The National Trust for the Cayman Islands’ Land Reserve Fund is ahead of the game this year with the launch of its 2018 fundraising and education season. The Trust has some challenging goals to meet in order continue preserving native habitats in the Cayman Islands where so many indigenous but endangered species of trees, plants, birds and animals live.

The National Trust is the only local charitable organization committed to the stewardship and protection of undeveloped land, and the Land Reserve Fund was created specifically to ensure that the funds from donations which are specifically earmarked for land purchase are used wisely, prudently and effectively. The land owned by the National Trust is protected in perpetuity.

While development is inevitable, more and more wild areas which make up the habitats of our native plants and animals are being cleared and developed. Unless we work quickly to set aside land for preservation, our indigenous species will be lost forever. But we still have the chance to make the Cayman Islands more resilient to this change by continuing to work on creating a system of protected areas.

With help from donors, the National Trust is able to acquire areas, designated as “high priority” environmental areas, for protection under the National Trust for the Cayman Islands Law (1997 Revision). And focus does not just fall on Grand Cayman; the preservation of environmentally sensitive areas in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman is essential to protect the overall biodiversity and environmental health of all three islands.

One of the main aims for 2018 is to raise sufficient funds to purchase specific areas that have been identified as being crucial to the preservation of biodiversity in the Cayman Islands, across Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac.

Although fund raising is a primary focus, the Land Reserve team at the National Trust is not just about raising money. The team is passionate about educating the residents of the Cayman Islands, and beyond, about the importance of the preservation of our unique islands. The team hosts a wide range of activities to do this, such as giving talks and lectures within schools and colleges, and public events; working with scientists to assess and identify the most essential areas of land for preservation; taking the public on organized walks along nature trails, such as the iconic Mastic Trail, so they can better understand the importance of these areas, but also enjoy their natural beauty; the team also carries out surveys and environmental studies which are essential to monitoring and understanding how the scope of Cayman’s biodiversity is changing.

“The team at the National Trust work tirelessly to understand, identify and preserve the areas of land that are crucial to ensuring the unique and diverse range of plants, trees and creatures that we have here in Cayman. Education plays a huge part in the work we are doing, and we need the next generations of Caymanians to be as passionate, if not more passionate, about maintaining the crucial balance between preservation and development” said Christina Pineda. She continued, “As we fast approach 2018, we are excited to have a new and varied programme of events and activities lined up which focus not only on fund raising, but also on working with schools on an engaging research project and competition. You are going to see and hear a lot more from the team throughout 2018, and we look forward to keeping you up to date on our fund raising and educational activities and competitions, and the successes of the programs that we are able to implement, with some much-needed help from you our donors of course.”

National Trust Environmental Programmes Manager Stuart Mailer said “Without action, survival of Cayman’s native wild plants and animals cannot be guaranteed, but we need the help of the community. If you would like to learn more about the how you can help or get further information about the work of the Land Reserve Fund or how to become a Friend or a Benefactor of the National Trust, then please get in touch or come on down and talk to one of the team at the National Trust office at the Family Park on South Sound.”