The National Trust
50 Saltmills Plaza, 363 Grace Bay Road, Grace Bay, Providenciales
Established in 1992, the Turks and Caicos National Trust is a quasi-governmental organization that works to protect the islands’ cultural, historical, and natural heritage for present and future generations to enjoy.
This entails managing and maintaining a register of significant sites throughout the country. Many of these sites are popular with tourists, including the Conch Bar Caves on Middle Caicos and Little Water Cay, the primary habitat of the Turks and Caicos Islands Rock Iguana.
At any given time, the Trust is collaborating on several projects and educational programs with its international partners. These include eradicating invasive green iguanas and casuarina, conducting wildlife surveys and trash clean-ups, and organizing conservation outreach programs in local schools and at its sites.
Funding for the Trust comes from the Turks and Caicos Government, money generated from admission to National Trust sites, and membership payments, among other streams.
National Trust Sites
As of 2024, the National Trust manages seven sites in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
These sites are entrusted to the organization by the Turks and Caicos Government. Most of them charge small entry fees that go towards upkeep of the property.
Trust sites are legally protected, and negatively interfering with a Trust site can result in jail time and a steep fine. Any attempt to deface Trust property, take wildlife or artifacts from it, start a fire on-site (except where the organization’s by-laws permit) or refuse to leave Trust property when required to do so may be subject to a fine of $5,000, a term of imprisonment of one year, or both.
The Trust has the right to close a site or facility if it deems necessary, whether to safeguard public health and safety or rehabilitate an area.
Structure of the National Trust
The Turks and Caicos National Trust is governed by a Trust Council, whose members are elected annually. These include a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, treasurer, and a representative for each of the inhabited islands, among other roles.
The Trust’s operations are based on Providenciales. The organization is composed of full-time staff and members who volunteer their time and talents with the Trust at various events and initiatives. Anyone interested in volunteering with the Trust should reach out to them directly.
Public Outreach Programs
The Turks and Caicos National Trust hosts conservation outreach programs in schools throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands, with the majority held in schools on Providenciales. These programs educate young people in the islands about the country’s history and culture through various activities, from field trips to Trust sites to cultural camps in the summer.