Cayman – CCMI in 2021: Sign up now for Reefs Go Live and upcoming webinars
Cayman – CCMI in 2021: Sign up now for Reefs Go Live and upcoming webinars
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Our Renewed Intentions for 2021
Protection of reef ecosystems is as important as ever.
If anything, 2020 taught us that the human race can change, and that we can positively impact the environment through collective action. We need to find scalable and replicable solutions to conserving coral reefs for the future. The time is now.
As a company we must be resilient and flexible.
To that end, we seek to ensure our project goals are supported by the right people; develop a company environment that facilitates and encourages excellence; and create the ability to focus on our mission, despite global chaos.
Invest in our people, to facilitate our focus on impact–driven projects,
Create more opportunity for ocean stewardship, through increased scholarships, internships, and early career scientist support, as well as increased outreach activity, and
To continue to deliver Vision 2025 goals, to develop a sustainable organisation that helps to solve the problems facing coral reefs.
Learn more about our plans for research, education and outreach HERE. Read on below for exciting things taking place and how you can join in now.
CCMI was awarded a Darwin Plus Covid-19 Response Grant to support our Quiet Oceans project, surveying coral reefs to monitor the impact of decreased activity in Cayman’s waters. This project is underpinned by our long-term data set recording 21 years of fish and coral monitoring.
Dr. Goodbody-Gringley will present preliminary results and key insights from this project in a stakeholder presentation and webinar, followed by our firstReefs Go Live episode of 2021, all taking place at the end of March.
Join us for our upcoming series of Reefs Go Live episodes
Register HERE to receive advanced information about episodes, including episode links, content previews, and supporting materials such as activity sheets, vocabulary sheets, lesson plans, and more.
Support CCMI while taking part in a fun photo scavenger hunt and beach day! Get together your group of 4-6 people (all ages are welcome!) totake part in a range of activities that DIRECTLY IMPACT our reefs, from lionfish culling, to beach clean ups, to learning fun facts with your teammates about how we can all make a difference. You’ll keep track of your scavenger hunt by sharing photos as you tick activities off the list, then we’ll all gather to relax with a fun beach afternoon at Kaibo.
We’ll release the scavenger hunt list on Monday, 5 April, and your team can accrue points throughout the week until NOON on Saturday, 10 April. The team with the highest points accrued will win a prize at the event!
Learn more and register your team by clicking HERE.
Scholarships Support Local Education
In February, CCMI hosted our first Caribbean Marine Ecology Camp (CMEC) sessions for local students, sponsored by the Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation and local donors, who supported a total of 6 need-based full scholarships. CCMI will host a second CMEC in April, supported by the R3 Cayman Foundation, with 12 need-based scholarships for local students.
Watch the video below for a sample of some of the amazing underwater experiences our February group shared.
“At CCMI, we believe the link between research and education is critical to protecting and restoring our coral reefs. Engaging Caymanian students with the research and restoration efforts of our team at the Little Cayman Research Centre enables us to combine incredibly topical and important marine research with local education. Conservation truly begins with understanding what we are striving to protect. We strongly believe that every young Caymanian should have the opportunity to learn about the marine environment that surrounds them. Providing scholarships is key to achieving this goal.”- Dr. Goodbody-Gringley
Growing Our Team
With so many exciting research projects taking place and a packed education schedule, CCMI’s team has grown. We’ve added a new education manager, field station manager, research manager, and currently have a great team of interns on the ground in Little Cayman. Learn more about our team HERE.
We’re also currently seeking one additional education intern. Read about that available position HERE.
Planning Ahead: Cayman Islands Marathon 2021
We’re recruiting walkers and runners to join the Reef Relief Squad for 2021! Join the CCMI Reef Relief Squad and participate in one of the Cayman Islands’ most popular event – the Cayman Islands Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay! *Please note, there is also a virtual event option for those who are not able to be on island for the race.
