12th January 2022 – 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 through the preservation of areas, sites, buildings, structures and objects of historic or cultural significance.

Accordingly, in keeping with its mandate, the National Trust for the Cayman Islands (NTCI) has now formally launched its ‘Historic Preservation Fund’, for the purpose of giving persons and organisations an alternative convenient method by which to financially contribute and directly support the preservation, protection and promotion of built heritage throughout the Cayman Islands.

“We encourage our community to contribute to the Historic Preservation Fund and, by so doing, join the NTCI’s legacy of protecting Cayman’s treasured historic sites. There has always been a need for specific funding to protect the historic structures from our past, which in many instances require a substantial amount of maintenance and care” stated Annick Jackman, Executive Director of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands.

A fundamental part of the NTCI’s Historic Programme involves documenting the buildings from our past that bare a special significance as a result of distinguishing characteristics such as the material used in their construction, the persons who built them, the time at which they were built and the events that took place in the location. In addition, our Historic Programme offers an educational component through visiting schools, preparing educational materials, and providing tours to our historic properties, as well as by ensuring the preservation of historic sites that are safeguarded by the National Trust. “It is of the greatest importance that efforts are made to reach out to the public for assistance at this time, as Cayman’s culture and heritage have never been so at risk by the rapid pace of development and a deficit of general knowledge around the area of Cayman built heritage,” Ms. Jackman added.

Currently, there are 12 historic sites, across the three islands, that make up the National Trust’s inventory which require continuous maintenance, advocacy, oversight, research and data collection, as well as fundraising. However, there are scores more (which are not owned or managed by the National Trust) that could benefit greatly from the reach/remit of our Historic Programme and the newly launched Historic Preservation Fund.

Our online Heritage Register, https://caymanislandsnationaltrust.catalogaccess.com/, which keeps records of such buildings, is an informative and useful reference resource for the public. The data complied therein is an important part of managing our development and tracking the level of change to Cayman’s unique characteristics.

The benefits of maintaining Cayman’s built heritage cannot be understated and although many may have always viewed the National Trust as an environmental organisation, our mandate also has a strong focus on history; hence the development of the Historic Preservation Fund, which will now exists in tandem with the NTCI’s Land Reserve Fund. Both Funds are of equal importance in the carrying out of its mandate, and therefore vital to the betterment of preserving Cayman’s unique sites of historical and environmental significance.

Chairman of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, Mr. Olson Anderson noted:

“The Historic Preservation Fund of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands is a fantastic way to get the community actively involved in directly preserving their heritage and culture. It offers people a practical way to make a difference in the community and an opportunity to contribute to the Islands in a way that will have lasting results.”

As we continue to celebrate our 35th Anniversary and legacy of the National Trust, stay tuned for more exciting updates!

For more information on how to contribute to the National Trust for the Cayman Islands’ Historic Preservation Fund, please email [email protected] or donate online www.nationaltrust.org.ky please specify in your online donation “Historic Preservation Fund”.

The National Trust for the Cayman Islands thanks the Public for their continued support.

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.