Over 200 school children took part in environmental presentations at The Bahamas National Trust on New Providence during January, and more than 12,000 students visited BNT parks and facilities around the country last year.
“Our school presentations are designed to connect students to the parks and complement the Ministry of Education’s science and social studies curricula by acting as outdoor classrooms,” said BNT Education Director Portia Sweeting.
Infrastructure at several national parks has made them more accessible to the public. An example of this are the boardwalks and signage at Harrold and Wilson Ponds and Bonefish Pond on New Providence that provide opportunities to study wetlands.
The paths and signage at the Primeval Forest in southwest New Providence and at the 11-acre Retreat on Village Road are 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.
“Providing fun learning experiences about the Bahamian environment are at the heart of the BNT’s education programmes,” Sweeting said. “We offer presentations on Bahamian plants, forests, wildlife and ecosystems.”
A new presentation on ecology includes a demonstration on reusing discarded materials to produce higher value items. “We make sure students get hands-on experience,” said Sweeting.
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.