BNT Celebrates Lifetime Members at Commemorative Event

February 3rd, 2025 – Nassau, Bahamas
On January 30, The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) celebrated its Lifetime Members with an event honoring their unwavering dedication to helping preserve the Bahamian environment.
Attendees, which included Lifetime Members, BNT Council Members, corporate partners, and donors, gathered at Premier Cru for an evening featuring remarks from BNT President Joanne Smith and Executive Director Lakeshia Anderson-Rolle. Both reflected on the impact of the organization’s Lifetime Members and longtime supporters, and promised exciting things to expect from the BNT in 2025.
A highlight of the event involved the premiere of capstone projects from the BNT’s first Conservation Storytelling & Media (CSM) Internship, which concluded last summer.
The capstone projects – created by CSM interns Lauren Ritchie and Quintez Bethel – showcased thought-provoking and beautifully-produced conservation stories that reflect both the unique beauty and fragility of The Bahamas’ environment, and inspire an urgency for ensuring our natural treasures are preserved for the future. The projects – a short film by Ritchie and a photo essay by Bethel – received praise from attendees.
In addition to these presentations, immediate past BNT President and now Chair of the Advancement Committee, Geoff Andrews, officially announced the launch of a $1 million fundraising campaign to support the ongoing work of the organization. “The Andrews’ Family $1 Million Appeal” – named in honor of The Andrews’ family’s legacy of giving and commitment to the BNT – will focus on fostering a greater sense of ownership and personal responsibility towards Bahamian national parks, encouraging increased financial stewardship of these protected areas, and emphasizing the impact of collective giving on their critical management and advancement.
Pointing out the role membership has to play in fulfilling this work, Executive Director Lakeshia Anderson-Rolle highlighted key milestones that have been achieved with membership support over the past two years:
“We’ve proudly expanded our national park system. We’ve advanced critical research on key species and habitats. We continue to make infrastructure improvements in parks, enhancing visitor access and recreational opportunities. And beyond these conservation wins, the true success of our work lies in the thousands of people we connect to national parks each year.
“Our Lifetime Members have shown an unwavering dedication to conservation and belief in our mission, and their steadfast support is the foundation upon which The Bahamas National Trust stands,” she added. “Tonight, I invite you to continue to stand with us as we forge a path toward a stronger, more resilient future for The Bahamas. Thank you for your unwavering support; for believing in the power of collective action; and for choosing to be part of this extraordinary journey with The Bahamas National Trust.”
BNT Council President Joanne Smith said, “We want every member to be an advocate for the BNT. That means offering inspiration, education, and meaningful opportunities to get involved. We must make it easy for them to be a part of this mission.
“It’s our job to show them why it matters. We must inspire them, engage them, and encourage them to contribute their time, energy, and resources to this cause—because together, we make the greatest impact.”
The BNT thanks Bahamas Waste, Caribbean Bottling Company, and Bristol for their contributions towards this event.
A date for a Lifetime Members celebration in Grand Bahama will soon be announced.
To learn how to become a member of The Bahamas National Trust and support its mission, visit https://bnt.bs/get-involved/become-a-member/.
To view the CSM internship capstone projects online, visit www.bnt.bs/csmcapstones or follow the organization on social media.
See photo gallery from the event.
To learn more about the role the BNT plays to manage terrestrial and marine national parks, protect Bahamian species, and inform environmental policy, please visit its website: www.bnt.bs and follow/subscribe to various social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
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Media Contact: Leah Carr | lcarr@bnt.bs | (242) 429-7902
About the BNT:
The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) 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 BNT works daily to conserve and protect the natural resources of The Bahamas through science, stewardship and education for present and future generations. There are currently 33 National Parks managed by the BNT with more than 2 million acres of marine and terrestrial areas protected.