Study Area Spotlight
Understanding the Cultural and Natural Heritage study

Grand Cayman is rich in heritage resources. Natural systems like the Central Mangrove Wetland (CMW) carry both cultural and natural heritage value for residents of the Cayman Islands. Caymanian traditions, foods, and historic architecture all contribute to the distinct cultural heritage that can be found on Grand Cayman.

In the 2022 Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) defines heritage as:

“All inherited assets which people value for reasons beyond mere utility. Heritage is a broad concept and includes shared legacies from the natural environment, the creations of humans and the creations and interactions between humans and nature. It encompasses built, terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments, landscapes and seascapes, biodiversity, geodiversity, collections, cultural practices, knowledge, living experiences, etc.”

Resources with heritage value also often have socio–economic, ecosystem service, hydrological, or resiliency values, among others. The EWA EIA focuses on taking a holistic view of these resources, understanding how they are interconnected across study disciplines.

Important Heritage Resources within the Study Area

To identify heritage resources within the study area, the project team looked at resources that receive legal protection as well as resources that contribute to the overall cultural identity of Grand Cayman.

Central Mangrove Wetland

The CMW is over 8,000 acres and is hydrologically connected to North Sound and Little Sound. Three species of mangrove (red, black, and white) dominate the system. This wetland provides habitat for native plants and animals, including the Cayman Parrot, the national bird of the Cayman Islands. Within the CMW, 1,500 acres that buffer Little Sound receive legal protection under the National Conservation Act (NCA). The NCA allows Cabinet to designate portions of Grand Cayman’s terrestrial or marine environments as protected areas. Meagre Bay Pond is also NCA protected land. Additionally, the National Trust owns over a thousand acres of CMW.

Mastic Reserve and Trail

The Mastic Reserve, over a thousand acres in size, houses several species that have contributed to the development and the identity of the Cayman Islands, including the national bird (Cayman Parrot mentioned above), the national tree (Silver Thatch Palm), the national flower (Banana Orchid), and endemic species like the black mastic tree and the white-crowned pigeon. It also offers cultural importance for local and visiting naturalists as it boasts some of the most unique habitat on Grand Cayman. The National Trust owns over 800 acres of Mastic Reserve.

The Mastic Trail is a 2.3-mile hiking trail that traverses north to south through the Mastic Reserve. The National Trust reports that the Mastic Trail’s history goes back further than a century, when the trail served as a major walking path that modern roads have since supplanted. In 1994, the Rotary Club located the original trail and removed forest overgrowth to restore it; in 1995, the trail was officially dedicated and opened to the public. Since the trail is within the public right of way, it is protected by the Public Lands Law (2020 Revision). The Mastic Trail offers visitors a look into some of the oldest habitat on Grand Cayman and a view of culturally important species like the Banana Orchid. Guided tours of the trail can be booked via the National Trust. The trail is a popular hiking destination for residents and visitors to the Cayman Islands and has received write-ups in travel journals including Frommer’s and U.S. News Travel.

Meagre Bay Pond

Located in Bodden Town near the southern coast, Meagre Bay Pond is one of Grand Cayman’s oldest protected areas. In 1976, the pond and a 300-foot-wide band of mangroves around it received protection as an Animal Sanctuary. In 2013, Meagre Bay Pond received designation as a protected area under the NCA. On February 15th, 2022, the Department of Environment (DoE)’s “Protected Area Management Plan for Meagre Bay Pond” was approved by Cabinet under section 10 (7) of the NCA. Part of this Management Plan focuses on allowing access to this natural heritage resource so that the public can experience the natural landscape and the numerous bird species of Meagre Bay Pond.

Built Environment

Elements like cemeteries and historical architecture are part of the fabric of Grand Cayman, and many of them can be found adjacent to local roadways within the study area. The National Trust’s Heritage Register is a valuable resource for nationally significant resources. The register is predominantly historic homes and civic and religious structures, though it also includes a few natural features.