The Tribune

THE Bahamas National Trust held its annual general meeting and spring council meetings to elect its new council and officers for the year and to review current issues and work being done by the trust.

The BNT membership elected 15 members to serve on the 29-member council, 14 members are appointed, representing government and major scientific organisations and universities. The council also elected former Deputy Vice-President, Lawrence Glinton, as the new president, with Neil McKinney retiring after three years at the helm.

“The BNT has an enviable record of environmental stewardship in the Bahamas,” said Lawrence Glinton, upon being elected president.

“My primary objective is to continue this stewardship, a short-term goal for me especially is to make the existing National Parks more available to the public for their use and enjoyment.”

The officers elected for 2014/2015, are Lawrence Glinton, President, Janet Johnson, Deputy President, Alistair Chisnall, Honorary Secretary, and Simon Townend, Honorary Treasurer.

Before the elections former President McKinney reported on the work for new national parks that have been done in Abaco, Grand Bahama and San Salvador and made special mention of the excellent work of the BNT’s Education office, specifically mentioning the 40 Discovery Clubs on eight islands.

“I would like at this time to commend the BNT’s hardworking staff who give many unpaid hours to the national park system of the Bahamas,” said Mr McKinney, who gave an overview of the BNT’s work for the year highlighting major accomplishments in the areas of Parks, Science and Policy and Education.

He was also pleased to highlight the success of the recent Bahamas Natural History Symposium which provided a wonderful platform for scientific researchers to share their findings with the public and decision makers. He concluded with praise for all who worked so hard in the completion of infrastructure in the Primeval Forest National Park, which opened in March giving special mention of Past President Pericles Maillis.

The AGM also provided an opportunity for the BNT to recognise outstanding support from individuals and corporate Bahamas. This year the BNT recognized two outstanding corporate supporters Abaco Beach Resort and Bahamas Waste Ltd, who were presented with plaques of appreciation.

Abaco Beach Resort has provided support for the Annual Art for the Parks event which supports the six national parks of Abaco and Bahamas Waste provides infrastructure support for all BNT events and activities. “Support from our corporate partners is essential for the success of our events and programmes. We are extremely grateful for the support provided by these very special corporate citizens,” said Lynn Gape, Deputy Executive Director of the BNT.