Over 200 school children took part in environmental presentations at the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) on New Providence during January. More than 12,000 students and teachers visited BNT parks and facilities around the country last year.

"At a time when more and more children are disconnected from nature, our presentations connect students to our national parks and complement science and social studies curricula by acting as outdoor classrooms," said BNT Education Director Portia Sweeting.

Infrastructure at several national parks has been improved to make them more accessible, she said. Boardwalks and signage at Harrold and Wilson Pond and Bonefish Pond on New Providence provide opportunities to study wetlands, for example. The paths and signage at the Primeval Forest in southwest New Providence, and at the 11-acre Retreat on Village Road, offer the perfect setting for studying the coppice forest and island geology.

Students can also enjoy a guided experience at the Blue Hole National Park on Andros, the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve on Eleuthera, and the Rand Nature Centre and Lucayan National Park on Grand  Bahama.

"We provide hands-on, fun presentations on Bahamian plants, forests, wildlife, ecosystems, and even the creative re-use of discarded materials," Sweeting said.

In Nassau, schools can book a national park experience by contacting education@bnt.bs or calling 393-1317, on Grand Bahama by calling the Rand Nature Centre, and on Eleuthera by calling the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve.

BNT education officer Stefan Evans helps students recycle egg cartons into fun spectacles

Grade 5 students from Summit Academy learn about island geology from BNT officer Alexiou Brown at the Primevil Forest National Park (Photos-BNT)