The Protected Areas Trust (PAT) was established as a corporate body under the Protected Areas Act 2011, and the Trust Fund was set-up to provide co-financing for the management of the National Protected Areas System (NPAS) in Guyana, principally through the Protected Areas Commission (PAC). PAT provides co-financing for the management of Kaieteur National Park, Kanuku Mountains Protected Area and the coastal Shell Beach Protected Area . It also supports the new and innovative Kanashen Amerindian Protected Area, a community-owned protected area covering 3% of the country. The Trust Fund functions as an endowment fund to preserve the capital while investing globally to earn annual returns of approximately 5%. Revenues generated are used to support projects that contribute to, or promote, the conservation and preservation of the biological diversity and maintenance of the ecosystem services of the protected areas. In particular, PAT funds are used to co-finance the implementation of protected areas management plans, strengthen monitoring and enforcement in protected areas, support sustainable community enterprises, biodiversity conservation, and environmental education and awareness. Approximately USD 8.5 million has been raised, with the ultimate goal being USD 65 million to be raised.