The Cayman Islands Postal Service is to release a new set of stamps featuring the Islands’ biodiversity. Titled, ‘Darwin Initiative’, the stamps will be released at all post offices on Wednesday 9 July.
This issue is a collaboration between the Postal Service and the Department of Environment and it introduces some of Cayman’s indigenous creatures. The Darwin Initiative is funded and administered by the United Kingdom Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It provides small financial grants to promote the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of resources around the world.
A distinguishing feature of this stamp issue is the inclusion of habitats. While they are not on the stamps themselves, they comprise an important part of the issue since habitats are essential for the species to survive. The habitats are on the stamp selvage and an explanation of where each creature can be found is included on the leaflet. Another unique aspect of these stamps is that all images were supplied by local photographers Nimer Alvarado, Andrew Hope, Jennifer Godfrey, Fred Burton and Courtney Platt.
“Our department is extremely pleased to have been able to showcase in this way, the spectacular diversity of animals found in the Cayman Islands,” said Department of Environment Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie. “We extend sincere thanks to the Cayman Islands Post Office and the Philatelic Bureau for providing this wonderful opportunity.”
Minister of Communications, Works and Infrastructure, the Hon. Arden McLean, JP, also endorsed the stamp issue. “The Government supports this stamp issue which helps to raise awareness on the preservation of our natural resources and educates the populace on the importance of the Cayman Islands’ environment,” he said.