St Helena National Trust

The St Helena National Trust is a statutory body, established under the St Helena National Trust Ordinance of 2001 (amended by Ordinances 2 of 2008, 14 of 2017, 3 of 2019). We are also a not-for-profit membership organisation that relies on donations to continue conserving and protecting St Helena’s built, cultural and natural heritage.

The Saint Helena National Trust is an independent not-for-profit organization which aims to preserve Saint Helena’s environmental and cultural heritage. It was founded on 22 May 2002, the 500th anniversary of Saint Helena’s discovery.

The trust was established under the St Helena National Trust Ordinance, 2001. Its principle objectives are to preserve, maintain, manage, protect and augment, tender advice, promote access to and enjoyment of land, buildings, animal life, plant life, marine life, furniture, pictures, and documents and chattels of any description having national or historic or artistic interest.

The Trust’s mission is to champion St Helena’s heritage through collaboration, engagement, proactive management and partnerships.

Here are a few of our projects:

Membership

Join the St Helena National Trust today!

Annual Membership fees starts at as little as £3 per person or £5 per family for on-island individuals; junior membership (up to 16 years of age) is just £0.50.

We welcome membership from overseas supporters with annual fees of £30 per person or £50 per family; £10 for junior members.

For supporters wishing to show longer-term commitment to the mission and values of the Trust we provide Life Membership. The current fees comprise £100 for island residents and £500 for overseas members.

Adopt a Wirebird

At the Trust we are proud to be leading conservation of the Wirebird: the island’s only surviving endemic land bird, which is categorised as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Each January we complete a census and year round we manage habitat and control predators. You can support the good work of the Trust and help conserve the St Helena Plover (aka Wirebird) through a donation of just £10.

Plant an endemic tree

One of the most significant areas of the Trust’s work is the Millennium Forest that extends over some 19 ha of the 225 ha National Conservation Area: a highly eroded site with little original soil, situated on the edge of the area once known as the Great Wood.

Established as a Community Forest project principally for endemic Gumwood and Ebony restoration, Millennium Forest has been a flagship project since the Trust’s formation, receiving recognition with an international Blue Turtle Award for nature conservation in 2010.

Sponsored tree planting supports the ongoing restoration work at Millennium Forest and recognises individual commitment to conservation of St Helena’s endemic environment. At just £10 per tree, it also provides a unique way to mark a special event or make a dedication to a loved one.

Volunteering

For a Day, Month or More? Volunteering with the Trust can be a huge help as you can really get involved and see work progress while learning valuable skills or giving us some of yours!

If you are interested, please get in touch with Sheena Benjamin, our Education and Outreach Manager on:

Tel: (00290) 22224
Email: sheena.benjamin@trust.org.sh

Governance
Trust Council provides the charity’s governing body and comprises elected individual members, co-opted society representatives and Governor-in-Council appointees. As a statutory body, the governance structure and processes of the charity are prescribed in the St Helena National Trust Ordinance of 2001 (amended by Ordinances 2 of 2008, 14 of 2017, 3 of 2019) and attendant Regulations (amended January 2020). All Trust Council members also sign up to a suite of governing principles and are required to make formal declarations of interest. The Director is accountable for the day-to-day management of the Trust with exceptions set out in a schedule of matters reserved for Trust Council.

You can visit the Trust’s HQ at:

Broadway House
Mainstreet
Jamestown
St Helena Island

For correspondence, please write to:

St Helena National Trust
PO Box 113
St Helena Island
South Atlantic Ocean
STHL 1ZZ

*Please be aware that receipt of post can be significantly delayed. For all time-sensitive matters, do please email or telephone our Office Manager, Amanda Constantine.

Email: amanda.constantine@trust.org.sh
Telephone: (+290) 22190