EMPOWER: Small Solar Solutions for Big Problems
Cat Island United equipped the community with low cost solutions for critical energy needs on an island with a limited grid.
Small solar systems for residents without electricity
Solar powered pumps driving drip irrigation systems for water management
Solar powered thermal hot water systems to reduce carbon emissions
One room solar for hurricane disaster recovery
SUNSHINE FARMS: Smart Farms Built by Students and Powered by Nature
With the help of Global Environment Fund (GEF), CIU worked with Old Bight High School, Arthur’s Town Comprehensive School and Old Bight primary school to build the Sunshine Tutorial Farms. These support the agriculture, science, technology and business academic programs. Students are involved from front to back—the building of the farms and installation of equipment to farmers markets.
Sustainable because they capture and store water in tanks for periods of drought.
Energy efficient because they use the sun to power the pumps.
Water efficient because they collect and store rainwater during the rainy season and deliver the water efficiently through drip irrigation directly to the roots.
Healthy because they provide the community with fresh vegetables and eggs.
YOUTH LOVE for farming and growing own food!!
COMPOST COOKERS: Giving Back to the Soil
CIU worked with the schools and the community to set up compost cooking sites throughout the island. We equipped the schools with tools and building materials. Local volunteers led building workshops and local restaurants and farms agreed to feed and tend the composters to dig back into the Sunshine Farms and for their own use. Unlike traditional methods of slash and burn, composting has no carbon emissions and is more efficient.
ALUMINUM CAN RECYCLING: The Virtuous Circle of the Life of a Soda Can
CIU has run eight collection depots since 2015 in partnership with the Cape Mail and Cans 4 Kids, Nassau. Cat Islanders take cans to drop off points; Cans are picked up in sugar bags and taken to Smith Bay; the Cape Mail generously carries them on their return trip from Smith By to Potter Cay; Cans 4 Kids collects them from Potter Cay and consolidates with aluminum cans from Nassau and the family islands to be sent to Miami for reprocessing. Cans 4 Kids pays a nominal fee, which covers the local cost of pick up and maintenance.
Cat Island drop off points (north to south): Orange Creek Grocery, Arthur’s Town Comprehensive School; Bennetts Harbor, Yardies’ Food and Gas; New Bight: New Bight Food Market; Old Bight: Favor’s Service Station; Port Howe: AJ’s One Stop Shop
MARINE PROTECTED AREAS: a work in progress
Cat Island cradles five unspoiled creek systems that the Government designated Marine Protected Areas. CIU has been seeking to raise awareness of these areas as the Government sets up a framework to protect the coral reefs, mangroves, turtles, juvenile fish and conch, rays, octopuses and bonefish—all who shelter, hunt and propogate here.
“Orange Creek” 159,688 acres (64,624 hectares)-includes Little San Salvador, Port Royal, Sand Point, Flamingo Point
Alligator Creek (3,633 acres (1,740 hectares)-includes Bennetts’ Harbor and its creek
“Fernandez Bay” 27,995 acres (11,329 hectares)—includes Bonefish Creek and Joe Sound
Hawk’s Nest & Cutlass Creeks 42,385 acres (17,153 Hectares)
“Columbus Point” 27,999 acres (11,329 hectares)—includes Little Winding Bay and Fine Bay
