News Headline | Stamps hi-light culture and conservation

From Cayman Net News:

Stamps hi-light culture and conservation

?The Cayman Cultural Series, Part 1 ? Trees? stamp

collection

Friday, February 24, 2006

Cayman?s latest stamp issue, scheduled to be released on Thursday 23 February, has as its aim increasing public knowledge of the need to preserve a precious natural asset that is now at risk of extinction.

The five-stamp issue, ?Cayman?s Cultural Series, Part 1 - Trees,? showcases some of the trees of native growth forests that traditionally were used to support the country?s livelihood but are now threatened by the impact of modern development.

Cayman?s native forests are a unique combination of trees such as the Silver Thatch, the Broadleaf, Ironwood, Candlewood, Smoke Wood, Sweetwood, Snake Wood, Pickle Wood, Fiddlewood, Fustic, Pepper Cinnamon, Headache Bush, Snake Hand trees, Duppy Bush and others.

In the past, these trees were used for food, shelter, clothing, medicine, boat-building, livelihood and export. They are therefore now a part of the history, culture, natural heritage and identity of these Islands.

These trees and shrubs develop in dry rocky forests and woodlands and are extremely slow growing. Unfortunately, as Cayman?s rocky areas are cleared for development so are the natural woodlands, often with little regard to their rarity, age or cultural significance.

There are 29 endemic plant species found solely in the Cayman Islands. If these trees and shrubs are preserved they can be showcased as part of the floral and faunal diversity that sets our Islands apart from other tropical destinations.

?The Stamp Advisory Committee and the postal service created this collection because we wanted to help draw attention to the plight of the country?s unique growth forests,? said Karen McField from the Philatelic Bureau.

The stamp issue features Wash Wood on the 15 cents stamp, Red Mangrove on the 20 cents, Ironwood on the 30 cents, Cedar on the 60 cents and Spanish Elm on the $2.00. They are available at post offices throughout the Cayman Islands and also at the Philatelic Bureau, Seven Mile Beach Post Office.

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