Cayman Islands Regiment, Jamaica Defence Force & Blue Iguana Conservation Collaborate At Colliers Wilderness Reserve

22 January 2024 – On Wednesday, 15th January 2025, the Blue Iguana Conservation Programme (BIC) was proud to collaborate with the Cayman Islands Regiment and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) during Event Ex Horizon. This joint initiative at Colliers Wilderness Reserve marked a significant milestone in cross-organizational efforts. The vital support of the JDF’s Air Wing played a crucial role in airlifting BIC team members Peri Smalldon and Joseph Jamieson, along with scientific equipment, into a remote part of Colliers Wilderness Reserve. This operation not only facilitated the transportation of new equipment to collect crucial data for the BIC Programme but also enabled the retrieval of outdated tools from the protected area. This opportunity allowed the CI Regiment to offer practical training for their members, while the Jamaica Defence Force benefited from their Air Wing crew gaining valuable experience flying overseas and engage in conservation work. Collectively, all organizations gained valuable experience while supporting one another in successfully achieving their objectives.

The National Trust for the Cayman Islands currently protects just over 3,500 acres of critical habitat. Colliers Wilderness Reserve is one of the primary habitats where our Blue Iguanas are released into the wild. This protected area is of ecological importance and is over 190 acres. An abundance of local flora and fauna can be found in Colliers Wilderness Reserve as this protected area maintains the biodiversity that lives there. After the helicopter dropped off the troops and BIC team members, they were welcomed by a wild, Blue Iguana that had been released into Colliers Wilderness Reserve approximately 5 years ago. The Blue Iguana stayed with the team as they conducted their work and posed for a few photos.

On the 8th May 2022 (International Blue Iguana Day), the Cayman Islands Regiment adopted “Lissy” as their Blue Iguana who is the first Regiment Mascot for the Cayman Islands. Lissy currently resides at the Blue Iguana Conservation Facility. The National Trust for the Cayman Islands and Blue Iguana Conservation is proud of the continued partnership and collaboration with the Cayman Islands Regiment. We are grateful for their ongoing support in helping us with the Blue Iguana Conservation Programme and maintenance of our Protected Areas.

“We are incredibly grateful for the assistance of both the JDF and the C.I. Regiment. The airlift saved
countless hours of hiking through treacherous conditions in the Colliers Reserve where it is difficult and potentially dangerous to transport even the most basic equipment. Both the JDF and C.I. Regiment acted with admirable professionalism and we welcome the continued partnership with both” says Frank Roulstone, Executive Director of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands.

About the National Trust for the Cayman Islands
The National Trust for the Cayman Islands is a non-governmental organization whose mandate under the
National Trust Law (2010 Revision) includes the preservation of the historic, natural and maritime heritage of the Cayman Islands for present and future generations.

About the Blue Iguana Conservation Programme
The Blue Iguana Recovery Programme began in 1990 with only 30 dedicated Blue Iguanas and the primary goal to restore the wild population to 1,000 Blue Iguanas, encouraging viable population in the long-term. Having met its primary goal in 2018, the initiative formally transitioned to the Blue Iguana Conservation Programme in 2019 with a new focus of sustainably conserving the native species of Grand Cayman.

About the National Trust’s Environmental Programme The National Trust for the Cayman Islands’ environmental programme was founded on the concept that the protection of native plants and animals is best achieved by protecting the natural areas in which they depend.

About the National Trust Conservation Programme The National Trust for the Cayman Islands’ conservation programme strives to protect Cayman’s native species and the habitats in which they live, and includes the endemic Blue Iguana of Grand Cayman, the Sister Islands Rock Iguana and Cayman’s native bat species.

About the National Trust Historic Preservation Programme The National Trust for the Cayman Islands introduced the launching of its Historic Preservation Fund at its Annual General Meeting in September 2021 for the purpose of inviting increased support of its continuing efforts to encourage the preservation and protection of historic homes and buildings for present and future generations of the Cayman Islands.