This International Women’s Day, the women of The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) joined First Lady Ann-Marie Davis and Minister of State for Urban Renewal the Hon. Lisa Rahming for a ceremonial tree planting at Lou Adderley Park. 

The event officially launched a “50 for 50” tree planting campaign that will see the BNT, under the patronage of the Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister and with sponsorship from Aliv, plant 50 native trees across The Bahamas on the road to the country’s 50th Anniversary of Independence.

This International Women’s Day is special for the BNT because for the first time in the history of the organization, it has a female Executive Director in Lakeshia Anderson-Rolle, who herself is supported by a dynamic team of women leaders who also participated in the event: Director of Development & Communications Anna Bancroft; Director of Education Portia Sweeting; and Director of Science & Policy Falon Cartwright.

Anderson-Rolle said: “I’m so proud to stand here today as the first female Executive Director of the BNT, supported by my core team of talented women. Women stand out as leaders in the environmental movement here in The Bahamas. Women lead awareness of the need to protect the environment and are advocates for adhering to the sustainable development goals promoted by the United Nations Development Program, which promotes sustainable tourism practices and use of our natural resources. 

“These trees we plant here today celebrate our country’s 50 years of Independence, but they also celebrate our female environmental warriors, who advocate for a healthy and climate-conscious Bahamas that acknowledges our environment as the key to our way of life.”

The women ensemble planted two mahogany trees and one breadfruit tree. The mahogany was grown from seed in the botanical nursery at The Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve (LLNPP), a protected area on Eleuthera managed by the BNT, that serves as a facility for the cultivation and preservation of native plants. As part of the “50 for 50” tree planting campaign, LLNPP Botanist Dr. Ethan Freid selected specific trees to complement each planting site and to ensure a suitable environment for the optimal growth of the plants. Mahogany trees are valuable for their hardwood and were used early in Bahamian history for building and trade with American colonies. They were selected for the Lou Adderley Park because of the ample shade they will provide for the Marathon community park.

Mrs. Davis also planted a breadfruit tree in support of her “Trees that Feed” campaign, which focuses on planting trees that can serve as food sources for their communities. Breadfruit is one of the highest-yielding food plants and requires limited care. She said: “It’s always good to partner with nature, and the Bahamas National Trust is all about that. I’m especially happy to be here today to add to these indigenous trees in this park so that people can recognize what these trees are about - their usefulness and resilience. 

“In this tropical area where we have so many extreme climate conditions going on, we never know what position we’ll find ourselves in. This is why the focus was made on planting trees that feed - the resilient kind like the breadfruit tree. It is a tree that can sustain a family of four for a decade. Also, it’s gluten-free and provides lots of nutrients.“

“People say we have to get back to basics. This is probably one of the things they mean - getting back to basics with food security and good nourishment. It’s so simple - just to plant a breadfruit tree that doesn’t need much care - except for watering in the early stages, and nature takes care of the rest.”

Minister Rahming, who is also the Member of Parliament for Marathon, which includes the Lou Adderley Park, shared what the action will mean to members of her constituency. 

“This is basically one of the only parks in Marathon,” she said, “and Marathon is so huge - but residents come from here, there, and everywhere. We have every event in this park. Soon you’ll see our new swings and everything will be upgraded. Just recently we did the wall. So people are excited to come here and I’m excited for this. I know the residents in this area are going to make use of these trees.”

Trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, release oxygen, offer cooling shade, block damaging winds, attract birds and wildlife, provide food sources, purify our air, prevent soil erosion, help to clean our water, and beautify our surroundings. The BNT’s goal for` its “50 for 50” campaign is to plant 50 trees across seven different islands in The Bahamas on the nation’s road to its 50th Anniversary of Independence. 

To learn more about the role the BNT plays to manage terrestrial and marine national parks, protect species that inhabit them, and inform environmental policy, please visit its website: www.bnt.bs and follow/subscribe to various social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

 

This International Women’s Day, the women of The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) joined First Lady Ann-Marie Davis and Minister of State for Urban Renewal the Hon. Lisa Rahming for a ceremonial tree planting at Lou Adderley Park.  The event officially launched a “50 for 50” tree planting campaign that will see the BNT, under the patronage of the Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister and with sponsorship from Aliv, plant 50 native trees across The Bahamas on the road to the country’s 50th Anniversary of Independence. This International Women’s Day is special for the BNT because for the first time in the history of the organization, it has a female Executive Director in Lakeshia Anderson-Rolle, who herself is supported by a dynamic team of women leaders who also participated in the event: Director of Development & Communications Anna Bancroft; Director of Education Portia Sweeting; and Director of Science & Policy Falon Cartwright. Anderson-Rolle said: “I’m so proud to stand here today as the first female Executive Director of the BNT, supported by my core team of talented women. Women stand out as leaders in the environmental movement here in The Bahamas. Women lead awareness of the need to protect the environment and are advocates for adhering to the sustainable development goals promoted by the United Nations Development Program, which promotes sustainable tourism practices and use of our natural resources.  “These trees we plant here today celebrate our country’s 50 years of Independence, but they also celebrate our female environmental warriors, who advocate for a healthy and climate-conscious Bahamas that acknowledges our environment as the key to our way of life.” The women ensemble planted two mahogany trees and one breadfruit tree. The mahogany was grown from seed in the botanical nursery at The Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve (LLNPP), a protected area on Eleuthera managed by the BNT, that serves as a facility for the cultivation and preservation of native plants. As part of the “50 for 50” tree planting campaign, LLNPP Botanist Dr. Ethan Freid selected specific trees to complement each planting site and to ensure a suitable environment for the optimal growth of the plants. Mahogany trees are valuable for their hardwood and were used early in Bahamian history for building and trade with American colonies. They were selected for the Lou Adderley Park because of the ample shade they will provide for the Marathon community park. Mrs. Davis also planted a breadfruit tree in support of her “Trees that Feed” campaign, which focuses on planting trees that can serve as food sources for their communities. Breadfruit is one of the highest-yielding food plants and requires limited care. She said: “It’s always good to partner with nature, and the Bahamas National Trust is all about that. I’m especially happy to be here today to add to these indigenous trees in this park so that people can recognize what these trees are about - their usefulness and resilience.  “In this tropical area where we have so many extreme climate conditions going on, we never know what position we’ll find ourselves in. This is why the focus was made on planting trees that feed - the resilient kind like the breadfruit tree. It is a tree that can sustain a family of four for a decade. Also, it’s gluten-free and provides lots of nutrients.“ “People say we have to get back to basics. This is probably one of the things they mean - getting back to basics with food security and good nourishment. It’s so simple - just to plant a breadfruit tree that doesn’t need much care - except for watering in the early stages, and nature takes care of the rest.” Minister Rahming, who is also the Member of Parliament for Marathon, which includes the Lou Adderley Park, shared what the action will mean to members of her constituency.  “This is basically one of the only parks in Marathon,” she said, “and Marathon is so huge - but residents come from here, there, and everywhere. We have every event in this park. Soon you’ll see our new swings and everything will be upgraded. Just recently we did the wall. So people are excited to come here and I’m excited for this. I know the residents in this area are going to make use of these trees.” Trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, release oxygen, offer cooling shade, block damaging winds, attract birds and wildlife, provide food sources, purify our air, prevent soil erosion, help to clean our water, and beautify our surroundings. The BNT’s goal for` its “50 for 50” campaign is to plant 50 trees across seven different islands in The Bahamas on the nation’s road to its 50th Anniversary of Independence.  To learn more about the role the BNT plays to manage terrestrial and marine national parks, protect species that inhabit them, and inform environmental policy, please visit its website: www.bnt.bs and follow/subscribe to various social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Non-profit organizations (NPOs) are in a position to help fix some systemic problems and build community projects that will move Exuma into an even better place economically and environmentally, explained Bob Coughlin, the co-founder of the NPO Friends of Exuma, on Friday.

Coughlin spoke at the Rotary Club of East Nassau's regular meeting. He explained that he and a team he has brought together have begun to fund park projects, empower Exuma residents to begin their own projects and raise money, and tackle vexing infrastructure problems that threatened the economic viability of an Exuma landmark.

Coughlin described that landmark, Elizabeth Harbour, which is a popular destination for boaters in the Exumas, as the Wild West because of a lack of rules, moorings and pump out facilities.

He explained that those deficiencies threaten the environment of Elizabeth Harbour and recently threatened the business of a popular bar frequented by visitors to Stocking Island, Chat N' Chill.

"We want to start doing things for Elizabeth Harbour because right now one of our problems is we have 300 to 400 boats in the harbor, and there's no pump out," said Coughlin.

"And there's no rules and there's no moorings, it's the Wild West.

"And everybody kind of likes that, on one hand. On the other hand, some of the boaters are now saying this isn't good. It's getting to a point that it's damaging the habitat, and it's making it unsanitary on top of that.

"But the issue of trying to change that is something that's a change management exercise in the community and figuring out your stakeholders and all that.

"Well, our role is to say if money's needed in that process, let's figure out how we can help. But what we did was we said we're going to create a harbor fund. And the harbor fund is going to be for two things. It's going to support both Elizabeth Harbour and the Moriah Harbour project, and we're gonna have a memorandum of understanding between them."

He added: "They just had to shut down Chat N' Chill, which is big, for two weeks... which is a huge tourist attraction, because they weren't cleaning up their garbage.

Coughlin is the founder of software company PAYCOR, which is valued at $3.1 billion. He has built a life on Exuma and has helped to create a relationship between the Cincinnati Zoo and the Moriah Harbour Cay project in the Exumas, that could create a funding mechanism for the park that comes directly from the zoo.

He added that he has worked to help breathe new life into the Canadian Foundation on Exuma in order to expand the outreach to the island.

"The other thing we've done is partner with the Canadian Foundation, which was somewhat sleepy and dormant," he said.

"And I've kind of dragged them to the party and said, 'let's go'. And they are now raising good money and doing good things and doing super work."

The Naval Innovation Center at Monterey, California is building a partnership with the University of The Bahamas, as the entities work to solve issues related to climate change, the US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said yesterday while addressing an audience at the University of The Bahamas.

Del Toro said the relationship between The Bahamas and the US is central to building resilience against climate change and in ensuring the economic strength and safety of both countries.

"The resilience of our friends and neighbors in this region is of critical importance to our own security," said Del Toro.

"And like I had said, and like I will continue to say, we want to help. That's why key elements of our involvement in the Caribbean are training exercises as well as medical and engineering expert exchanges, to empower strong and collaborative regional responses to emergencies."

He added that the US Navy has commissioned ships to carry out humanitarian assistance workshops across the Caribbean and have responded to climate-related disasters in the past.

According to Del Toro, the Navy is building medical ships with low drafts that can navigate the shallow waters of The Bahamas.

"Our public health professionals are working with nations such as Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica to build greater resilience and local capabilities to prevent, identify and safely respond to vector borne diseases which are becoming less predictable and more prevalent as the climate continues to change," he said.

He added that the Navy is considering future projects with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and has already invested in other projects across The Bahamas.

Del Toro lauded a memorandum of understanding signed last July between the University of The Bahamas and the University of Hawaii for cooperation and exchange that will pave the way for the training of people skilled in disaster risk reduction.

He said there is a need for countries like the US to listen to Caribbean scholars on the issue of climate change.

"I want you to know that we stand with you in working tirelessly towards making that world a reality," said Del Toro.

"We fight alongside you to protect your people, your land, and your way of life. We understand that you are fighting for your very existence, as the minister said earlier.

"I hope that you understand that you have a partner in us, the United States."

Environmental group Save The Bays (STB) is calling for a pause in the sale of Equinor's South Riding Point facility until the company has completed the cleaning of the oil spill caused by Hurricane Dorian.

STB said in a press statement that it has overseen the cleanup effort by Equinor since 2019, and maintains that the cleanup is not complete at the compound.

Equinor revealed in a statement on Tuesday that it has entered an agreement with European liquid fuels terminal operator Liwathon for the sale of the South Riding Point facility. Equinor explains in that statement that it completed the cleanup of hydrocarbons in the area outside the facility, but does not mention the state of the facility itself.

In September 2019, the South Riding Point terminal was in the direct path of Hurricane Dorian, a violent Category 5 storm, and sustained extensive damage, including an oil spill which affected the terminal site and a forest area northeast of the terminal," the Equinor statement said.

"Since then, extensive clean-up operations have been performed by Equinor in close collaboration with Bahamian authorities. The clean-up operations outside the fence were concluded in March 2021, and extensive testing of the groundwater outside the terminal has shown no sign of hydrocarbon deposits."

Guardian Business reached out to Equinor by email for further comment on the state of the compound, but a reply was not received before publication yesterday.

STB claims old spilled oil still appears to be on the compound.

"Oil appears to remain settled in waste wells, untreated since the 2019 spill, which can compromise the aquatic and water quality of the surrounding wetlands - which is an area where the water table is less than four feet below the surface," the STB statement noted.

"It is our assessment that the Equinor site represents a serious and ongoing ecological and public health danger, which must be fully and openly addressed before the facility is allowed to change hands.

"STB is therefore calling on the government not to sanction any sale of Equinor, unless and until it can be confirmed that the site has been returned to its pre-spill condition.

"To this end, we are calling for a thorough and transparent evaluation process that includes the environmental community and other stakeholders in Grand Bahama, as well as a full and transparent report for the Grand Bahama community."

Equinor said in its release on Tuesday that the sale of the property has already been approved by government.

STB contends that a government that has at its core message environmental protection and sustainability should not allow the company to be sold without ensuring it has met certain environmental requirements.

"The Davis administration has repeatedly claimed that climate resilience and environmental sustainability are to be the cornerstones of its legacy," STB said.

"Allowing a company that has spilled millions of gallons of oil into the ground in a sensitive and ecologically significant area, to kick this toxic can down the road to a new owner, hardly meets that standard."