Sustainable Cayman’s “Urban Pocket Parks” Wins Audience Vote

South Sound pilot earns top marks for restoring biodiversity with youth-led, nature-based coastal design

Sustainable Cayman’s “Restoring Biodiversity with Urban Pocket Parks” poster was awarded the most audience votes at the 7th UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum (UKOTCF) on Conservation and Sustainability — a global gathering of conservationists working in UK Overseas Territories, Crown Dependencies, and other small island states.

Presented under Main Topic 3: Achieving Biodiversity & Sustainability Targets, the poster highlights a replicable model using biodegradable coir terraces, mangrove seedlings, and native coastal plants to rebuild habitat, stabilise public shoreline access, and boost pollinator diversity. The project combines climate resilience with youth training, ESG/CSR alignment, and low-cost delivery relative to constructed barriers — showing that even small public spaces can make a big environmental impact.

The team was recognised with a book prize and an invitation to continue sharing the project’s progress. “We’re grateful to all who voted, and especially to the other presenters for their work and inspiration,” said Melanie Carmichael of Sustainable Cayman. “The poster is a snapshot of a much deeper effort — we invite sponsors, volunteers, and educators to help us grow these pocket parks across more urban sites.”

The South Sound Pilot (2025) and Pirate Cove Project (2024) are examples of cost-effective, replicable restoration in high-visibility areas where traditional protected zones aren’t feasible. With 20–30 seedlings per site, coir-based erosion control, and photo-monitoring led by youth ambassadors, the parks deliver local benefits aligned with global goals (SDGs 13, 14, and 15).