The Tribune

ALTHOUGH Earth Day was on Tuesday, the Bahamas National Trust will celebrate this worldwide event on Saturday, with a public-supported park restoration project at Harrold and Wilson Ponds.

The restoration project at the park will include the cutting and removal of the invasive cattails and Casuarina trees in various areas around the park.

Additionally, all trash and debris from the park will be collected and removed.

“The key strategy in building an environmental awareness for our country is including the public in the work that we do,” said executive director of the BNT Eric Carey.

“This volunteer day at Harrold and Wilson Ponds provides an excellent opportunity for the public to get involved with our work, help us begin the task of eradicating invasive species and most importantly celebrate Earth Day. I look forward to a large turnout from the public.”

Invited guests include Prime Minister Perry Christie, Minister of the Environment Ken Dorsett, Member of Parliament for Blue Hills, Leslie Miller and partners such as the Best Commission, Department of Environmental Health Services, Ministry of Works and the National Invasive Species Committee.

Additionally, several groups have been invited to volunteer, including the US Embassy, Rotaract, the Governor General’s Youth Award (GGYA), the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Rangers, the BNT Navigators and the Youth Empowerment Programme. All groups are welcome as the BNT strives to make a difference on this project.

“Earth Day 2014 like other Earth Days focuses on current environmental concerns. One of the great challenges facing island nations is invasive species,” said Portia Sweeting, director of education.

“Our workday at Harrold and Wilson Pond’s National Parks seeks to involve adults as well as students in learning about the problems associated with these unwelcome (species). Our young people are taught to be good stewards of the environment and we need adults and national leaders to demonstrate their environmental stewardship by participating in this Earth Day 2014 event on Saturday, April 26th.”

Volunteers are asked to register on the BNT’s website or by calling The Retreat at 393-1317. Volunteers are also asked to bring garden gloves and water bottles, and to wear protective clothing and closed-in shoes.