The National Trust for the Cayman Islands’ Annual General Meeting was recently held to introduce the new Council and to highlight the organisation’s most recent achievements.
According to the former Chairperson, Carla Reid, during the past year the National Trust increased its land holdings by 177 acres.
The organisation now holds approximately 2,700 acres of land in trust for future generations.
The National Trust has also entered into a contract to purchase a further three acres at the southern end of the Mastic Trail.
The acquisition of this land could allow for a parking lot and restrooms to make the Mastic Trail experience more convenient.
Fundraising highlights for the year included the 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner and Auction, which raised over $40,000, and the Art Auction hosted by Governor Stuart Jack, which raised over $50,000.
Each of the National Trust’s programmes achieved significant successes over the past year:
Despite an attack earlier this year on the breeding population of Blue Iguanas, Fred Burton, director of the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme, says that hatchlings may reach record numbers this year.
‘…all indications are that the numbers of new hatchling Blue Iguanas being reared for release this year, will exceed 100 for the first time in the history of the Programme,’ Mr. Burton wrote in his report.
BIRP was also a joint-recipient of a European Union grant for the Management of Protected Areas, along with the Turks and Caicos National Trust and the British Virgin Islands National Trust.
Mrs. Reid said: ‘This grant, although not yet in hand, will allow the programme to expand in new and exciting directions…’
Meanwhile, the accomplishments of the Historic Programmes, under the direction of Denise Bodden, included the cleaning of Miss Izzy’s School site in West Bay, and exterior repairs on the Eldemire House in Cayman Brac.
The Eldemire House did not receive any major damage during Hurricane Paloma.
In addition, the recently rebuilt Mission House in Bodden Town now features a Cayman Islands National Museum exhibit.
Ms. Bodden also presented Historic Preservation Awards to the owners of three properties of local significance.
The Hislop House on Hospital Road, the Panton House behind Hard Rock Café and Lawson Wood’s home in Cayman Brac, all received plaques to commemorate their historic importance.
The Education Programmes, headed by Marnie Laing, the Bat Conservation Programme, headed by Lois Blumenthal, and Cayman Wildlife Rescue, headed by Alison Corbett. also experienced individual successes during the past year.
‘Whilst it is true that we have come a long way and accomplished much… we cannot rest on our laurels,’ Mrs. Reid said at the meeting.
‘Rather, we should strive to build on the solid foundation that we now have and move forward to a position of increased financial independence. I am confident that the new Trust Council has the ability and determination to do just that and wish them good luck.’
The Council for 2009 includes Chairperson Roger Corbin, Deputy Chair Wayne Panton, Treasurer Gary Redfern, Secretary, Lois Blumenthal, Gina Ebanks-Petrie, Darvin Ebanks, Andrea Bothwell, Patricia Bradley, Tessa Bodden, Kenny Ryan, Clarence King Flowers, Jennifer Hunter and Janet Walker.
The District Chairs are: for Cayman Brac, Martin Keeley; for Little Cayman, Debbi Truchan; for George Town, Suzan Merren; for West Bay, Alice-Mae Coe; and for Bodden Town, Susan Goetze.
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