE NEED TO STOP DEM!!!!! Do we really want to look like another Mami??? I know for a fact most people dont want Cayman to!!! We are a little Island that needs to stand out in the crowd!!!!! We have a forest that is very unique!!, why do u wantr to rip it down!??, Just to help ease a bit of traffic!!! You have done ENOUGH RIPPIN DOWN OF MANGROVES IN PROSPECT / RED BAY (and a few other places)!!!!!!!

LEAVE THE IRONWOOD FOREST ALONE!!!!

I as a Young Caymanian would like to have my children grow up an have a place like the Ironwood Forest that they can go an look at!!!! And even for my great and grand kids!!!! Jus for them to know wat is like back in da day wen i was growing in Cayma!!!! We all need to stand up for our heritage!!!! Make the Govenment see that we as a people will not stand for this new road being built!!!!

From:

Proud........But Concerned Young Caymanian

Brennita Jannie Powery

- Brennita Jannie Powery - PROUD CAYMANIAN!!!



- Adonza Hydes

Please preserve our heritage, do we really need this new road??  If we do, then the powers that be should put their collective heads together to come up with another way to do this road, WITHOUT destroying something BEAUTIFUL AND NATURAL that God has given us and Hurricane Ivan did NOT destroy!! 

Our children and future generations need the opportunity to live their history and not only learn bits and pieces about it! 

 

- Luanne Dunkley

We must preserve the little we have left of our beautiful Island!

Please let us all stick together for this worthy cause.   

Future generations must also have something to call home other than concrete buildings and fancy "political" roads.   

 

- Patricia "Patti" Edwards

How about dem Gov't peoples changing dem laws to make business hours staggered and fix dem buses dat deh have an on time route and we peoples can find a bus when we needs it!!

Cuz half dah time I see peoples cars parked home when deh nah working - so I don't see how come deh can't catch a ride to work??!!

People need to stop addin to dah problems and try helping!

Dah wha we need - Helping! We needs helping!!!

And it going to start right yah now - we'd my  own families!!!

So STOP BRINGING CARS FROM CHINA - CUZ IF DEH IS GETTIN RID OF DEARS - WHY BRING UM YAH?? Way wees gonna store dem? The bluff???

 Wake up peoples - Wake up!!!

 

- Uncle Bob

 

I kindly ask that Ironwood trees and the beautiful orchids be as endangered species of plants for our islands. Maybe there is a some way that the road can be constructed that it will not harm our natural beauty.

- Wilma C. Ebanks

They were put der fah a reason!!

Leave em alone and stop bringing in cars for awhile.

4 cars to 1 household!! Stupidity!

Tink about it?? Here's is one way people can support this - downsize on the number of vechicles they own.

Nothing wrong with showing off your success - but come on now - PEOPLE NEED TO DO MORE THAN JUST PROTEST - THEY NEED TO SET EXAMPLES TOO!!!!

Gov't needs to find a solution to control the number of cars and then maybe we will have the need for less roads!!!

- Aunt Jemimah

I am so proud to see the people of Cayman unite and stand up for their beliefs, it is long over due.  We can not sit back anymore and allow the destruction of our beautiful island to continue.  We have to take a stand so that our children and grand children and great grand children will not only hear of how Cayman 'use to be" but still be able to enjoy it in their times.

 

- Christina McLean

I think for such a small island as ours we already have enough roads. please keep something for our children and grand children to enjoy.

- Guillermina Ebanks



I kindly ask that the Ironwood trees and beautiful endangered species of plants, which are found in the Ironwood forest, continue to be fully protected. The proposed road can be constructed in such a way that it is skirting around the forest instead of running through the forest, so that my children and future grandchildren will be able to enjoy this unique forest, and learn about how important this type of forest was in our history, just as I have been able to do while I was growing up.  I also kindly ask that the speed limit of the new proposed road be limited to a safer speed of no more than 25 since it will be located so close to the schools and can pose great risks to our children (the future of Cayman). Thank you for giving me this opportunity to voice my concerns. - Lisa Thoppil



What the Government need to do is to reduce the amount of cars not the amount of trees, plant and animals.  Then we complain about the heat and busy hurracane seasons.  We have to remember that sooner or later, nature will claim it's place, when desaster comes the only one to blame is ourselves.  God help us. - Lily



Why is it that were are suppose to be all about saving and preserving our culture but looks like we would rather put a road through/beside it, to destroy it. This is something only found in one place in the world, not even anywhere else in Cayman, and we want to put a road through it.....Wake UP People!! Don’t we have enough roads that we are wasting so much money on right now that isn't making things any better besides doubling the line of traffic?! I would rather stay in traffic rather then tearing down something so unique and basically extinct. 

Concerned Young Caymanian

- Anthony Fraser

 

Please keep the ironwood forest and not destroy it.

- Gwendy Thompson

As a visitor to the Cayman Islands on a regular basis for almost 20 years, I urge you to protect the Ironwood Forest with whatever means possible.

Thanks.

- Ryan Young

When we get older we too would like to see that forests still exist and are not only a part of fairytales. 

At the moment all we see are Buildings, Buildings and more buildings.  Our mother tells us stories of the many trees and wildlife she saw when she was growing up.  Where have they all gone?  Please think of us before you destroy this wonderful forest.  We would like to see this forest too!!

- J'dayah Allen (15 months) & Jaden Allen ( 2 1/2 years)



Why arent people noticing that building roads straight through ironwood forests is destroying animals habitats and there could be all kinds of thing like rare species of plants - Elliot Vernon



Once this part of our heritage is lost it can never be regained. - Flynn Bush

I have come to the island for over twenty five years and cherish its unique ecosystem.  There surely must be a way to modify the path of the planned roadway so that it will not cut through the Ironwood forest. 

 

It would be tragic to trade this precious resource that cannot be replaced once it has been lost against short-sighted development. Cayman would have great appeal to many more tourists if it can become a model of smart and sustainable developement.

 

Catherine Michaud

19 Christopher Colombus Condos

West Bay Road

Grand Cayman

 

1 (781) 413 1244 

- Catherine Michaud

Greg and Arlene- you have no intention of preserving this ironwood forest. The reason you haven't already developed your property is that you cannot get road access to them. Once Arden pushes his road through, you think you are going to get access off the new road to your properties, and then you will develop out to about another 200+ condos and sell them to expats and this will make you rich just like everyone else. This is why you are screeching now because of the Lois Letter, because it she wins, you don;t get to develop your property. If Arden wins, you do.

Be careful, Arlene. If you force Greg into a higher priced sell-out, Arden will still get his roadway, but you won't get access off it, because National Roads Authority cna prevent any access off a new road if it screws up the traffic flow or is deemed dangerous. Look at OnTheRun in Redbay- they lost major business, and look at what Arden is doing with his median barriers. He and the Roads Authority can shut your development plans down so quick, you will have no option but to put boardwalks and sell tours to tourists.

- Cardigan Ya Enemy

In a time when preserving the environment is so essential, this road proposal through the Ironwood Forest is very distressing, and we hope those in power will reconsider and preserve this important forest. If not, it is just another nail in the coffin to distroy all that is natural about GC and to replace it with paved roads all over the island.

- Karen and Don Young

I am presently overseas and not quite sure of the exact location, but I feel that the proposed road should be rerouted altogether so that it does not cut across the Ironwood Forest.

I remember vividly a beautiful wooded area off South Church Street that I visited frequently as a child and sincerely hope that it is not this area.  This too should be protected.

I'll be in touch on my return to see the Ironwood Forest!

- Charmaine Cayasso

Hi, me again.Wife of the landowner of the 22 acres, Andrew MacGregor Yates.

Let's put this all in perspective.A letter appeared in the Compass from Ms. Blumenthal (April 14th, 2008). Mr. Tibbetts says in a press conference on Thursday, April 17th, 2008 that discussions have been held and all parties are in agreeance. What discussions?What parties?Certainingly not the landowner of Val's Ironwood Forest.A paid advertisement from the landowner appears in Compass on Friday, April 18th,2008 telling the Government and the Public that the land is not for sale with some other important information. The landowner is then asked to come to a meeting on Monday,April 21st, 2008.He recieves this call late Friday afternoon,April 18th.We go to meeting on Monday where Government is told that for the single largest landowner in the area and where they are proposing to put the road , he had been treated like he did not exist.They were also told again that the land was Not For Sale and that if the road was really necessary then put it by the Low Cost Housing Scheme on the North Boundary but smaller as the Government insists on taking ALL the land for the road from Mr. Yates' and not split with the other landowners in the area as it should be thus causing the least damage.But Governments cry was that this would be so much more expensive and they'd have to destroy homes in the process. The cost of the reconstruction of a few homes is minimal compared to the loss of this priceless forest that can't be recreated by mankind.  We were also given a map of the Proposed Road.Government was told that the landowner would study the map and they could meet again in the future. Mr. McLean on Talk Today on Radio Cayman on Wednesday, April 23rd, talking about the road, wanting to set the matter straight.  Landowner calls in to programme and has his say saying basically what he's been saying all along, land not for sale, landowner treated as if he didn't figure in any of this, etc. Press Conference held on Thursday, April 24th, Mr. McLean saying they'd go to the Governor to get the land. Landowner on television telling a bit of his side of the story on Friday, April 25th @ 6 PM. In that broadcast the reporter says they've talked to the Governor who says he's not going to get involved.  My question is, Who do they want this land for? Be you assured its not to preserve. Perhaps a cricket pitch?  I think there's some ulterior motive at work here.

Yes by all means let's gather on the Glass House lawn on Wednesday, April 30th to protest the destruction of Val's Ironwood Forest but we must protest the placing of the road as well. I need to let the Public know that any destruction that has gone on to that property has not been by the landowner, he hasn't even removed o top out of it.  The destruction that has gone on has occured because Government put a buldozer into Block 15B, Parcel 66 sometime between 2003 and now,  bees stung the operator who abandoned the machine and then it ran into  UCCI because it was unattended. Government has started to buldoze down on the South end of the property, Block15C, Parcel 1 now as well. Plants and trees endemic to this piece of land have been removed by various entities. If I was to go on to someone's Private Property and take anything then I'd be in Court for trespassing and stealing.  Is this any different?  I think not.

The bottom line is this.  The land is NOT FOR SALE. Not to anyone. The landowner just wants to be left alone. This property is his heritage, his children's heritage and hopefully their children's as well. He is quite capable of preserving it and looking after it. By all means protest the destruction of Val's Ironwood Forest and we are very happy to see and hear that indeed there are people out there who realise that once this is destroyed it can never be replaced, but they must also be aware that the landowner has no intention of selling this land or giving it to anyone to manage for him. He simply wants Government to treat him like who is, a Caymanian whose family line goes back a long, long way.His roots are buried here very deep and no one is going to shake that. Respect his wishes and rights. 

So by all means let's protest the destruction of Val's Ironwood Forest and the present alignment of the road but understand also what is really going on here as well. Government is trying to intimidate a Caymanian to give up his heritage and it not going to go so.

So in the words of the late Robert Nestor Marley,

    Get up, Stand up, Stand up for your rights,

    Don't give up the fight now.

 This is exactly what we intend to do. Let's all stand up and be counted because who knows that it wont be you they come after next. 

- Arlene Yates

GO AROUND, WE HAVE VERY LIMITED RESORCES AND DESTROYING THEM TO MAKE A ROAD IS JUST NOT RIGHT.

FIND ANOTHER ROUTE...

- CAROL BUSBY



It's beautiful, like a miracle... - shruty garrison

Regrettably you are blessed with mindless, greedy and stupid politicians in GC. Impetus for the road will come from the shareholders of the construction companies and landowners who benefit from the purchase of the land concerned (coincidentally - also Government Ministers and their cronies).

The real problem is the appalling service provided by the taxis and buses on Island - not the shortsighted building of more roads to line politicians pockets. 

Indeed, it is amazing that it is Caymanians  who are hell bent on destroying their own Island still further. 

The very concept of sustainable tourism is completely alien to the fools and frauds in Government.

Take a look at the every increasing destruction of SMB, the litter and filth on North Side beaches, the lethal wooden bridge to the blow holes and now the destruction of the Ironwood Forest.

I just hope that someone develops a spine in this country and exposes the corruption that is driving this  project and open the eyes of the nation to see the phenomenal speed at which you are destroying your home and your future.

Imagine the foresight of a hop-on and hop-off tram service along SMB and South Sound - or just a plain simple subsidized regular bus service at a realistic fare rate.

There are tens of solutions to this problem - but unfortunately, the greed of the idiots precludes any possible consideration of them.

Its sad..........just very sad.

 

- Concerned Brit

That's  the website - no link here - caymannewsservice . com

- Annie B.



Check out www.caymannewsservice.com - Annie B.



JUST LEAVE THE FOREST THE WAYS IT IS!!!  WE DONT NEED ANY MORE ROADS IN THAT AREA - Dean Kelly



Please protect these unique and vital natural resources before it is too late.   - PROUD CAYMANIAN

PLEASE DONOT KILL THE IRONWOOD FOREST THE PLANTS AND ANIMALS WANT TO LIVE TOO!!!!!!

- TERRY



 we need to conserve some of the Cayman that we all know and love for other to get to know and love. - Sophia Bryan



Does anyone know the proposed location of the route, and has any come up with an alternative solution to propose for the traffic? - R BLOODWORTH

The Goverment of the Cayman Islands have made up their minds and this road will proceed on dispite all those who oppose of the destruction of our Cayman heritage. WHEN WILL WE WAKE UP CAYMAN?????????

- George town for life

It seems our  cayman heritage we have lost that a long time agout . prosperity have cost us our caymanian heritage and we cant blame no one but our selfish greedy ways

- Garth Powell

I may not be residing in Cayman at this time but Cayman is still my home and I want to stand with my fellow Caymanians in preserving our beautiful island.

Darlene Dawkins

- Darlene Myles-Dawkins



In this changing world, I feel that the Cayman Islands should stand up and be reconized for the preservation of our natural resources. We're aiming for saving our culture, why not save a peice of Cayman herself. - Theodore Kelly Jr.



Lets get our priorities straight, its our world, its about time we start treating it like our home!! - Sabrina Sheridan



Please protect this important and beautiful piece of Cayman. - Kristie Day



Enough is enough... - Richard Goulden



It would be a shame to destroy something that is truly CAYMANIAN. - Crystal Hennings

We as caymanians need to understand the concept of 'sustainable development'.

We can no longer afford to continue this ill-advised development at the expense of our Island's beauty! Since Hurricane Ivan this Island has lost its aesthetic appeal and we've done nothing to change this; we've only worsened it.

- Brian Whittaker

We lost enough trees in Ivan. We certainly need to preserve what we have left. I am away from home in school in the United States, and I am amazed an saddened to see that Grand Cayman is fastly becoming the "concrete jungle" that I loath and want to leave behind in the States. Please do not do this. We have to preserve Our heritage, Our history.

Very concerned young Caymanian

- Sonya Scott

I think were forgetting where “natural environment” has brought our island. However, this develops a conflict against the different cultures that visit these places on a daily basis (Locals & Tourists). Where will our island be in the next 10 years from now? We as “locals” need to come together. Some of us forget where we come from and is just seeing the part of money making thing. Remember if we take away everything from our island we won’t have these places to visit anymore as well as to protect us when hurricane season comes around.

                               

Please re-think your decisions!!

 

- Joyann Martin



WILL NOTHING STOP THIS MAN? HE IS A BULL IN A CHINA SHOP! EAST END CITIZENS, LET HIM KNOW THAT THIS WILL AFFECT HIS RE-ELECTION! GT CITIZENS, CALL KURT WITH THE SAME MESSAGE! - East End Citizens

I think that if Hurricane Ivan never destroyed this valuable piece of our history then we should find a way to protect it as God did during that terrible time.

Let us all come together as one man and stand up for NO ROAD GOING THROUGH this precious part of our island.

May God continue to bless the Cayman Islands!

Cynthia Scott

- Cynthia Scott

We should all possible to save this forest,we can't loose something like this.

Regards,

William Peguero

- william R.Peguero



I think that the development of this area will take away from the natural beauty of the Island which is one of the reasons that I fell in love with the island and still continue to visit a couple of times a year.  The is more to Grand Cayman than SMB and that is the part of the island which has escaped being over develped by western companies that care less about the enviornment and more about the dollar.  If this is allowed to happen it will be a sad sad day for not only caymans deicate ecosystem but for the caymanian people and all the tourists who visit every year.  Is it really that important to save a couple of minitues during a commute or is it more important to embrace the island and the way of life which has thrived there for hundreds of years.  - Samuel Charlton



PRESERVE our heritage!! - sheila woods



I enjoy the beautiful flora of Cayman and support its protection. - Jordan Claxton

This Island is beautiful and it's been builted already so much. We really need to preserve as much green as possible otherwise we'll going to roast and next hurricane'll wash out everything either us!

Thank you,

 Carla

- Carla Peressini



Development is a must but please preserve our envoirment as i do believe that is one of the major reason for so many damages when natural disasters happens.   - Randal Ballentine



GREEN - Save our Planet Save our Island... There has been ENOUGH damage to our island. THEY destroyed the mangroves now they want to take our trees. What is wrong with these people? ALL THEY HAVE ARE DOLLAR SIGNS IN THEIR EYES. There is not much left to our island... WHY!!!? It REALLY saddens me that Cayman used to be the Island time forgot now it is the island they won't leave alone. - Melinda Bush, North Side

 

                                          Our Voice

It is evident that new road expansion projects do not and will not ease our escalating problem of traffic congestion.  Not only are they costly but we as Caymanians pay the price.  Our land mass is not expanding hence other control methods must be explored.   Protection and preservation of this delicate ecosystem must NOT be ignored.  We depend on our environment for survival and it depends on us to ensure its longevity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  - Melanie Elysie Lewis, 23

We don't need anymore roads if it is going to affect the lives of so many people. What government need to do is give all this money that is spent unnecessary to the people of the country to help them get homes to live in instead of trailer homes. It would benefit the country a whole lot if people can have there own homes but the only thing is that the rental market will go down....something has too. We also need Government to focus more on the Youths that are growing up and try to provide a better education for them instead of them having to go off island for the education that they need. For the families who can't afford to send there children away it would benefit them to stay in there own country and excel.  

SAVE THE IRONWOOD FOREST!!!! DON'T LET UR HERITAGE GET LOST!!!

- Theresa Owen



Don't cut down the forest, it's a vital part of preserving our culture. - Adrean Russell



Though I have not investiagted the statements made here, if they prove to be accurate, I firmly support re-routing the road.
- David Allen Bodden



We must preserve the God-given natural beauty of our Islands. Some things are much too precious to discard. If we don't take a stand, who will? I hope everyone who visits this site will add their name in support.    - Casandra Barnett

Each successive Government that comes into power seems bent on destroying our ANTIQUITY in the name of Progress.

They have received thousands of letters from tourists saying the reason they came and continued to come to our Island was because it was different. They did not want to see another Miami. Sad to say some of those same letters said that after coming here for several years they would no longer be returning. HAS ANY ONE LISTENED TO THESE COMMENTS?  NO!!!

I am one of the older Caymanians (who spent a great part of my adult life abroad) and it is really disturbing to see all that has been destroyed in the name of progress. When I was younger, I remember hearing the story of a Caymanian Seaman returning home and was asked how he liked all the changes in the Island. His answer was, “I see a lot of changes but no improvements”.  It’s the same today.

PLEASE LET US TRY TO IMPROVE OUR ISLAND’S HERITAGE BY KEEPING WHAT WE HAVE.

 

Mrs. Z. G. Bodden

- Z.G.Bodden



I am the wife of the owner,Andrew MacGregor Yates,of those 22 acreas of land where Government is Proposing to put the road.My husband is not against the road if it is needed but he would like it to be done so that there is minimum damage.The road if built does not need to be of the magnitude that is proposed.It could be 2 lanes with a turning lane and the money saved by Govt. could then be used to reroute it to the North around the Housing Project since that is the cry from Govt. about the cost.The fact of the matter about this whole thing is that he was treated as if he did not exist in any of this.I guess he must be like one of those ghost orchids that has been removed,illegally I might add, from the property.That property is Private and anyone who has been on it has been trespassing and anyone who has removed anything from it is stealing.My husband is quite capable of preserving His Heritage and does not need anyone to do it for him although it is encouraging to see and hear that people are in support of saving it.But the point is that Val's Ironwood Forest has an owner who does not want it destroyed but neither will he stand for it to be taken away  from him.Government can acquisition what they want for the road  and if they acquisition for anything else they will have to do so from the other landowners in the area as well.What he would like to make very clear to the public is that Val's Ironwood Forest is Not For Sale at any price and that he,as  a Caymanian, is very capable of preserving it for future generations. - Arlene Yates



Reducing the speed limit is not the issue, it's the road actually being put there that's the problem. - Kristin Jackson



There has to be another way.  Where there is a will there is a way.  Minister Arden McLean and Cabinet need to heed the voice of the people.  They would not have to build so much arterial roads and destroy this valuable asset to our island andis ecology if they would have build an express way over our east to west main road.  All the round abouts stretch out to miles and miles road that could have been used in an express way.  With all the arterials and round abouts the traffic still botlenecks in Red Bay, so really the only purpose that has been served is the opening up of vacant bulk properties for future residential developments (much to the benefit of foreign land purchasers who will not have to go to the expense of building access roads to their properties nor will the vendor have to give up footage/acerage for these access roads. Yes some arterials are needed to open up bulk land but they need to put this one to vote.  I sincerely believe there is another solution. Too many trees are being destroyed.  They produce oxygen for the human race and all the animal species. They eat up carbon monoxide so we do not die from pollution. So lets put this to vote. - ANDREA A. CALDERON



I think that this Government that was elected is disgusting. There they go again trying to destroy everthing "Caymanian" all in the name of the Almighty Dollar. They need to stop wasting money on new roads, I really think that we have enough already. Instead use that money thet have budgeted for something of more use i.e new parks, helping those that are still affected by the devastion caused by Ivan. Please leave the Ironwood Forest alone. Our children and also grandchildren need to grow up knowing what their heritage is all about! - Kara Rankine



We need to think about the long-term outcome rather than the short-term. - Markeisha Myles



Let's explore all options and keep all green areas that we have here.  Roads cannot protect us from certain disasters, but trees can. - Errol Constantine



This forest should not be destroyed for more roads but to made accessible as a tourist attraction.  There are more options to expand the road surface.  Why not use some fly overs for some high traffic sections.  I do not believe the engineers are doing a great job as it would appear that the vision is not long term.  Why not built a road across the sea, running along the south sound or north sound coast?  The NRA needs overseas expert with the "knock" for building roads in water.  Maybe the govt could charge toll for those roads as it will be an investment in the long-term development of the island.  Something to consider. - Juliet Constantine



I have a eleven year old daugter and one day when we were going for a drive she was so much enjoying the scenery on the South Sound stretch. She said "Mommy when I get your age do you think that it will look the same?" Of course I said "With the way things are going I don't think so." Then she said "Who should I write to ask them to stop building so many buildings and roads?" We were enjoing looking at the ducks and we saw a dead iguana on the side of the road and she felt that his home was being taken from him why he has to be seen all the time on the road. It is really sad that Some of the people of Cayman are willing to lose their "ISLAND" for a "MINI CITY". If Cayman could defend it's self it probably would want to sink away from all the greed. We are a island and that's what should be kept in mind. If our younger generation can even notice and share thier feelings it's really sad. Much more so that they are the ones who are going to be left behind in a "mini city" where only pictures and stories will give them an idea of The Cayman Islands. - Betsy Lopez

I totally concur that this forest needs to be preserved. we have already lost too much. Everthing Caymanian is disappearing right before our very eyes.  The indigenous and beautiful flora and fauna in this woodland needs to saved forever.

Considering the world's deepening food shortages, is there any suitable and worthwhile amount of land left , on which to grow food? We all need to remember WE CANNOT EAT MONEY.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Alice Jane Ebanks



I we need to conserve some of the Cayman that we all know and love for other to get to know and love. - Sophia Bryan



All of the Mangroves are being distroyed. This is a small Islands it's not expanding just getting over crowded - Nidia McLaughlin



Many an old-timer will tell you that all of George Town was once a forest. George Town had some of the biggest mahogany trees in Cayman. So big, the biggest man could not put his arms around one. If one reads some of the transcripts in the oral history department at the National Archive, one will learn that the great shipbuilders of the past got many of their choice pieces of wood from the George Town forests.

Though these facts still interest me, most of it is just dead history now, because there is nary a mahogany left in George Town. I mean, unless you can remember what George Town looked like in the old days; you probably could not imagine that anything other than a struggling palm tree ever existed.

So, where are all the trees - the natives ones, not the exotic and imported? Well, the ship builders are not to blame for their total disappearance. I believe a combination of poor development and apathy is at fault. In Cayman we have a habit of mowing everything down before we build, and unfortunately there is no law to stop indiscriminate land clearing. All the Planning Law requires is for people to get permission for land clearance by mechanical means. But the penalties for breaking this provision are so low, most don’t bother. There is also a tree preservation order, but look around and you will see that it is rarely put into practice.

A friend once told me about the struggle she faced saving an old-growth forest on the property she was developing. Even though she flagged the trees she wanted to save, the men driving the bulldozer knocked a few down each day they came. In the end she took to babysitting the trees every day, until the construction of her home was complete. Due to her efforts her yard is sheltered by a canopy of beautiful trees that one can sit under in height of noon without even breaking a sweat.

What my friend was trying to do was develop her property in a sustainable way. Unfortunately sustainable development is only a buzzword here, because we just do not do it. Many other countries do it and do it well, because developing sustainably is not impossible, it just requires a little effort and some progressive planning. Developing sustainably means that you keep some of the natural environment to complement your surroundings, and also reduce the energy you waste on water and landscaping.

So, that brings me to the Ironwood Forest behind the University College. A multi-lane highway is currently slated to go through the middle of this last bit of forest in George Town. I believe this is a real opportunity to demonstrate some progressive planning. I believe the Ironwood Forest is worth protecting. Trees are not only important to our natural environment but they also give us a sense of place and history. I remember looking out of a window in the Glass House - staring out at an old tree in the grounds. My boss explained to me that the tree I was marvelling at was there when he was a boy. He played under that same tree. Now that’s history. If left to be a part of our lives, trees can tell our stories and provide us with a living history. Our history need not exist only in books. The Ironwood Forest is also part of our unique story - some of the plants and trees in that forest are found no where else on the island, or the rest of the world. So, given its uniqueness, should we not elevate the buzzwords and bring sustainable development into action? Can we not find a better route for that road?

I am a 32-year old Caymanian who enjoys the natural environment as much as I do the everyday conveniences of modern day life.

Satina DaCosta-Cottam - Satina DaCosta-Cottam



We have enough roads already.  Other methods of managing growth and transportation needs to be explored.   I prefer to know that my grand-kids and and their off-spring can have the opportunity to explore and enjoy nature in the Cayman Islands than to cover most of the surface of Grand Cayman with paved surfaces. - Wayne DaCosta



If this continues, Cayman will be just like Miami---developed along the beaches with interior traffic and lost of the history, personality, and heritage that makes Cayman so special. - David DiGiovanni



Give our children and their children a chance to keep a piece of thier heritage as they have already lost so much.
- Viviana Ebanks



The information in the news regarding the Ironwood Forest at the moment is very misleading. And there is actually reason to 'panic'.

1) As of today, the Govt is still intending to put the road through the middle of the Ironwood Forest.

2) The alternative 'environmentally friendly' route which has been proposed to run the road along the northern periphery of the forest has not been accepted.

3) The information in the paper given by the Deputy MD of the NRA is very misleading. He states that the road has been arched to mostly skirt or border 'the area' - I am not sure which area he is actually referring to but the road he is referring to still runs through the middle of the forest and does not skirt it as his statement suggests.

“The roundabout has been removed from that section of road and we’ve arched it as far as we possibly can, without compromising safety, making the roadway mostly skirt or border the area,” he continued.

The road as is gazetted runs along the southern border of Mr Gregory Yates parcels (15C1, 15B67) which is still the middle of the forest. The 'environmentally friendly' proposed re-routing would instead run it along the northern edge of those parcels ie the northern edge of the forest. BUT this is not what the NRA intend to do. They plan to run it on the southern border of 15C1 and 15B67 - through the middle of the forest. Sorry to be repetitive.

3) The currently gazetted road would cut off the area of dry forest (15B371) where the rare species (e.g. ghost orchid & old georeges) are mostly found from the wetland/swamp areas in the northern section of the forest. These rare species are critically dependant on the moisture in the forest which is generated from the wetlands and kept in the forest by the constant canopy of tress between the dry forest and swamp areas. Essentially, putting the road through the middle of it would alter the ecosystems in the forest (moisture, light etc) to such a degree that it is likely that Old George would not be able to survive and go extinct.

4) Money. Why there is apparently 'Little or no option'. Re-routing the road to the northern periphery of the forest would add app 400 meters to the road length. People who have professional knowledge of road construction that I've spoken with, find it totally unconvincing that it would cost another $7 to 10 million to add 400m to the road (1/4 mile or once around the track). The entire gazetted road, app 900 meters, would cost $7m. You do the math.

5) The proposal to re-route the road also suggests that the road which is slated to be a 4 lane 40 mph highway (btw the entire length of road ie between the Linford Pierson roundabout and Walkers Rd is 0.6 miles - imagine accelerating 40 miles an hour on this very short stretch straight onto Walkers Rd full of school children) BE CHANGED to a 2 lane scenic 25 mph parkway - not only less expensive to build, but safer for the thousands of children who go to school in the area AND a significantly minimized environmental impact.

I strongly urge you all to do something - whatever you are comfortable doing - anything and everything will help at this point. I understand that there will be a public meeting organized shortly if the government does not significantly alter its plans. Go out to that, or send Arden an email arden.mclean @gov .ky , or email or talk to your family, friends, coworkers. Anything.

The only thing that will stop this forest being destroyed is the public ie YOU taking a stand. - Ellie K.

What would this life be without the beauty we see around us?

We are blessed to live in a country where we could wake up and walk out to the scenery of the sun rising from the east over the caribbean sea. See the beautiful plants and behold the beauty of greenery aroud us.

IF WE COULD ALL REFLECT ON THE STATE OF OUR COUNTRY BACK IN 2004 AFTER THE DEVASTATION OF HURRICANE IVAN, WE WOULD REMEMBER THE SIGHT OF A COUNTRY WITHOUT COLOR, WITHOUT LIFE. I REMEMBER DRIVING ALONG THE ROADS IN THE DAY AND THAT WHICH WAS APPARENT WAS OBVIOUSLY THE DESTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES.

HEY!!! WITH THE RESTORATION OF ALL. THE ONLY THING THAT GAVE LIFE AND A SENSE OF NEW BEGINING, WAS THE SIGHT OF TREES AND PLANTS BIRTHING NEW GREENS FOR US TO SEE.

IT'S ONE THING FOR US TO EXPERIENCE NATURAL DISASTERS AND LOOSE THE GREEN AROUND US, KNOWING THAT THE POSSIBILITY THAT NATURE WOULD REPLENISH ITSELF AND ANOTHER TO WILFULLY CAUSE THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BEAUTY WE HAVE THAT REMINDS US HOW BEAUTIFUL LIFE IS AMONG THE BLAND ROADS, BUILDINGS ETC.

I am this close to eloping from a country I once vowed I would never leave.

 

 

- Sylvia Wilks

Through continued positive efforts of communication with our leaders, we will all be able to embrace a greener solution, sooner than we thought.

Let's preserve our today, for tomorrow.

Best regards, Ricardo

- Ricardo H. Dabrio



God put it there, leave it there! - Renee Parsons



I am sure that creative designers can accomodate both the needs of transportation as well as protecting this rare tropical location.  Most enjoy a challange and I am sure they are up to it. - James M. Miller

iron wood is an indemic plant to the cayman islands. it is a legacy and should be treated as such. To distroy the forest would be distroying the little bit of real cayman we have left.

Protect the iron wood forest please.

- Jodi-Ann Tater

Why not finish using all the empty flat land available before cutting down Nature and destroying the environment. Cayman, please keep your island as plesant as it is, why not spend the road money on a walking path through the forest, not destroy it.

Michael Depper

- Michael Depper

I would very much prefer for them to STOP and Consider the devastation that they will cause.  But at the end of the day they will do what they want to do, just like everything else they have done and is still doing on these Islands.  Hezlin Whittaker-Downs

- Hezlin WHITTAKER-DOWNS

 

Once it is gone, you can never get it back.

- Simon Dodkins



just look at the problem from the positive side dont do anything you all regrets dont kill the ironwood forest leave it for the future generation.amen - primrose clarke



It is important that we preserve Caymans natural beauty as it is what makes Cayman distinct and a part of our nations history. - Stephanie Dilbert

PLEASE DONOT KILL THE IRONWOOD FOREST THE PLANTS AND ANIMALS WANT TO LIVE TOO!!!!!!

 

- TERRY



Unfortunately it doesnt matter how many people sign their names to this petition. This safe haven to so many creatures and plants will still be torn down. I hope that all who is involved in the destruction of the Ironwood forest think about how this will affect "Cayman" in the years to come. What will we leave for the next generation to see with their own eyes? How would they feel if someone destroyed their homes- i know that birds and plants can "feel" the way we do but they play an important part in our environment. REMEMBER, GLOBAL WARMING IS VERY REAL - Faith Powery

Cayman has seen too much development in recent years in my opinion. Progress is not everything. I'm tired of seeing the concrete buildings everywhere. it's difficult for my children to obtain property now much less my grand children. THE BUILDING HAVE TO STOP!!! Development has taken over our Island. Enough is enough, too much of Cayman's natural beauty and environment has been sacrificed already. I personally don't see the need for all these 2 x 2 lanes and round abouts anyway, it certainly doesn't help with traffic...and this is evident with the new red-bay road in the mornings 7:30 - 8:30 am and 4:30 - 6:00 pm in the evenings.

I'm not only ashamed of the present Government but all governments before this one because this problem didn't just start four years ago.

- Sue J.



Does anyone know the proposed location of the route, and has any come up with an alternative solution to propose for the traffic? - Russell Bloodworth



We need to preserve as much of our flora and fauna as we can and here is a good opportunity to do so.  Sometimes I feel that we're slowly being stripped of everything we hold dear as a country.  I'm saddened to know that our government would even consider putting a road through this area.  So much of our mangroves have been destroyed already........when will it all stop!! Please people, you must come up with an alternative route for this road! Preserving our culture should also include preserving things such as the ironwood forest.  What will we have left to show our children/grandchildren? Wake up and think about what is best for Cayman and Caymanians for a change. - Celene Crance

we are alway talking about saving cayman Culture and Heritage why should this be any different. we need to have things around for our kids to see and apprecite that we have such a beautiful island. we need to stop and look around and see what is important to us.

please Leave the Ironwood Forest alone!!!!! 

- oakley



If we need to take up a collection to reroute road,or whatever,please someone contact Honor,mgr.of the Sovereign.tks. - Bob Williams



If required I am prepared to show my support in additional ways than simply adding my signature to this petition. - Lee Maragh



If required I am prepared to show my support in additional ways than simply my signature. - Lee Maragh



I agree with Pam Parson - Linda Kilby

I feel it is of atmost importance for us to ensure that we protect anything that is historic of Cayman. Least the Cayman we all have grown to know will be only memories in our minds and hearts,

So I give my full support for this venture and I am willing to assist where needed.

Address: P.O. Box 289 Grand Cayman KY1-1501

Kind Regards

Alicia Connolly

- Alicia Connolly

It is high time the current government realize that "Heritage" and "Culture" cannot be revived once destroyed. Grand Cayman has fast become a little Miami and sooner than later, it will be relized that there is no more culture. Perhaps if the Minister for Roads and Culture took a trip to other places such as Quito Ecuador and Punta Cana Dominican Republic the see the vast amount of culture they'd protect what little Cayman has left. Caymanians like myself wonder why they cannot see that Cayman is no more than a concrete jungle without culture . When will they realize that no amount of road building will solve traffic issues on this island...look to Bermuda for the proven solution.....a vehicle moratorium!!!!

It is in my opinion that a a call on the Governor be made to request on behalf of the people of the Cayman Islands that this piece of cultural history be preserved.

- TANNYA M. MORTIMER

Once the new schools are built in the other districts, traffic in this area will be cut down considerably. Why bother to spend money we don't have to build a road that we aren't going to really need once traffic is disbursed to other districts? If Government would stop paving roads and spending money foolishly, the schools could be finished sooner and the whole Ironwood Forest debate wouldn't be an issue.  We've suffered with awful traffic for this long, why not wait 2 more years and preserve our natural surroundings? As usual, Government is thinking about today and not the future. Think ahead MLA's and look at the bigger picture for once.

- Pam Parsons



See latest post from Ellie on www.marlroad.com - Johnny B

The land owner actually put an ad. in Friday's Compass ( I think it was Friday).  He stated that the land was in his family for generations, and he has no intention of changing that now.  Unfortunately, as far as I know, the Government can take the land that they "need", and compensate the land owner in their own time. 

I made a huge mistake of helping vote this Government in, and now I regret it to no end.  They are spending millions of our dollars on roads and buildings, and can't see what they should be spending it on are people.  The new high schools will be built, yet the same teachers and children with the same problems will go to them.  Children and Family Services are experiencing budget cuts, but yet roads will be built. 

I am not saying Government should limit the amount of cars on the Island, because I know I wouldn't want to be one of those people depending on no mini-bus to get me to work on time - not to mention waiting by the side of the road to get to Smyles with my little girl!  However, I think there are better ways to do things- more progressive ways, such as staggered times for employees to get to work, and staggered school starting times.  These methods work in countries with 10 times more population than Cayman, why can't we just open our eyes and see that there is some benefit to us as well.  As a teacher, I would rather have 15 children in my class from 7:30-11:30 and another 15 from 12:00-4:00 than have 30 kids all day long.  We would get so much more accomplished, and the kids would be able to learn socialisation and life skills better in small groups.  Why my people, why can't we just think about things like that that would cost so much less money, and in my opinion make so much more of an impact that building roads? 

As far as I am concerned, that East-West Arterial that was just built is a pile of crap.  Why didn't they just add another East Bound lane coming up from Hurleys through Savannah?  Then with staggered start times for work, our problems would have been solved!  Anyway, don't mind me, I am just a lowly teacher, using all my energy to convince a starving 5 year old that his mommy will have supper for him when he goes home - even though Children and Family Services cancelled his breakfast and lunch voucher at school!  But - YOU GO LITTLE BOY - you sure did ride to school on a smooth new road!

- C Bennett

There soon won't be any trees left in Cayman, all the forests, mangroves and other trees will soon be gone and replaced by concrete buildings and roads. Cayman will be one of the hottest places on earth - they are filling in the ponds and all the wetlands - they are certainly not going to get the tourists coming to the 'concrete (jungle) oops.. desert'!

Since they are building new schools in the districts  should that not cut down on some of the traffic coming into Town??? Why not wait until the schools are built before making all these urgent decisions about cutting down the few trees we have left? Hope GOD spares us from another bad  hurricane. The rich people don't care - they can always run!!  

 

ed 

- Annadean Ebanks

I doesn't take a rocket scentist to know that all you need to do to solve the traffic problem is to just place a cap on the number of cars that are imported into the island. Here is another example of how the powers that be spend money, and simply destroy the island in order to progress! What a load of rubbish!

I would like to know how this road is going to help my son progress??

Here is a suggestion to our so call governement. I say those that are not from here, do not need to come here, and all of us TRUE CAYMANIANS don't need to go no where! This would surely solve ALL the problems of the Cayman Islands.

We TRUE CAYMAIANS only want to live a simple life anyway.

I also beg all the TRUE CAYMANIANS to stop voting for the governement, becasuse as far as I can see, they are not ministering these islands, rather administering to their waist lines and filling their bank accounts!

I do hope that this survey will stop the construction of this road.

I  am thankful that we still are able to speak out on this matter, because remember when the government passes that  so call bill of rights, all of us TRUE CAYMANIANS will no longer have any rights. It will be so bad that we will be told by expats, foreigners (which ever class you want to call them) on where we can and can't spit!

I saw, this is our dirt, and we were here first and what do you say about that!

Leave the Ironwood Forest alone!!!!! 

Another new road will not feed our TRUE CAYMANIAN children! 

 

 

 

 

 

- Stephanie Beaudet - A true born Caymanian

I agree with William McTaggart Jr. , Cathy Church and Mat DaCosta-Cottam if it is established for "Eco Tourism" that it be done on a very limited basis. If Government does go ahead with a road around the Ironwood Forest l hope they atleat listen to Mr. Fred Burton.

Paul Nixon 

 

 

 

- Paul Nixon



I think the suggestion of having a scenic route (with a very low maximum speed is also very essential ), if no alternate route can be found. - Laura Anderton

Although I'm a Bracker and it may not affect me or my family's interest immediately, it will affect my country and my fellow Caymanians.  It is a shame that prosperity comes at the expense of heritage and the environment.

My Jewish forefathers once said;

"Islands so small should be right with themselves, the earth and of course Yahweh (God).  But it's painfully evident that they could learn a lot from us (Jews) when we tend to follow  our own selfish motives, failures and destruction, larger than you think, becomes inevitable.

Shalom

- Ralston V. Dilbert

The Cayman Islands stores some of the greatest gifts of God. I am a student at the John Gray High School and I think destroying Cayman's wild life is not only destroying our culture but also limiting the acess of nature to the Island's youth. PLEASE KEEP CAYMAN, CAYMAN.

- Shaneil Vassell



Surely we can preserve the finer and more precious parts of this beautiful Island and with good and careful planning move with the times too.  This area will be gone forever, never to be recovered again, if the road goes through it.  We can go around it with the road or put the road somewhere else.  We should treasure this area for future Caymanians.  Please re-consider the plans to run a road through this area and find another way. - Wendy Nixon



When will government understand that no matter how many roads that are built or redsigned there will always be traffic.  Unless they improve the public transport on the island making it more reliable and efficient.  Or put a restriction on the amount of cars a) that are allowed on the island each year or b) per household or person.  London has over a hundred roads leading into it and, shockingly(!), they still have traffic.  Granted that London is way larger than Cayman, they developed the M25, which circles London at a 25mile radius and they still have a problem with traffic on that!  When will the government stop?  Until every available space is paved with a road?  Has the elected members of government been to areas such as Prospect and Savannah between 7:30am and 8:30am?  There is still traffic!  Even with all those roads, there is still traffic!  I beg the government not to scacrifice indangered species plus a piece of history just for the sake of a road!  I am young Caymanian and I am scared to think of what Cayman will look like by the time my generation comes to power.  I just hope and pray it is something that we can fix or repair.   - Catharine Hetley



Please read what Jennifer Felder has to say, she makes some very interesting and true points! - SARAH HETLEY



I would like to see our Government take more steps and precautions to save our natural beauties, heritage and wildlife.  It is important not only to the people of Cayman, but to the world on a whole.  We need to preserve our environment for generations to come and to help cut back on pollution.  Cayman may be small, but we NEED to do our part to help make the world a better place. - SARAH HETLEY

I am proud to sign my name for this cause.  We need to fight to save our beautiful Island because if we don't fight no one else will.

- Erika Conolly



Development on our island should not be to the extent that nothing indigenous is left to enjoy throughout our generations. Soon we will definitely yield to the slogan " The islands that time forgot" for even it's people are an endangered species. - Laurice Fraser

We need to keep what little of Cayman vegetation there is left, ALIVE!!!!!  It's disgusting to see all of the development that is happening!!  And it's not just the foreigners doing it either!!!! It breaks my heart to see what we all grew up with & around, wont be there for our children to see....It's bad enough that our real culture & heritage is fading and not being carried down to the next generation, but to see our ACTUAL ISLAND disappear before our eyes, is oh so terribly sad and incredibly heart wrenching......

- Leah Gibbs



When will the eradication of our history stop? Protection by our Government of such areas is of great historic relevants, & has to be implimented ASAP. Places like 'Red Spot' in GT, where for many years local fishermen clean & sell there fish for an honest & honorable living. - Sean Evans



We need to preserve our natural treasures.  there are far toomany high rises here.  West Bay Beach is a concrete jungle.  The mere fact that this beautiful forest has survived in the middle of George town is a miracle and should be treasured.  We as Caymanians have already lost too much to so called progress.  Where there is a will there is away, there must be a different route that can be used.  Please, Caymanians stand up for your heritage! - Mary Trumbach

we really don't need any more concrete jungles ....

- Cherrie A-M Graham

I agree with the comment that gaining a road at the expense of our natural and cultural heritage is not progress. 

The very fact that plants exist only in this forest in the entire world makes the thought of running a road through the middle of it obscene. 

- Pat Nicholson



Hopefully government will listen to this petition.  Its really a shame that every time something Caymanian needs to be preserved the Caymanian people are not listened to - all for the sake of progress!!!!! - Lester & Lenie Hulse

let us try and preserve the little that is left of our Island

- Jacqueline Stirling



I think we need to preserve as much of nature (or rather our natural resourses); frankly I'm sick and tired of seeing a lot of bull-dozed areas that were otherwise had healthy and growing plants.  I live progress, but not at the cost of our natural environment which is too precious for us to erase! - David Mitchell



It would be far easier to take the time to listen to concerned citizens now than it will be to replace a forest lost in the very rush and avarice it is meant to be sanctuary from. - Jeff MacLarty



It would be far easier to take the time to listen to concerned citizens now than it will be to replace a forest lost in the very rush and avarice it is meant to be sanctuary from. - Jeff MacLarty

Thoughts to consider, why would we want to destroy the only species in the world to build roads?

If it was possible it should be treated like the Botonical park sectioned off and protected to view but without harm to the environment. 

sincerely,

Miriam 

 

 

- Miriam Y.B Ebanks

As it is, I will have a hard enough time trying to explain to my daughter (now 3 yrs. old) what Cayman looked like when I was a child growing up here in the 70's without the eradication of such natural beauty which can serve as teaching tools and help to engender a sense of belonging in our children and also help them to appreciate that we are a part of something much greater and more precious than the conrete structures that we have erected over time in homage to progress.

My child loves the outdoors and the school she attends allows even the little ones her age to participate in nature walks and I love to get her excited reports about the birds she saw and the colours of the flowers that they found along the way.

Preserve this treasure trove so that children like her and those for generations to come can be introduced to the flora and fauna that were commonplace to our forefathers and take pride in the natural beauty that their home has to offer.    

 

 

 

- Kathryn Dinspel-Powell

More buildings, more roads, more imported convineances....and we continue blind ourselves to the beauty we are blessed with.

We are our islands, our islands are us. 

One less tree, seems like one less me. 

Cayman continues to spread the "mango jam" so thin on the "bread" that you can't hardly taste it anymore - too many buldings, too many roads and not enough to sustain our own people. What a shame. Save what we have left, it really isn't much. Yahweh help us to preserve our lands, our future and ourselves!

- A.E.Solomon

 

hope this will help save these unique plants. Why do we need this road?

- Virginia A. Rankine

 JUST LEAVE THE FOREST THE WAYS IT IS!!! 

- Dean Kelly

I have recently purchased a home adjacent to the Ironwood Forest and on behalf of myself and my neighbors in Sterling Estates we all strongly oppose to the new road.  I have spent a lot of time walking through the forest and am deeply saddened when I see damage caused to the various species of vegetation caused by the heavy machinery.  I have managed to save several "Wild Banana Orchids" which is Cayman's National Flower, from trees that were knocked down near the development and luckily two will bloom in the next couple weeks.   

In my opinion, I think the Government should have taken into consideration several different options such as;

1.)  Expanding the roads in the vacinity of Smith Road and Walkers Road to accommodate the school traffic. (Note:  Traffic will still continue to be backed up at the end of this new road because Walkers Road cannot accommodate the heavy flow of traffic). 

2.)   Including a traffic light at the intersection at Hospital Road.

3.)  Limiting the amount of vehicles licensed per household. 

4.)  Encouraging parents to "Carpool" with other students to decrease traffic. 

In respect to my investment, what does the Government intend to do in regards to protecting our community from the high speed traffic.  The distance from my driveway to the new highway is no more than 50ft and in my view, a guardrail will not suffice!

 

 

 

 attracted me to my townhome for sale at Sterling Estates, I was immediately

- Jennifer Felder



I think its time the Government enacted laws which prevent landowners from completely clearing their land to build.  Some of us leave most of the local trees and fauna in place and clear a space for the house and playing area for our kids.  Many others have no respect for the environment.  If we don't do something quickly there will be nothing left for our children.  Also, stop the quarrying and blasting.  What are we doing to these islands?  We have no idea what the environmental impact might be.  - Jean Ebanks

Please help to preserve a portion of our natural heritage. There is too little of it left for the future generations.

- Melanie Jackson

I have seen many small countries around the world go head-long for this type of "progress", always at the expense of the countyside, the plants and animals which make each a unique place. Unfortunately, Governments, no matter how much they say they support the environment, always bow in the end to the developers. And even more unfortunately, the voters never get a choice - all parties, when they get power, end up following the same course. This part of the Cayman Heritage must be protected, but if you look at the development slowly surrounding the Botanical Gardens for example, I fear nothing will stop the concreting of Cayman.

 

- Neil Hebblethwaite

I support saving the IRONWOOD Forest.

We need to preserve the beautiful sights here.

- Beverley DaCosta

Who are we developing for seems to be the cry...... and no one can truly answer for Caymanians.  I say to NO to this proposal unless the forest can remain untouched.

- Magalyn Ebanks-Robinson



I have been in the CI for 30 years and can not believe what the government is allowing to happen.  The iguanas, lizards, birds, and other animals are going to be driven out and then the people have problems with their gardens and yards because the animanls and birds will find something to eat.  Please wake up.  - sandra L. Erwin

I am a very young Caymanian who is all about the preservation of what little animal and plant life we have left on this island. I will be the first to admit that I am ashamed of the fact that our own Government are the ones that are heading the destruction of the iron wood forest that we have here in George Town. Although I am young and may not know the reason why Government has decided to build another bad road (I say bad road because every road they put down always seen to only bundle up the traffic at some point) instead of preserving the iron wood forest, I honestly cant see how a road is more important that a piece of Cayman history. And what I find to be even more strange is the fact that the leader of Government business “Kurt Tibbetts” said “and I quote” “Officials would do every thing in their power to preserve the remainder of iron wood” if he knows that there isn’t very much of the iron woods left why would he still see it fit to run a road through it. I honestly hope that something can be done to help better protect our wild life and plant life on this Island, and when I say that I am not talking about the help form government officials because we as a people should be protecting the things that really matter to this island and its not only the Caymanians that should be doing it, it should be every one who thinks any thing of this island and feel that a good clean environment is a lot more important that another bank building or something as trivial as a new road.

 

As a young Caymanian I am ashamed to say that our present Government has really done nothing of much good for the island and I hope the new Government that is to be brought in (with my help because I am now of age where I can vote) will be more concerned about the environment and less concerned about there next big project or how they can benefit them selves   

 

- Jonathan Jackson



Thanks for bringing this to our attention, it is amazing, we need to preserve every square inch of it.  Our natural resources are too limited to be ignored!  - Judy McTaggart

 We have a precious ironwood forest that is a beauty to behold. How many government officials have taken an educational walk through this forest? Do they understand the true meaning that this forest holds? For once in your policital careers let it be known that you did at least ONE GOOD DEED FOR THE COUNTRY AND IT'S PEOPLE for once lets save something CAYMANIAN. Ask yourselves do we really need more alsphalt? Please just use your common sense and leave the forest alone!

 

- Jane Wood



There is one road that goes through Puerto Rico's Rain Forest....if they can make it an environmental experience, why can't we? - Mabel McMillan



- Lisa Powell-Ebanks



I believe strongly in the preservation of our natural habitat. It saddens me to see that this is being taken so lightly by our community. - Chevy Edy

I am surprised that this subject is even being brought up due to the increase in our earth's evironmental destruction concerns.  Isn't anyone listening?  Why aren't planning departments and responsible agencies thinking "green" - when it seems like the rest of the population is?

- Sandra Binns

The Ironwood Forest is unique in all the world with at least two fragile plant species indigenous ONLY to Cayman dependent on its survival.

Would this not make The Ironwood Forest a National Treasure?

 

- Leslie Bergstrom

The Ironwood Forest is unique in all the world with at least two fragile plant species indigenous ONLY to Cayman dependent on its survival.

Would this not make The Ironwood Forest a National Treasure?

Leslie Bergstrom

- Leslie Bergstrom



over the years, i have seen this kind of 'progress' in canada. i am sad to say that many prime environments have been lost FOREVER. i certainly hope that cayman can benefit from the experience of other countries, and save their wildlands BEFORE it is too late. - dr. heather haines



Please protect these unique and vital natural resources before it is too late.   - Valerie Ong

I feel that we in the Cayman Islands should consider our future for our child and our environment. What history will be left if we continue to destory it? What beautiful vegetation and animals will we see? We need to save some life and reduce that dark clutter of development controlling our lives. We need to live for Today because today makes our tomorrows better of worse. Protect what we have now and forever. Protect our plants and wildlife.

Damien P. DaCosta

- Damien P. DaCosta

Too often hasty decisions are made erroneously, and once made cannot be changed....like cutting down a forest and finding out it was not necessary.

This may already be happening, but if not, school children need to be taken on field trips to these treasures and educated about our heritage.  We pay hundreds of dollars to visit places like this in other countries, but  would venture to say that 90% of the children/Caymanians/residents do not even know where this forest is located.

Christine Rose-Smyth made a good point.  Will we really need it.

Please give this matter a lot of thought.

Abrana Banks

- Abrana Banks



Cayman's heritage is dwindling at a rapid pace.  Development is taking over our island.  PLEASE let's hold on to what little we have left!  - Allison Lovinggood-Jackson



Progress is not everything.  The united states has had a life of progress and look at where they are now. Financially devastated with many hungry and homeless.  Please dont follow their progress.  Cayman is a wonderful island with truly great people.  The true visitors come for the "real" island, not the highrise condos on smb, which have taken so much away from the originality of the island. Go back to the slow pace and island living. you don't need all these cars and highways. Keep your originality. Don't lose what the island is famous for.  Leave the fores alone. - MARGARET H MCCARTHY

It will be VERY interesting to see if this petition makes a difference!  Especially with elections right around the corner?

More things that make me go H-M-M-M-M?

 Love it and leave it be!

- Jeanie Lovinggood

Enough is enough.  Already too much of Cayman's precious natural beauty and environment has been sacrificed in the name of "progress".  Sometimes the price of progress is too high.  The time has come to call a halt to the destruction of irreplaceable treasures such as this one. 

  If we don't put an end to this destruction of treasured architecture and environmental beauty, soon Cayman will lose its identity and become just another man made tourist stop.

- Richard N. Parson

I am Caymanian and have been attending school in Hong Kong for the last two years but that does not mean I have been disconnected or ignorant to the happenings on my island since I left. I have every intention of returning to my slice of paradise and therefore will continue to fight for it to remain just that; paradise. If we continue to 'develop', more specifically, destroy our natural environment, I will not have much to return to other than round-abouts and 'highways'. If I want those so bad, all I have to do is stay here for the rest of my life.

The concept is simple - sustainable development, i.e. develop with the future in mind. While I understand that traffic is horrible it simply means we need to cut down on the number of cars, which also adds to the destruction of our environment. Putting the concept into practice might seem a bit more difficult but I refuse to pay for the mistakes of the generation before me. 

With that said, I am so happy I found this website because it shows that people are willing to get together and push for the conservation of our island's natural beauty and our future generation's livelihood. 

- Arikka A. Ebanks

you know the age old thing here why do we have to destroy everything we have and hold sacred, I am sure this road can and should be diverted away from this area, after all when stage one was being built did not the Mctaggarts stand up for the horse stables and linford had to end up putting the curve into the road to bypass the area. I agree with Cathy Church on the logical step of meeting with Greg, and see his thoughts on this ,and like the other gentleman says where is our green money? come on caymanians we GOTTA stand up for the future of what little we have left,

Robert Wood

- robert wood

 

The win-win would be to build the road around this national treasure.  The surrounding land owners should immediately start working with the government to clear a path around this irreplaceable gem, and secure an agreement quickly.

 

- Dennie Warren Jr.



Visit www.marlroad.com and www.caymannewsservice.com for more comment forums on this topic. - John B

The Government has indicated that they are considering "diverting the road to minimise impact on the forest", but diverting the road is not good enough. Placing a road anywhere through the forest will create access for residential and commercial development.

We need to hold a public meeting to bring local and international focus on this very important issue. Unfortunately, the majority of land space in George Town has already been converted into a concrete forest, so let's unite to save the only real remaing forest.  

- Walling Whittaker



I am sick & tired of hearing that "ex-pats are destroying the Cayman culture"  It starts with this Islands leaders.  And this road project is a perfect example.  Until they do what is good for the longevity and health of the country instead of the thickness of theirs and their developers friends' wallets you have no one to blame but yourselves.  Let the leadres know you will not tolerate their short term, short sighted goals and you will remember come election time.  Even better, why not demonstrate in front of government buildings and the NRA office and at the developers private homes.  I have been part of many enviornmental causes in the US and EU, and the ones that worked were the ones that put the issues right in the face of the decision makers.  Petitions are ignored because in the long run it's the developers & the leaders that are benefiting from projects like this one that have the final say.  It is all about $$$. - John M

So much of Cayman has been completely destroyed, mostly by greedy developers but also following Ivan. How depressing it is to see great tracts of woodland laid low for the road and the car, witness the new bypass to East End as a classic example.

Surely we can see the sense in preserving what little remains?

 

Let's hope so...........

- Fiona Foster



WE NEED TO PROTECT THIS PRECIOUS TREES - Christopher Prasad



Please, lets save nature, it gives so much back. - Karen R. Ebanks



I STRONGLY agree with my wife, Barbara....Do not let this road destroy the area... - Charles W Anderson, III



Please do not let this go....Cayman Islanders can just go slower around that part of the Island..why put in another road, when most of your ecomony is based on tourist and everyone from everywhere has seen a two lane road...but not a Ghost Orchid or Old George..promote the forest....charge a fee for toursit to go inside the forest with a guide....this will make a few jobs...will make money and make Cayman not just anothe place that has 2 lane highways. - Barbara Lynn Anderson



Do we really have Cayman and what is Caymanian at heart when we think about doing things like this!  C'mon our government - this starts with you - help protect what is part of our identity and heritage - stop contributing to doing away with what is part of being Cayman and Caymanian!  Development is progress, but at what cost and to what extent!!! - Jewel Studenhofft



Please promote clean (and healthy) biking...  enough of the highways.  Everyone needs to just slow down. - Tim Zerniak



It is important that we all consider saving this important tranch of land for wildlife habitat and future generations of Caymanians adn visitors to our Islands - Martyn and Vivian Bould

The land owner must be at the center of this discussion. He (she?) has the ultimate right to decide what he wants done with this land. Since he has the right to hold or sell, his interests have to be considered first. Instead of petitioning, we need to send him a letter voicing our interests in opening a mutually beneficial dialogue in the public good. If he intends to leave the land untouched, but if he is a victim of a government road, then the petition may help him. If he wishes to eventually make money from the land, then everyone who benefits, i.e. the entire community, must put our money where our mouth is and find a way (through land sale taxes, environment surcharges, or whatever) to compensate the owner. A land trust will need to be set up, preferably through a great organization like the National Trust, to guarantee proper stewardship of the land.

Has the land owner ever done anything to harm this land? Has he opened his property to outsiders to look at his rare plants? How have people been gaining access? Are there public paths, or do people just assume it belongs to everyone since there are no electric fences around it? 

There is a wonderful organization called Nature Conservancy who would buy this land without moving the owner in any way. They would incur all liability and  expenses in providing ecologically sensitive public access to the property while the actual property remains with the original owner. While this is more effective for owners who could then avoid land taxes, which we don't have here, there may be some type of way to allow a special deal between the owner and the public, if he is so inclined.

- Cathy Church

We must try and protect this precious of forest at all costs.

I will help in any way I can!

- Karen Hunter



The entire ironwood forest (crown and privately owned areas) need to be preserved. The Government is supposed to represent the people of the Cayman Islands, we all need to ensure that the word is spread far and wide so that all can put forward views on this subject. As Tourism is a pillar of our society and the fact that eco-tourism is on the rise.....the answer seems simple. So much has already been removed in the name of "progress and/or  development", it is time that our Government listens to the people. Caymanians stand up and recognise the importance and need to be outspoken on these issues. As the world over works toward "being green" everyone needs to remember that it is not just conserving, and recycling but also encompasses how we develop, including where and why. - Michael & Katherine McLaughlin



Please do something before another national treasure is lost. I am not a local resident, but I love Cayman and our heritage. - Jane E. Bodden, Pembroke Pines, FL



Don't let the $$$ associated with more developing cloud the ESSENTIAL need for proper ecosystem management! In my opinion, Cayman is fast approaching the point of over-population (if we're not there already..) & therefore steps need to be taken before we destroy all the endemic flora and fauna that is part of what makes our home country so beautiful! - Kadie Frazier



We live in Orchid Village, which boarders the area proposed.  it ismagical land and even though we have lived here for 17 plus years, we are contantly amazed by the flora and fauna.  It would be so so sad to loose this. - Lisa and Clarence Flowers



Too much has alredy been lost do to progress & lack of protection of our natural surrondings, that also offered us protection against mother natures rath. We need to protect what we have left and replace what we have taken. More trees less black top. - Mr. & Mrs. Neil Carle

The Ironwood Forrest is an important part of Cayman's heritage & culture.  Much of Cayman's natural environment has been destroyed so this Forrest must be preserved to protect the rare plant life & to provide a habitat for the birds.  If this Forrest is destroyed it can never be replaced.                                       

THIS TREASURE MUST BE PROTECTED                                                      

- Carolyn Austin Perkins

From Antigua and Barbuda, where environments and species are also under great threat, we offer our fullest support.

Environmental Awareness Group

- Chris Pratt (Botanist)



PLEASE PLEASE do not destroy this living classroom for our children and future generations.  It is unique and precious.  Re-route the planned road a little and preserve the Ironwood Forest.  IT CAN NEVER BE REPLACED!!!! - Sandra Dailey

I sincerely wish that our goverment will see the value of such a site as this.  We claim to promote "eco-tourism" whilst doing virtually nothing to actually make it a reality.  Land-based attractions are extremely rare here in Cayman, and having one so near to the ports and business centre is a wonderful boon.  I pray that God will help our leaders to be courageous and take steps that leave a green legacy for our future generations.

M. Alson Ebanks

- M. Alson Ebanks



PLease keep this wonderful part of this island alive we are already a concrete city the more we distroy the less we have to show our children! - Jennie Boyers

I understand that the Environmental Protection Fund currently contains approximately 18 million dollars. This is a fee that is collected by government each time visitors and ourselves leave the island.

This money could be put towards the preservation of the whole forest area.

The GREEN DOLLARS are already there, they just need to be spent.

As Mac points out - the whole area needs to be preserved, not just the crown land. With the backing of the Environment Fund, there is no excuse to short-change private landowners.    

 

 

 

- Mat DaCosta-Cottam

It is necessary to develop the road system of Grand Cayman so we never have to sit in traffic for longer than, say, 15 minutes longer than we would like. For this reason, we demand that more and more tarmac be spread out for us to use so as to save those precious 15 minutes.

Sections of this pristine forest, with all its inhabitants both flora and fauna, will thus be sacrificed to satisfy our need for roadway. It is our demands that the National Roads Authority are satisfying.

In mitigation of this, note that the majority of the Ironwood Forest is ALREADY IN GOVERNMENT CONTROL and on Crown Land. The strip to be requisitioned for the road is only 80 feet wide, and only a small part of which is to cross this Crown land. The section of the Ironwood Forest that is really threatened is the PRIVATELY OWNED portions to the north of the Community College through which the road is planned, and which will promptly be developed to residential use by its owner. The only way to prevent this is either for all of you environmentalists to purchase all or some of the remaining portions of this private property, or to petition the Planning Department to declare "no access" to these portions of lands off the new road, thus sterilising them and rendering them undevelopable. In this event, the land value will fall to a realistic price, and you environmentalists can pick it up cheap and turn it into a Nature Reserve under the guardianship of the National Trust.

STOP WHINING AND USE YOUR GREEN DOLLARS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM!

- Mac A. Thini

We as Caymanians need to conserve these last remaining pockets of natural habitats for future generations.

We must also ensure that the land owners receive adequate compensation, for without this they cannot be expected to find benefit in their preservation. What we strive to achieve is this fine balance.

- Charlotte Cloete

This area of profound natural beauty and ecological importance should be preserved as Cayman's premiere national treasure.

- Stuart Mailer



Will not perssure for a road to the schools decrease when the new schools are completed in West Bay and Frank Sound? - Christine Rose-Smyth

The Ironwood Forest is unique in the world, and many of the plants are found nowhere else on Grand Cayman. What a chance to showcase the Cayman flora and fauna growing naturally in their ages-old habitat!

Located so close to George Town, it is a secret natural-heritage site providing fresh air and clean water, unique aesthetic beauty of endemic shrubs, herbs, trees and orchids, many capable of providing valuable sustainable resources such as medicines and genetic biodiversity for future generations of cayman islanders.

This little remnant of original Ironwood Forest has huge potential for educating a nation, and attracting tourists, an important economic mainstay. 

Please re-route the road to skirt the Ironwood Forest, so it remains as one integral living forest area, self-supporting and self-sustaining. Once chopped up it will be terribly diminished, and may be lost forever.

 

 

 

- Lilian Hayball-Clarke

This natural Ironwood Forest in the centre of George Town should be preserved, not only for the rare plant life but also for the habitat it provides for the Bird Life of Cayman.  Where else in the centre of town are there any trees left.  Look at photos taken before Ivan and so many trees have not been replaced.

How is a new road going to benefit this area.  So far all the new roads have just transferred a congestion spot to another area.  Walkers Road already suffers extreme congestion at school time and this would not relieved by yet another road.  It really is time to reduce the carbon footprint of vehicles and encourage people to look for alternatives.  A new two lane road at such a cost to the habitat is too high a cost to pay. 

 

- Peta Adams



It was encouraging to hear Mr. Kurt Tibbetts promise on the radio that the Round A-bout planned for this location was not going to happen and that the road would be put on the fringes of the forest.  It appears that our Government is willing to listen when we show the kind of interest and representation that has been shown in this case.  - Frank and Beth Roulstone



Haven't we already destroyed enough of our natural resources and cultural icons? - Monique G. Jackson

Even if the road is constructed on the edge of this forest, you can rest assured that the exhaust from vehicles using the road will have a profound effect on the delicate ecology of the forest. 

.

- William McTaggart Jr



As I understand it the main reason for this road is for parents to get children to school in the Walker's Road area using their private cars. However there must be a better way than destroying such a unique natural habitat as this. Has anyone thought of asking the schoolchildren what their opinion is? They are the future of Cayman. - Michael Pickthorne

Thank you for posting the slide show. It would be a tragedy for this wonderful forest to go the way of the bulldozer for the sake of a road.

Imagine all the indigenous and endemic gone! How sad. As said by other contributors 'what will we leave for posterity? We need to work towards a greener Cayman

Ella Lockwood

 

- Ella Lockwood

I AM FULLY IN SUPPORT OF PRESERVING THESE VALUABLE

LANDS.  ANY NEW ROADS PROPOSED COULD BE DIVERTED

ALONG THIS IRONWOOD FOREST AND THUS PROVIDE

A WONDERFUL VIEW OF ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING

NATIONAL AREAS.

OUR CHILDREN AND  GRANDCHILDREN WILL RISE UP AND 

CALL US BLESSED! 

 

- SYBIL McLAUGHLIN

When everything that isn't manmade is gone, who will want to come & see us?  Of those that do, what kind of people will they be?

Kathleen Bodden-Harris

- Come on Grand Cayman! Wake up & smell the indigenous plants & animals that make up what this island

We have experienced the heat when there were no trees after Ivan.  WE need to be careful that we don't end up being the IVAN that God can not revive us from.  In other words...I have not seen trees growing through asphalt and we on the fast track to being a massive concrete jungle.

 May God grant us wisdom to protect the things worthy of protecting such as the precious Ironwood Forest.

 Blessings,

Adonza Harrison 

- Adonza Harrison & Family



We visited the forest last weekend and marveled at its beauty and siginficance as a historical living museum.  It dawned on us both, Caymanian though we are, this area and its inhabitants are the only things that are truly Caymanian.  When we have already lost so much of our identity as a people and so much of our rich natural and built history, this last vestige of natural and unique Cayman HAS to be preserved.  As we were leaving the forest, I took a last look back at it knowing we both may never see it again in that state and it brought tears to my eyes knowing my daughter will likely never have the pleasure I had in sharing it with her with her own child some day.  She is being cheated of that and who are we to be depriving her and other Caymanian children of this rich living piece of their inheritance.  This land in its natural state must be saved.  Mr. Arden McLean will go down in the history books as a hero of the people of Cayman for having the vision to save this wonderful God-given piece of nature, far more so than for building yet another roundabout.   - Sharon Roulstone & Katherine Bovre

 

I suggest that all the MLA's walk through the forest with Kirkland Nixon and discuss the whole issue of deforestation and the destruction of such an important area of woodland, flora and fauna before they go any further with planning.

They might live to regret not taking a few hours to see what they risk losing forever.

  

 

- Elizabeth (Liz) Walker



Please could we keep some things as important as this sacred. - Cathy Williams

This is truly a unique woodland forest. The fact that it contains several species of flora not found anywhere else in the world makes it worth preserving.  Lets try to develop more sensibly and sensitively. If we CHOOSE to destroy what we have.......(which we have been doing for years now) we have no one to blame but ourselves!  This would make a great 'park' for school children to be taken to to learn about our native trees and plants and also a peacful place/retreat for everyone who lives here to visit and enjoy. Please consier saving this for present & future generations.

 

- Arthurlyn Pedley



there has to be an intermediate point where all interests meet. - Maria Gomez Bernardez

The cayman Islands contain an important part of Caribbean biodiversity and if our governments are serious about implementing measures to stem climate change then perserving the Ironwood forest should be an important priority. So please save the Ironwood forest. We already have enough concrete and asphalt.

 

- Herlitz Davis



Once these forests are destroyed they can never be replaced.  These forests are an important part of Cayman's heritage and culture.  So much of Cayman's natural environment has already been destroyed.   It's time to protect these precious gems.   The government must stop taking the easy way out and  start looking for compromises. It's possible to build roads without destroying such priceless flora and fauna.  FIND A WAY!   - Lyn Ebanks



This is the right thing to do for the future people of Cayman.  But the current government does not have the ability to plan ahead. It would take a miracle or a lot of very vocal and pissed off Caymanians to change this..  Good Luck. - kainalu kalahiki

Ft. Lauderdale's "Fern Forest" was also threatened by a road. They moved it to the edge and made a wonderful urban wilderness park. Our Ironwood Forest already has an adjoining auditorium and picnic grounds on the UCCI Campus. There is so much potential for for a really visioinary cooperative project incorporating educatioin, tourism, and the pure "rightness" of saving the beautiful natural environment and sense of place in history. 

http://www.broward.org/parks/ff.htm

 Lois Blumenthal

- Lois Blumenthal

If I wanted to live in a metropolitan city I would move there! What ever happened to an island simply being an island? Is it such an unacceptable idea that we would have natural flora and fauna for our children to enjoy?

Please, leave something of the natural beauty of our island.

- Jolene Nelson

Please keep this forest. We don't need the wood for fuel, or the land for agricultural purposes. The benefits of roads through this region will certainly not outweigh the risk of total loss of plant and animal live in this habitat. Significant removal of  native trees in other areas as well will definitely reduce biodiversity and the IMPACT is always great. Look at neighbouring countries and huge countries such as Nigeria, USA, Brazil that suffer from deforestation. Haiti is now or soon to be the desert in the Carribbean due to deforestation.  In addition for the need  for agricultural land amoung  poor Haitians, inactivity of government and low education among farmers were also contributory factors. We must strive to protect at all times our forest.

Thanks .

Dhal

- dhal

I urge government to prevent the distruction of this forest and protect it by listing it as a national park for future generations of Caymanians to enjoy and appreciate.

PLEASE PROTECT THIS NATIONAL TREASURE

Thank you

John MacKenzie

- John MacKenzie

I was listening to Rooster this morning about Earth Day and the activities organized at Boatswain Beach.

It was mentioned that this attraction should be listed as one of Cayman's National Treasures.

The Ironwood Forest should also be named as Cayman's National Treasure and be protected against any futher loss of Cayman identity.

Government must take action and establish more green belts and protected areas before the further destruction of Cayman's natural beauty.

- Tilda Topalian



According to the PPM manifesto, they will at least 'consider' it.  - PHIL AND BRENDA BUSH



With all the construction going on in Cayman and all the NEW roads, we on this Island seem to think that Global Warming will not affect us here, well without vegitation we will suffer faster, it is such a small area with indiginous plants (which by the way some we are not allowed BY LAW to cut down) why then can this small plot be left alone THe Island is becoming a concret & Road Jungle. Very sad to see, why not cut down on cars by putting in a Reliable (not the speed freaks we have now) bus service with a regular time-table, or a Park and ride?????? - Anne Neale

It seems to me Cayman has entered a new variety of "road rage". At first, one road "to" everything, now, one road "for" everything. More and more short cut roads to "something". Get out of bed a little earlier to get where you have to go so we can leave this magnificient piece of local one-of-a-kind forest alone. There is only one thing we are cutting short: "Life Spans"!

Ron Moser

- Ron Moser



Wherever long-sighted people have set aside natural areas in the midst of a rapidly urbanizing landscape, future generaltions have thanked them again and again. This the only significabt patch of natural forest left in all of George Town - our last opportunity, if you like, to have a nature park in the middle of the centre of population.  By the way both Old George and the Ghost Orchid are listed as Critically Endangered, and both are deeply dependent on the moist air which drifts downwind from the wetlands in the middle of this small area. The situation is very fragile - build the road in the wrong place and even if much of the remaining forest is left, if the wetands are impacted the Old George and Ghost Orchids will die. If there must be a road here, skirting the very northern edge of the area is the only option which would not be the death knell for the Ironwood Forest as a system. - Fred Burton

The government needs to, for once, stand up for the environment. This loss is too great!!!!

- Susan Goetze



Building this road will be a slap in the face to plant and habitat conservation initiatives in the Country! - Martin Hamilton



  - Stuart Robbins

At present the schools can be accessed from four directions, namely South Church Street, Walker;s Road from the South and the North, and then finally the "new road" going passed the Triple School, can't remember the name! Why any more, and especially as the Government is talking about A new High School in the Frank Sound area which will considerably reduce traffic approaching from South Walker's Road. This forest under the management of the Botanical Garden Staff would make a very attractive natural experience for both Cayman Residents and Tourists. All the two lane highways they have built so far end up in a single lane road which causes the inevitable "bottle neck", children late for school! Dosn't make sense! 

- Mervyn Cumber



Maybe we need to have a similar thought on Cayman Brac's Bluff - too much virgin land  being cut down with no thought for tomorrow!
- Ellen J. Lazzari

I am a young Caymanian and I am extremely concerned with what I see happening to our country. I'm sure we can all agree that Cayman is quickly becoming a 'concrete jungle' and the last thing that we or our environment needs is the tearing down of MORE trees. Cayman needs to stop neglecting and ignoring our environmental state! Yes, our financial and tourism status is extremely important, but don’t they work hand-in-hand with our environment? After all, how many tourists visit the Cayman Islands to see more concrete buildings and asphalt roads? A question that perhaps needs to be pondered by not only our Government, but by all of us.

Cayman...let your voices be heard! Speak up for your country PLEASE! I congratulate the creator of this website for doing just that!

May God continue to bless our little islands... 

- Tessa Suckoo

Progress should be at an acceptable level of sacrifice & this small patch of remaining Iron Wood Forest should not even be considered. Let "progress" this time be scrificed for the preservation of this majestic area.

ps     might i add, what about "ECO TOURISM", thats been talked about?, is this not some thing that should, could & would be incroporated in this plan to extend the Tourism product to include things other than just 7 mile beach & Stingray city, especially! considering there are species of plants that are not just indignenous to this area of forest in Cayman but the entire world.

- Ivan McLean



There has to be a point when the CI government says STOP AND THINK: What are we doing to our grandchildren's heritage? We have plenty of roads, but only one Ironwood forest piece left out of all the forest that used to cover these islands. - Claudette Upton



When we read stories of the Dodo, we are quick to point the finger at the ignorant sailors who's small-minded actions deprived the world of this defencless bird.  There is a wealth of information about the value of the Ironwood Forest in Grand Cayman, so we cannot rely on ignorance as an excuse for our actions, nor our apathy. With the Ghost Orchid and Old George at imminent threat of extinction for the sake of a short-cut, I worry about how far we have come in recent history, as far as our resepct for the natural environment goes. We have no fundimental right to decide which creatures and plants our children will be about to see with their own eyes, and which they will only be able to read about in half-forgotten books. - Mark Reid