News

157 Caicos Pine Saplings Added to Diamond Jubilee Pineyard, Pine Cay

Published

7 years ago

August 24, 2017

#TurksandCaicos, August 24, 2017 – Pine Cay – Caicos pine, the National Tree of the Turks and Caicos Islands, received a well-needed population boost on Pine Cay last week through collaborative efforts of the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR), Department of Agriculture, Meridian Club at Pine Cay, and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew).

The fourth planting of Caicos pine (also called Caribbean pine) saplings, grown in the Caicos Pine Recovery Project (CPRP)nursery on North Caicos, saw 157 young trees between 2 and 5 feet tall transported to Pine Cay and planted in the Diamond Jubilee Pineyard. Established in May 2012 during the Diamond Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II and coinciding with the International Day of Biological Diversity, the restoration habitat now boasts over 400 healthy young saplings – which should soon begin bearing their own seeds. Caicos pine trees have been carefully tended in DECR’s CPRP nursery since 2009, following wild collection of seeds and a carefully-executed custom-made seed sowing protocol by Junel Blaise, Nursery and Maintenance Officer.

Blaise, along with supervisor Bryan Naqqi Manco, DECR’s Terrestrial Ecologist/ Environmental Officer, together manage the nursery with over 500 pine trees and upwards of 50 species of native plants, and tend to the ten miles of firebreaks and trails on over 1000 acres of pineyard, a critical habitat in North and Middle Caicos and Pine Cay.

Caicos pine’s population was reduced by 95% across TCI by the introduction of the invasive pine tortoise scale insect, but Pine Cay’s population has survived better than those on North and Middle Caicos. The Diamond Jubilee Pineyard gives DECR and RBG Kew scientists a better understanding of successful methods towards the restoration of this globally imperiled ecosystem and a historically unique part of TCI’s natural and cultural heritage.

Karen Preikschat, Assistant Resort Manager of the Meridian Club, stated, “I spent a very informative 1 ½ hours touring the control site and planting site on Pine Cay with Bryan Naqqi Manco. Bryan took his time explaining the procedure that would be completed this week here on Pine Cay. One of the most interesting facts I learned that the 157 trees that were planted were germinated from seeds from the Pine Cay trees. I also learned how important controlled burning is for the survival of the Caribbean Pine. I believe we need to take a closer look at the trees, shrubs and flowers that we import from other countries which are carrying pests that are endangering our local flora.”

CPRP staff members met with the Wildlife Management International team working on the Saving the Iguana Islands project, and agreed that it will be very interesting to see how recovering Turks and Caicos rock iguanas interacts with the recovering Caicos pine ecosystem. In no other place does the endemic rock iguana naturally inhabit pineyard habitat, but with successful recovery techniques, Pine Cay’s historically natural ecosystem should become more intact.

Originally supported by the TC I Government’s Conservation Fund, later grants from the Overseas Territories Environment Programme and Darwin Plus funds kept the Caicos Pine Recovery Project well-funded until 2016. The project is now supported with staff and transportation from DECR, but currently has no regular recurrent funding.

Following this outplanting event, the CPRP nursery has plenty of room to plant more seeds, which will grow into saplings that can be planted out in about three years. The 200+ trees remaining in the nursery are from North and Middle Caicos populations, which are genetically different from Pine Cay’s trees. They will be planted in the seed orchard at the Kew Agricultural Station (Government Farm) and hopefully on some protected sites on Middle Caicos soon.

Photo: DECR Nursery and Field Officer Junel “Flash” Blaise plants a Caicos pine sapling in the Diamond Jubilee Pineyard on Pine Cay to facilitate habitat restoration.

Press Release: TCIG

News

InvestTCI facilitates the Development Agreement Between TCIG and Molo Hotel Group

Published

4 days ago

May 14, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.

Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.

Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.

Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.

Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.

The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.

Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”

He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”

Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion

Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.

Crime

Male Charged with Robbery

Published

5 days ago

May 13, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.

The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:

One Count: Robbery
One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear

Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.

The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.

Crime

Dock Yard Male Charged

Published

5 days ago

May 13, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.

The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05^th, 2024.

Mr. SIMON faces the following charges: 

One Count: Robbery;
One Count: Gang Membership
One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.

The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.

Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02^nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.