🛶 Conservationists plan kayak journey to raise funds for nature park

Twelve surfski paddlers are preparing to kayak from Cayman Brac to Grand Cayman in February to raise funds and awareness for the Coast to Bluff Recreational Access and Conservation (CBRAC). The local non-profit organization aims to preserve the natural beauty of the Brac. The participants will cover around 96 miles in surfski kayaks, designed for speed and riding open-ocean swells, to raise money for a new nature park. The journey, named Shore To Shore ‘24, is about sharing a love for outdoor adventure while helping to protect Cayman’s natural environment. 🌊

CBRAC has already established two nature parks on the island and aims to buy another plot of land that can be protected. Since its inception in 2021, CBRAC has raised over $120,000 through a crowd-sourcing model, which has been used to protect two parcels of coastal forest that house over 120 species of indigenous fauna and flora. The organization also developed the Biota app, which gives donors access to their own dashboard with pictures and information about the species in the area they have helped protect. 🌿

CBRAC Director Tristan Relly expressed gratitude to the twelve paddlers, early sponsors, and volunteers for supporting the cause. The organization is still seeking additional sponsors for the ocean adventure. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recommends that effective and equitable conservation of approximately 30-50% of the Earth’s land, freshwater, and ocean will help ensure a healthy planet, calling for collective community involvement and contributions. 🌍