The Tribune

By RIEL MAJOR

ENVIRONMENT Minister Romi Ferreira hailed the Bahamas National Trust as an inextricable part of his life’s work as the organization kicks-off year long celebrations for their 60th anniversary.

As of July 13, 2019, the organization will have officially existed for six decades.

Mr Ferreira said the BNT has been there from the very beginning of his career and he looks at it as an inextricable part of his life and career.

“I’m here to offer my profound congratulations to the Bahamas National Trust and the work that you do”, said Mr Ferreira.

Mr Ferreira said: “I do believe in my travels that one of the things we sometimes don’t appreciate is just how unique it is to have an archipelago of islands in the Atlantic Ocean. When you look at The Bahamas and you look at the fact that a country of 700 islands is actually very unique in the Atlantic Ocean and as such celebrating our protected spaces, celebrating our ocean assets, our land assets it’s actually a fundamental part of who we are. “I think that nothing more than the environment has potential to bring us all together it is one of those things we all share and as I said many many times before. I offer my congratulations to the Bahamas National Trust I’m here to advise my unwavering support certainly for the rest of this term and as long as I have life in my body to do whatever needs to be done to advance your goals.”

Eric Carey, executive director, yesterday said the organisation celebrates not only the staff in Nassau but colleagues throughout the archipelago.

He also heralded conservation champions: people who have contributed to making conservation and the Bahamas National Trust the success that it is.

Mr Carey said: “Throughout the year we have a number of activities planned we have activities that are traditional that are going to amplified and improved and celebrated our 60th anniversary event but we also have new and exciting events, so we are going to ask you to watch our (social media pages) for updates.

“As we reflect on these accomplishments of this incredible organisation the BNT it’s worth noting that the creation of 32 national parks is huge. It’s an incredible accomplishment for a country…It is the most impressive by far in the region national park system and it’s growing. In 2015 there were more areas we have now before the minister for consideration additional areas to help us achieve our 20 per cent of by 2020 challenge so it is growing. Our job is absolutely becoming more important.”

The 60th anniversary will begin with the annual Cuban Pig Roast on February 9, 2019 to raise funds for park infrastructure. The Staniel Cay Yacht Club will host a new event to support the award- winning Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park on March 1 and 2. On April 27, 2019, the organisation will be having a free National Park Day for the community that will feature activities at the national parks throughout the country.

Janet Johnson, BNT president, said: “The BNT could not have achieved this longevity with the support of its stalwart members, its generous donors, its various partners, the corporate community and government. We want to celebrate with our supporters and the wider Bahamian community.

“The internationally respected national park system that the BNT manages belongs to the Bahamian people. We are only the caretakers...this milestone is just as much an achievement of the Bahamian people as it is of the BNT.”