The Trust's Environmental Programmes are founded on the concept that protection of native plants and animals is best achieved by protecting the natural areas upon which they depend.  Similarly, maintaining  natural processes such as groundwater, marine life and ecotourism attractions, require protection of large natural areas.  For these reasons, the Trust's first priority for the environment is the establishment of a system of protected areas.

 

The National Trust's Environmental Programmes Department directly supports the Ministry of Environment. Please refer to the Environmental Programmes Contribution to Government Efforts page for further information.

The area of Trust-owned environmentally important lands has risen steadily, and now stands at 3,133 acres thanks to land purchase (possible though cash donations), gift or crown transfer. (For examples, see the list of Information Sheets on the left.)

 

Setting priorities for acquisition of protected areas and managing them once they are protected, requires scientific information about the Cayman Islands' 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 the Trust's Visiting Scientists Programme.

 

Certain endangered species unique to the Cayman Islands are faced with problems so severe that habitat protection alone can not secure their long-term survival.  The Trust therefore also engages in a few species conservation programmes.  High profile work on flagship species also stimulates valuable public awareness of conservation issues.