There are seven District Committees of the National Trust, one for each of the five districts of Grand Cayman – West Bay, George Town, Bodden Town, North Side and East End – as well as one each for the islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Under the National Trust Law (2010 Revision), each committee is led by an elected chairman who holds office for the duration of one year, until the next annual meeting is held. As at the 2020/21 Annual General Meeting, only six District Committees are currently active: West Bay, George Town, Bodden Town, East End, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
Under the National Trust Law (2010 Revision), each District Commmittee is responsible for:
Participation in Trust projects within its district;
Surveying and inventorying significant cultural and natural resources, which are then used to add to or edit existing entries of the Trust’s National Heritage Register;
Monitoring the condition of properties on the inventory – Trust-owned and privately-owned – and informing the National Trust Council of any threats to heritage sites;
Promoting the preservation of Caymanian heritage within its district; and
Establishing goals and proposing projects within its district.
Members of district committees may participate in an official capacity (i.e. treasurer, secretary, chairman etc) or in a supporting role.
Bodden Town
The Bodden Town District Committee focuses its efforts on the ongoing care of the Trust’s existing historic within Grand Cayman’s district of Bodden Town, namely the Trust’s signature property, the Mission House, Guard House Park and Jackson Wall Manor.
In addition, the committee identifies potential historic properties within the district that have been deemed culturally significant and should be considered for acquisition by the Trust. It also organises vital fundraising initiatives to support the care and upkeep of its historic properties.
Cayman Brac
Maintaining the charm of Cayman Brac’s rugged environment is at the heart of the Cayman Brac District Committee’s efforts. The committee has been involved in identifying and securing vital environmentally-sensitive land in Cayman Brac like the Splits and the Marshes, as well as the conservation of native species, such as the endangered Cayman Brac Parrot.
The Cayman Brac District Committee is also actively involved in the conservation of the Sister Islands Rock Iguana and eradication of the invasive Green Iguana species, a joint effort with the Little Cayman District Committee.
Other efforts include driving education and public awareness across Cayman Brac’s schools, identifying historic sites of cultural importance, organising beach clean-ups, leading hikes through Trust nature sites on Cayman Brac and leading fundraising activities.
George Town
The George Town District Committee focuses its efforts on the ongoing care of the Trust’s existing historic sites within Grand Cayman’s district of George Town, namely Fort George, Dr. Roy’s Ironshore and Watlers Cemetery.
In addition, the committee identifies potential historic properties within the district that have been deemed culturally significant and should be considered for acquisition by the Trust. It also organises vital fundraising initiatives to support the care and upkeep of its historic properties.
Little Cayman
The Little Cayman District Committee works hard to preserve the natural beauty of Little Cayman, the smallest of the trio of islands that make up the Cayman Islands. Many of the flora and fauna found on Little Cayman are endangered and unique to the island.
Two of the primary efforts of the Little Cayman District Committee are to manage the conservation of the Sister Islands Rock Iguana on Little Cayman and oversee the upkeep and preservation of the Booby Pond. Other efforts include tackling the influx of the invasive Green Iguana on the island, organising beach clean-ups and hosting an annual Easter Silent Auction event, one of the Trust’s largest fundraising events.
The Gladys B. Howard Little Cayman National Trust Visitors’ Centre is located at the Booby Pond and is an ideal place to learn more about the island and its wildlife, as well as the efforts of the Little Cayman District Committee.
The West Bay District Committee focuses its efforts on the ongoing care of the Trust’s existing historic properties within Grand Cayman’s district of West Bay, namely Nurse Leila’s House and Miss Izzy’s Schoolhouse.
In addition, the committee identifies potential historic properties within the district that have been deemed culturally significant and should be considered for acquisition by the Trust It also organises vital fundraising initiatives to support the care and upkeep of its historic properties.
