The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

MANGROVE seedlings were planted just off Dover Sound in observation of Earth Day yesterday.

The Bahamas Mangrove Alliance (BMA) and a team from the Clinton Global Initiative, along with representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and GB Devco, planted 150 seedlings.

The exercise kicked off a two-year initiative being undertaken by BMA to plant over one million mangroves in The Bahamas.

Rashema Ingraham, executive director of Waterkeepers Bahamas; Gail Woon, founder of Earthcare Bahamas; Justin Lewis, Bahamas initiative manager of Bahamas Bonefish Tarpon Trust; Dr Karlisa Callwood, of the Perry Institute for Marine Science Bahamas; Laura Barron, of Clinton Global Initiative; and Charisse Brown, of GB Devco and LUSCO, were among a group of 30 people that participated. They also toured sites of previous mangrove plantings.

Ms Ingraham said Earth Day is a significant day globally, and was pleased to join with various organisations, including a team from the Clinton Global Initiative, in the planting exercise at Dover Sound.

Laura Barron, senior manager of Climate Resolute Team at Clinton Global Initiative, said: “We are excited to be here on Earth Day to support the BMA, which is committed to planting one million mangroves in The Bahamas over the next couple of years.

“It is important to see the residual impact of Hurricane Dorian after so many years, and to see what work it takes to restore the coastal ecosystem to ensure the natural systems are thriving. It is amazing what the organisation is doing.”

Charise Brown, CEO and senior legal counsel at GB Devco and Lucaya Services Company (LUSCO), said they are pleased to partner with BMA in their mangrove restoration efforts and noted Dover Sound is in the Lucaya area, which falls under the responsibility of GB Devco and LUSCO.

“We recognise the importance of protecting our mangroves because they are versatile and help with storm surge protection for the nature environment and act as a nursery for many marine species,” Ms Brown said.

Justin Lewis, Bahamas Initiative Manager for BBTT, took the group by boat to BBTT’s and Earthcare’s mangrove planting sites.

In 2019, BBTT reported that 40 percent of mangroves on Abaco, and 73 percent on Grand Bahama were affected as a result of Hurricane Dorian.

Dr Karlisa Callwood, director of community engagement and social science research at the Perry Institute for Marine Science, said the work that has been done over the past few months is commendable. “It is great to see the mangrove seedlings start to take root and to also share the work we have been doing with visitors to The Bahamas,” she said.