The forest next to North Side’s Malportas Pond Bird Sanctuary has 50 new trees thanks to a donation from Cayman National Bank.
Senior staff at the bank joined National Trust staff and representatives from the Ministry of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency on 1 Nov. to plant a selection of native trees, which produce fruit and flowers that attract birds.
According to a press release from the bank, the trees will form the entrance to five acres of land acquired by the National Trust acquired in 2019.
The land is adjacent to the pond, which is a birding hotspot for local and migratory birds, including herons, ducks, as well as the famous flamingo visitor from earlier this year. The release notes that the shores of the pond are an important breeding ground for least terns, whose numbers are in decline.
The donation of the 50 trees from Cayman National is part of the banks 50th anniversary celebrations this year.
“Cayman National’s commitment to sustainability and ESG principles encompasses products and services, such as our GreenLiving programme, to the way we give back in the community,” said Janet Hislop in the release. “The National Trust does invaluable work in conserving our natural environment and preserving our built heritage and we are proud to partner with them on this tree planting initiative.”
The donated trees will line both sides of the pathway leading from the entrance on North Side Road to Malportas Pond, providing shade for visitors as well as food for local wildlife, the release noted. It added that the National Trust also has plans to build two viewing platform for birdwatchers to enjoy the diversity of wildlife at Malportas Pond.
The mangroves fringing the ponds are home to West Indian whistling ducks, while snowy egrets use the island in the middle of the pond as an overnight roost. Migratory visitors include roseate spoonbills, American avocets and flocks of white-rumped sandpipers which stop over each year on their 9,000-mile trip from South America to Canada.
“The National Trust greatly appreciates the community spirit of Cayman National in support of our efforts to rehabilitate and preserve the coastal areas surrounding Malportas Pond,” said Frank Roulstone, executive director of the National Trust. “The dry woodland ecosystem around the pond supports a diverse range of native animals and plants, some of which are unique to these islands.”
Malportas Pond Bird Sanctuary is admission-free and is open to year-round to birdwatchers and visitors in North Side.
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