The Tribune

STUDENTS from the Family Islands and an American university have been learning about conservation and the environment in the Bahamas and internationally from presentations by David Knowles, the Bahamas National Trust Director of Parks.

Mr Knowles, who has worked with the BNT for more than six years, talked to students in Abaco and Eleuthera and to visiting Colorado State University (CSU) graduates in the Bahamas on a marine ecotourism visit.

He spoke to students enrolled in summer courses at the Friends of the Environment Abaco Research Centre. Friends of the Environment have been in operation for almost 30 years but the centre has recently been established in Marsh Harbour.

It is used for hosting high school and university programmes, conducting field courses and presents opportunities to partner with scientists on long-term research projects. The summer courses will help students take a more in depth look at diverse ecosystems and marine life.

In his presentation, Mr Knowles covered an array of topics such as habitat conservation, environmental careers and opportunities, as well as Abaco’s Protected Areas and the BNT’s role in managing and establishing protected areas.

“It was great to present at this workshop for Friends of the Environment, particularly where Bahamian students are involved,” Mr Knowles said.

“These students are the future leaders of our country and their knowledge is critical to the decision-making process that they will be involved in in the future.”

Data gathered in the courses also will be used to assist ongoing research and support other conservation programmes.

Mr Knowles then went to the Cape Eleuthera Institute’s research symposium, a culmination of a semester-long research class. His presentation covered national parks with a specific focus on marine parks, BNT’s conservation goals and the research needed to help with national park management.

Other topics included sea turtle ecology, shark behaviour, lionfish invasion, sustainable fisheries and queen conch and mangrove ecology. The symposium was also a chance for the students to showcase the data they collected, along with real world implications of the work.

Finally, Mr Knowles presented to a group of CSU graduate students, as part of their Marine Ecotourism Trip - Bahamas 2014 Syllabus Course. It took place on board the Shearwater charter boat and the course is a three-credit study abroad course, with the intent to expose students to social, cultural, environmental and economic aspects of tourism development in the Bahamas.

Mr Knowles’ presentation highlighted the conservation efforts of the BNT and other ways to protect marine areas in the Bahamas. “It was great to get feedback from these graduate students,” he said, “especially since they are currently pursuing degrees in similar fields.”

Over the years, CSU has provided continued assistance in the Abaco National Park with trail maintenance and helpful recommendations on improving visitor experience.

“BNT will continue to collaborate with international institutions and organisations like Colorado State University and others to advance the efforts in protected area management,” Mr Knowles said.