Sometimes, you have to see it, to believe it and this past weekend, some of the country’s most influential social media voices got a chance to see, feel and experience the magical beauty of Lighthouse Point on the island of Eleuthera.
The breathtaking monument has been part of Eleuthera’s charm and beauty for hundreds of years.
The site, which is tucked away on Eleuthera’s most southern tip is hailed as one of the most naturally beautiful and diverse spots in the country, and the world.
Not only has its beauty to charm been untouched and unspoiled by commercial development, but the site continues to hold special significance for the residents of Eleuthera – the island named Freedom.
In recent weeks, the site has become the primary focus of a coalition of concerned organizations whose objective is to preserve and protect the Lighthouse and the surrounding 700 acres of land from commercial development, offering instead, an option for sustainable development.
Led by the One Eleuthera Foundation, the Bahamas National Trust and 8 other NGO’s the coalition continues to advocate for the area to be converted to a legacy park, protected from the kind of commercial development proposed by Disney.
The sustainable development option proposed by the coalition would provide more full time direct and indirect jobs and create greater economic impact for South Eleuthera.
If allowed to move forward, the coalition believes that this sacred ground, will eventually be blocked to locals, its rural, untouched beauty replaced by over-crowded beaches and its tranquil bays spoiled by concrete super docks for skyscraper cruise ships, jet skis and more.
Early Saturday morning, the influencer group which included wildly popular social media content creator, Timico “Sawyerboy” Sawyer, former Cabinet Minister and host of the popular radio talk show “Z-Live” and producers of the RET Entertainment News segment, flew into Rock Sound Eleuthera to understand and learn more about this famed area, that has school children fighting to protect it.
“I’m very excited to have been included on this trip,” said Sawyer.
“I met Franchesca, Wadainya and Kristman during their recent visit to Nassau and was totally impressed by how passionate they are about protecting this beautiful place.
I have enjoyed hearing One Eleuthera’s plans for not just the point but the entire area. That’s something I think people don’t understand, its not just about the Lighthouse, it’s about the whole area.”
With the help of local residents, members of the wider environmental coalition, and youth activists Franchesca Hanna and Wadainya Weinberger, the group made the hour-long journey to the site, hiking along stunning water front views to the island’s southernmost tip.
From atop the ocean side cliffs they were able to experience the breathtaking views which stretch for miles in every direction.
The trip was also an opportunity for the influencers to learn about the environmental significance of the area. In addition to its stunning ocean views Lighthouse beach and the surrounding acres of land are home to some to more than ten percent of the country’s endemic plant life.
“There are at least 8 species of plant life which can only be found in the Bahamas and they all grow right here at lighthouse point” explained resident Botanist Dr. Ethan Freid of the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve, operated by the Bahamas National Trust.
Dr. Fried has studied the vegetation in the area and has been instrumental in cataloging the scores of indigenous plants at the site – many of which contain medicinal value.
“The intent of the coalition has always been to preserve all of the elements that naturally occur in this area – both plant life and marine life – and commercial development would do the opposite of that”.
The students and the coalition hope that seeing, touching and having their own personal experience at the pointe, will help Saywer, Laing and RET Entertainment TV – through their various platforms –explain to thousands the importance of joining the campaign to protect this land for all Bahamians.
Already, more than twenty-eight thousand persons have signed the on-line petition asking everyone to stand with One Eleuthera Foundation, who are asking the Government to consider an alternative to the Disney proposed cruise port and private beach.
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
What is OEF
Tne Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) is a nonprofit development organization incorporated in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. It was founded to identify, invest in and strengthen unique, high-quality projects that improve Eleuthera’s communities and further the economic, environmental and social development of the island. OEF invests in organizations that focus on one or more of our five programmatic areas – health and wellness, economic development, environment, culture and heritage, and education. One Eleuthera Foundation represents professionals and organizations that share a commitment to a future built on the responsible development of our island’s many assets and its people. www.oneeleuthera.org
Social Media Content Creator and Influencer Timico "Sawyer Boy" Sawyers gets help filming from One Eleuthera Youth Activist Wadainya Weinberger during a visit to Lighthouse Point. The two first met when Weinberger and her peers appeared on Sawyers Guardian Radio talk show to talk about why Saving the famed site was so important to them.(Photo courtesy of Michael Clarke for Barefoot Marketing)
With the help of local residents, One Eleuthera and the wider environmental coalition, influencers from New Providence got a guided tour of the beautiful Lighthouse Point and its surrounding areas including the seaside cave structures on lighthouse beach.(Photo courtesy of Michael Clarke for Barefoot Marketing)
The site, which is tucked away on Eleuthera’s most southern tip is hailed as one of the most naturally beautiful and diverse spots in the country, and the world. Not only has its beauty to charm been untouched and unspoiled by commercial development.(Photo courtesy of Michael Clarke for Barefoot Marketing) 
Sawyer boy enjoys the view from the top of Lighthouse Point.(Photo courtesy of Michael Clarke for Barefoot Marketing)
The host of RET Entertainment News Ewurabena 'Rabs' Appiah chats it up with resident Botanist Dr Ethan Freed from the Leon Levy Natural Plant Preserve - one of several environmental groups which have aligned for the campaign to Save Lighthouse Point. (Photo courtesy of Michael Clarke for Barefoot Marketing)
