Protecting our natural resources takes a team effort, and there was no better example of this than when Grand Bahamian students, Bahamas National Trust (BNT) staff and board members from the Grand Bahama regional branch of the BNT teamed up for a community service project at the Rand Nature Centre.

Jack Hayward High School and Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy students worked with BNT staff and board members to develop a new trail at the Rand Nature Centre leading to the watchable wildlife pond and native tree arboretum.

“Protecting our natural resources is something we want every Bahamian to be involved in,” said Lakeshia Anderson, Grand Bahama Parks Manager. “Having students come to the Rand Nature Centre to help us make the national park even better was phenomenal; the younger you start to protect precious resources, the more likely you’ll be to continue as you go through life.” 

The Rand Nature Centre contains 100 acres of natural beauty including pine forest and coppice, with trails that wind through the park for visitors to understand the importance and beauty of the Bahamas’ natural fauna. This national park is also home to the BNT administrative office in Grand Bahama and houses a multi-faceted art gallery.

The GB BNT Regional Branch hopes to continue to host volunteer groups at the Rand Nature Centre to help improve this less-utilised park, as it’s also a great way for students to learn about the national park system. “The continued support of the young people remains gratifying to the regional branch,” said Phillip Pinder, BNT GB Regional Branch Treasurer. “We hope to bring more young people in, not only to work but to learn about the BNT and the Bahamian environment.”

The Rand Nature Centre (RNC) is an excellent educational field trip for students studying the Pine Forest Ecosystem. Teachers can organize a field trip to the RNC by calling 352-5438. Adults interested in volunteering at the RNC can visit the BNT’’s Facebook page or our website at www.bnt.bs to learn more about the organization. To keep up with all the work and efforts of the BNT, join their Facebook page and their 18,000 fans.

About:The Bahamas National Trust was created by an Act of Parliament in 1959 to build and manage the national park system of the Bahamas. Possibly the only non-governmental organization in the world charged with such a responsibility the TRUST, as it is commonly known works daily to conserve and protect the natural resources of The Bahamas, through stewardship and education for present and future generations. There are currently 27 National Parks managed by the TRUST with more than 2 million acres of marine and terrestrial areas protected.

Website: http://www.bnt.bs/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bahamas-National-Trust/25034035861?ref=hl