The Splits now all in National Trust hands
(CNS): One of the most pristine areas of Cayman Brac, a unique inland freshwater ecosystem known as The Splits, is now protected in all its natural beauty thanks to a second donation to the National Trust for the Cayman Islands by its former owners. The family of the late Dr Roy Herrman and Estelle Herrman has given 8.6 acres to the Trust to add to the adjoining 17.5 acres they gifted in 2004. Both donations, totalling 26.1 acres, were facilitated by the International Reptile Conservation Fund. The limestone Bluff, which runs along the length of the island, has a “split” down its centre, in some places so narrow it can be stepped across. However, at The Splits, in the West End of the island, it is at its widest and the deep natural fissure provides one of the few year-round sources of water to the birds and animals of the Brac.
The Splits is an area of ecological significance as it is a nesting site for two species of heron, home to two endemic species of freshwater fish and a popular watering hole for local and migratory birds.
“In fond memory of our parents, Dr Roy and Estelle Herrman, we gift our Cayman Brac land to the Trust to help maintain a pristine home for rare birds and animals,” the Herrman sisters, Shirley, Barbara, Louise, and Carol, said in a written statement to the Trust. “We have very fond memories of time spent on Cayman Brac and the white sandy beach overlooking sparkling blue water, and this is our way of giving back to such a beautiful island.”
"Conserving this land is critical for preserving the beauty and biodiversity of our islands and the Splits is one of Cayman Brac’s true ecological gems being one of the very few inland sites with freshwater year round. With the exception of a rough footpath from the north, the site is undisturbed and contains many endemic and native plants,” Christina McTaggart, executive director for the Trust, said. “We thank the landowners for their generosity and vision in permanently protecting this natural treasure.”
For more information on the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, log on to www.nationaltrust.org.ky or call 749-1121.
For free nature tourism guides on Cayman Brac visit www.naturecayman.com or call (345) 948-2222 ext. 4420 (w) or (345) 916-8457(c), or email Chevala.Burke@gov.ky or naturecayman@gov.ky.
Category: Science and Nature
Funny thing. You can infer, to an extent, that CNS's readership cares about a topic by the number of posts. Gay cruisehip coming? Hundredsof posts. Land being preserved for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations? Near silence.
Does anyone here really care about the little rock they live on?
i have an idea. use the splits for tourists to swim with their kids for 50 bucks an hour! that's the way to make money! and no diving allowed! you can smoke weed all you want! (:))>)
What a stupid comment. You must be smoking cow itch.
Don't try to hike to The Split alone. It's indeeda rough footpath and a fall could cut you pretty bad. Help is not close by. And when I tried to hike it in 2012, the footpath disappeared toward the end.
Wonderful. And if you further want to keep most of our beautiful beaches from being owned by people who are too greedy, insensitive,and insecure to allow locals to have easy access to swim, you need not worry – all we need to do is DONATE to the Trust or any non-for-profit organization. Because at the end of the day, government is all about selling out the country. So I appeal to all to DONATE, DONATE, DONATE, DONATE! You may not have political influence, but you sure can dig your hands in your pockets and contribute something for a worthy cause like securing important lands and beaches in the Cayman Islands. Peace and Love 🙂