Avid followers of the National Trust's Blue Iguana Recovery Programme will recall in October 2003 the project received a grant from the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund, to introduce Blue Iguana related resources to the Cayman Islands National Curriculum for schools. The work is already well underway, led by project consultant Juliet Austin in liaison with teaching colleagues and the Education Department.

As part of the original bid to Disney, the National Trust committed to raising the balance of funds needed to realize this project's full potential. The Trust took this rather daunting challenge to Deutsche Bank (Cayman) Ltd., and Deutsche Bank's Board responded last week - with tremendous enthusiasm and US$ 52,000!

“Deutsche Bank is proud to be a part of this worthy programme”, states Marketing Manager Sophie Ebanks-Hendrie. “We are committed to the future of the Cayman Islands, and what better way to do this than through the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme. The programme is dedicated to the restoration of our indigenous wildlife – the Blue Iguana – through education targeted to our young Caymanians. Education will always be the key for the future of Cayman and our wildlife. The Gerald Durrell Wildlife Trust in Jersey, Channel Islands has been actively involved in this and other projects to preserve endangered species, and our Jersey head office has had a long association with them. So it is nice that after 20 years here, we can do our bit to help Cayman's Blue Iguana.”

The combined Deutsche Bank and Disney funds now cover the costs to produce high quality curriculum modules for Pre-school, through Key Stages 1 and 2, covering many aspects of science, language arts and other subjects. "Blue Dragon Treasure Chests" filled with teaching and learning tools, and a DVD all about the Cayman Blue Iguana, will be part of the package. Further resources will be developed for key stages 3 and 4. Throughout all, the Blue Iguana, its habitats, related animals and plants, and the conservation program will be used to illustrate and teach knowledge and skills specifically called for in the National Curriculum.

Observes the Programme's Director Fred Burton, "The "Year of the Blue Dragon" has heightened awareness of the plight of our unique Cayman Blue Iguana throughout the entire community. But that kind of awareness can quickly fade. By matching an educational resource need with a conservation need, I hope we will be helping forge a more permanent connection between young people and our natural heritage. With a bit of help from a giant blue lizard, a bank, and an entertainment company!"

Read all about BIRP - the Blue Iguana Recovery Program

The combined Deutsche Bank and Disney funds now cover the costs to produce high quality curriculum modules for Pre-school, through Key Stages 1 and 2, covering many aspects of science, language arts and other subjects.

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