Environmental

ABOUT OUR
ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME

Our environmental programme was founded on the concept that the protection of native plants and animals is best achieved by protecting the natural areas on which they depend. Similarly, maintaining natural processes such as groundwater, marine life and ecotourism attractions require the protection of large natural areas.

For these reasons, our first priority for Cayman’s natural environment is the establishment of a system of protected areas.

SEE OUR PROGRAMMES

Contribute to the Preservation of Critical Natural Habitats & Offset Your Carbon Footprint

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.

Setting priorities for the acquisition of protected areas and managing them once they are acquired requires scientific information about our natural environment. A detailed survey of our remaining dry forests has been a focus since 1997 with the launch of the Biodiversity Survey, together with ongoing environmental research facilitated by our Visiting Scientists Programme.

This research forms the basis of our decision-making in terms of which plant and animal species, as well as the environmental sites in which they live, are most in need of protection.