28 September 2023 – On Wednesday 13th September 2023, H.E. Governor Jane Owen hosted a reception on behalf of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands to recognize and thank the generous donors to their Land Reserve Fund for mangroves and to highlight their role in purchasing an ecologically significant parcel of land next to the Governor Gore Bird Sanctuary in Spotts-Newlands. The National Trust relies on donations to fund critical ecosystem protection such as this, including contributions from supporters whose smaller donations make a real difference in the effort to save Cayman’s natural world. This event was organized as a way to thank them, as well as to highlight the generous, conservation-minded landowner that sold his land to the National Trust. Mr Fabian Whorms (not to be confused with the CEO of Cayman Airways) had planned to build condos on the site, but after learning of the possible negative effects the development could have on the adjacent protected pond, he decided to sell it to the National Trust so that it could become part of the bird sanctuary. “I am happy to contribute to the preservation of the future of these islands through the efforts of the National Trust to maintain the natural wetlands offering habitats for birds and other wildlife and wish them every success” stated Mr Whorms.

Some of the donations were made through Island Offsets, a local non-profit that helps individuals and businesses compensate for their unavoidable carbon emissions through mangrove protection projects located here in the Cayman Islands. Mangroves act as a carbon sink, sequestering massive amounts of carbon in the trees and soil. Healthy mangrove ecosystems also help the community adapt to the effects of climate change by protecting us from stronger storms, working like a sponge during flooding events, creating rain in times of drought, acting as a fish nursery and increasing our food security, and cooling the island to mitigate extreme heat. When offsets for mangrove protection are purchased through Island Offsets, the money goes into the Land Reserve Fund and is set aside specifically for local mangrove purchase by the National Trust. It is important to know that this innovative finance model works here in Cayman.

Gore’s Photo

Named after Cayman’s former Governor Michael J. Gore, the freshwater marshes of the Spotts-Newlands area are a roosting, feeding and breeding habitat for over 60 species bird species – a quarter of all birds native to the Cayman Islands. In fact, during the dry season, this may be the only substantial body of fresh water for some distance. Other species found here include hickatee turtles, native butterflies, the endemic

freshwater mosquito fish (Gambusia xanthosoma), and even the elusive Tretanorhinus variabilis lewisi, an endemic subspecies of water snake.

Small, suburban parks like this are essential for the community as well. Easy access to nature is now understood to be a necessity after Covid-19 lockdowns. When people are able to visit a natural area in their daily lives, they are more likely to value wilderness protection in general. And this protected pond is used and enjoyed by residents and visitors on a regular basis.

“Grand Cayman has already seen significant mangrove destruction. The western side of the island has lost more than 70% of this critical ecosystem and deforestation is spreading rapidly eastward. We cannot afford to lose more wetlands, making this purchase especially significant.’ said Catherine Childs, Environmental Programmes Manager for the National Trust. “By working together with generous sponsors, international partners, and local landowners, we can accomplish more together and succeed in protecting Cayman’s irreplaceable natural areas.”