Stamps Showcase Biodiversity

On Wednesday 9 July, the Cayman Islands Postal Service will release
a new set of stamps featuring the Islands' biodiversity, titled Darwin Initiative.

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.

There are five stamps in this issue: 20¢ (Land Crab); 25¢ (Needle
Case); 75¢ (Little Cayman Green Anole); 80¢ (Brac Ground Boa), and $1
(White-shouldered Bat). The Soldier Crab will be on the first day cover
and the Caribbean Reef Squid is featured on the souvenir sheet.

"We believe that this stamp issue is educational because it highlights
some of our endemic species and their essential habitats. It also
features some common species, those which we might take for granted,
but which nonetheless do their bit to make the Cayman Islands a little
bit different," noted Postmaster General Sheena Glasgow.

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.

For more information, please contact Philatelic Manager Karen McField 946-4767.

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Posted in: Animals,Cayman Islands,Nature