Invest in Cayman’s Natural Capital
Contribute to the Preservation of Critical Natural Habitats and Local Biodiversity with Island Offsets
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Currently, the National Trust protects 6% of Cayman’s natural environment. Our goal is to safeguard 11% of our vital ecosystems across all three islands.
The National Trust for the Cayman Islands (NTCI) partners with the local NGO, Island Offsets, to provide an avenue for local businesses and individuals to offset their carbon footprint by donating to the mangrove fund for the purchase and protection of wetland areas that would have otherwise been deforested. Unavoidable carbon emissions are offset through the preservation of this carbon-rich ecosystem to achieve net-zero or carbon neutrality.
Donations made to our Land Reserve Fund (US tax-deductible options are available) help give us the financial support needed to procure critical natural habitats including mangroves, ancient forests, and other vital areas of land across our three islands. These environmentally sensitive areas are legally protected in perpetuity for the people of the Cayman Islands. Help to contribute to the preservation of critical ecosystems.
The National Trust for the Cayman Islands has been approved by the Charities Aid Foundation America as a 501C3 partner. Click here to make a donation to our Land Reserve Fund.
Traveling? How much to offset your carbon footprint on your next flight
Offset your unavoidable carbon emissions with projects that benefit the Cayman Islands through climate mitigation, biodiversity protection, and the enhancement of community resilience by protecting local mangrove ecosystems.
Invest in Cayman’s Natural Capital
Island Offsets provides businesses and individuals with a practical way to take responsibility for their carbon footprint while investing directly in the protection of Cayman’s threatened natural ecosystems.
Carbon emissions provide a measurable basis for calculating a climate contribution, but carbon is only part of the value of the ecosystems we protect. Mangroves also provide critical wildlife habitat, support fisheries, filter water, reduce flooding and storm impacts, and strengthen the resilience of our islands.
100% of Island Offsets contributions are directed to the National Trust for the Cayman Islands for the purchase and permanent protection of threatened mangrove and wetland habitat.
Email environment@nationaltrust.org.ky
Beyond Carbon
Carbon is one way of measuring the value of protecting nature – but it tells only part of the story.
Mangroves are among Cayman’s most valuable natural assets. In addition to storing significant quantities of carbon, they provide habitat for native wildlife, nursery grounds for fish and other marine species, support fisheries and food security, filter water entering our coastal ecosystems, and help protect communities from flooding and storm surge.
Island Offsets therefore takes a broader approach to climate action. Contributions calculated using carbon emissions are invested in protecting whole ecosystems by safeguarding carbon, biodiversity, ocean health and community resilience together.
Protecting nature protects people.
The Value Of Mangroves
The Central Mangrove Wetland is the ecological heart of Grand Cayman. Totaling 8,655 acres, the wetland performs several physical and biological functions which are economically and culturally important to the island. The Central Mangrove Wetland (CMW) of Grand Cayman is the largest unbroken system of mangroves in the entire Caribbean. Saving this wetland will make a real difference.
- Currently, the National Trust protects 1,032 acres, around 12%, as part of its Central Mangrove Wetland reserve.
- Critical ecosystems are disappearing at an alarming rate. Western Grand Cayman has lost more than 70% of its mangrove habitats since the 1970s.
- 64% of the Central Mangrove Wetland is privately owned and at risk of being developed.
- Mangroves are critical in solving the climate and biodiversity crises while improving the resilience of the local community.
- Mangroves store significantly more carbon than other forests.
- This Blue Carbon is also more secure because it is predominantly stored in the soil rather than the trees, and so won’t be lost in a forest fire or disease outbreak.
- Mangroves provide habitat for many fish species, endemic animals like the Cayman Parrot, and migratory birds that rely on Cayman as a stopover site. While the world is experiencing a biodiversity crisis, we can protect our local wildlife.
- Mangroves act as a first line of defence from storms and waves, protecting nearby communities. As storms are forecast to become stronger with climate change, this fact becomes more significant.
- Because of evaporation over the trees and shallow water of the mangroves, these forests create their own rainfall, supplying about 40% of the rain on the western side of Grand Cayman. This could ameliorate the more frequent droughts that are forecast for the region.
- Mangrove forests are structurally diverse ecosystems, sustaining high biodiversity as well as rich seafood supplies. Partly submerged in the ocean, mangroves form a tangled web of above-ground roots, creating a unique and complex habitat for all sorts of marine life. These species are attracted to mangrove forests for the high food availability, cooler water with higher oxygen content and the refuge they provide.
- Mangroves provide a protected nursery for numerous fishes, crustaceans, shellfish, and juvenile sharks for their early stages of life. As a safe haven, mangroves provide both a food source and shelter for marine life, many of which will move to living on our reef.
- Mangroves act like a sponge, absorbing excess rainfall during flooding events which are expected to become more common with climate change.