National Trust launches after-school conservation club

(CNS): The National Trust has launched a new education initiative at a local school with the help of sponsorship from the private sector. The after school programme “Heritage Heroes”  Youth Conservation Club at Triple C School is aimed at middle school students and will teach them the importance of protecting the natural environment, history and culture of the Cayman. Sudents will learn about the Cayman Islands’ unique natural, built and cultural heritage through participating in environmental and historic field trips, community service and practical skills including wildlife encounters, eco-projects, catboat sailing, thatch weaving, kitchen band music and Caymanian cooking.

The Club also boasts its own cast of original superheroe characters based on Cayman Islands’ heritage icons such as Cayman Knight —  Caymanite rock, Orchidia – the Ghost Orchid, Thatch Woman  — Silver Thatch Trees and Ironwood Man — Ironwood trees.  The Trust plans to host an island wide competition for the creation of a 5th original superhero throughout all the schools.

“We would not have been able to reach a new segment of students outside of a traditional classroom setting without the generous support of Walkers and PwC. Their generous co-sponsorship will help foster conservation-minded future leaders who have a strong sense of national pride and identity” said Christina Pineda, National Trust Executive Director.

Andrew Miller, Partner and member of Walkers Charitable Foundatio said the initiative lined up the firms “charitable objectives” adding that it was “extremely important for our youth to know and appreciate the cultural history of our island. We thank the National Trust for implementing such a valuable programme and we know the children will have fun learning all about the heritage of the Cayman Islands.”

Meanwhile, PwC Assurance and Business Development Senior Manager Angilynn Baraud said the firm was “pleased to reaffirm its commitment to educating young people and helping them discover what they can do to make their country more sustainable.”

The Trust aims to expand “Heritage Heroes” to an additional school and offer the programme components to existing youth service organizations such as the Duke ofEdinburgh Award, Girl’s Brigade and Boy Scouts in 2015.

For more information on “Heritage Heroes” visit our website at www.nationaltrust.org.ky or call 749-1121.