- October 6, 2025
- General
(L-R): Richard Ellison – RF Bank & Trust (Consultant); Leanni Tibbets – Sustainable Cayman (Sustainability Ambassador)
GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands – RF Bank & Trust (Cayman) has joined forces with Sustainable Cayman to launch the South Sound Coastal Mangrove Restoration Trial, a community-driven initiative designed to restore red mangrove habitats along Grand Cayman’s South Sound Boardwalk. The project, fully funded by RF, is a timely climate adaptation measure which promises to reduce coastal erosion, promote biodiversity, and expand public awareness of the environmental, economic, and cultural importance of mangrove ecosystems. The initiative reflects RF’s long-term strategy of integrating environmental sustainability with economic resilience. As extreme weather events intensify across the Caribbean, RF believes the private sector has a critical role to play in safeguarding both natural and financial assets.
The first round of planting for South Sound Coastal Mangrove Restoration Trial took place on 25 September 2025 and saw roughly 30 red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) seedlings replanted. Sustainable Cayman adopted the efficient and economical “pocket-scale” planting technique, which could prove replicable in restoring coastal mangrove ecosystems at other sites across the Cayman Islands and broader Caribbean.
Mangroves are one of the region’s most critical natural assets, serving as natural seawalls, carbon sinks, and nurseries for juvenile fish. The Cayman Islands are home to one of the largest central mangrove wetlands in the Caribbean, and the preservation of such ecosystems remains paramount in the face of urban development and a warming planet.
In sponsoring this crucial project, RF Bank & Trust underscores its commitment to supporting community-led solutions to climate change. “We are pleased to partner with Sustainable Cayman for this important ecological intervention,” said Richard Ellison, Consultant at RF Bank & Trust (Cayman). “As a regional bank deeply rooted in our communities, we champion sustainability in its broadest sense: be it building lasting wealth for our clients, or supporting environmental projects that protect and sustain the islands we call home.”
Partners across Cayman have rallied behind the effort. Adam Jackson, Lead Aquarist at the Cayman Turtle Conservation and Education Centre (CTCEC), emphasised the ecological benefits: “Mangroves are very beneficial in helping to prevent coastal erosion and preserving our fisheries. We’re happy to have donated 30 of our mangroves to this initiative; we’re hoping it will be very successful and we remain open to doing it again. I would encourage anyone who would like to volunteer for future initiatives to reach out via our website: turtle.ky.”
For Sustainable Cayman, the project signals a watershed in community-driven conservation. “Today marks an exciting milestone in our journey toward preserving and restoring the environment that sustains us,” said Leanni Tibbetts, Sustainability Ambassador at Sustainable Cayman. “This trial is not just about planting mangroves—it’s about creating a lasting impact for our community and future generations. I am proud to have been a part of this initiative alongside valued volunteers and partners, including RF Trust and Grant Thornton. This trial is just the beginning, and I am hopeful it will inspire others to recognise the importance of mangrove ecosystems and join us in safeguarding them for years to come.”
RF Bank & Trust is proud to take the lead in supporting the South Sound Mangrove Restoration Trial. We will continue to advance community-driven projects across the Caribbean that safeguard the natural capital on which all economic prosperity depends.
About RF
Since its inception in 1997, RF has been committed to helping our clients create and manage wealth. We are your regional private bank connecting with the best in local and international investments. Collectively, we have helped clients raise over USD $2.2 billion in capital, have $1.4 Billion under management and 2 billion+ assets under administration. Offering a wide range of investment products and services, our financial solutions are designed to help individuals and corporate clients meet and achieve their investment goals. These include Mutual Funds, Investment Management, Investment Banking, Group & Personal Pension Plans, Personal Retirement Accounts, Stock Brokerage, Trust & Estate Planning, and Educational Investment Accounts.
For more information, please visit http://www.rfgroup.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @rfbanktrust.
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Ethan Knowles
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