The Coughlin Foundation Becomes Million-Dollar Contributor to Preserving National Parks In The Bahamas with the BNT

July 15th, 2024 – Nassau, Bahamas
The Bob and Jeanne Coughlin Foundation has been recognized for their outstanding long-term partnership with The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) that has seen more than $1 million donated over five-years to preserving the natural treasures of The Bahamas.
As the official national park manager of The Bahamas, the BNT safeguards 33 national parks across the country. The Coughlins’ generous support and contributions have underpinned the advancement of one of these natural jewels in particular: that of the Moriah Harbour Cay National Park (MHCNP) in Great Exuma. Over the course of five years, The Coughlins have been instrumental in stewarding this gem and have demonstrated a clear love, appreciation, and support for The Bahamas’ environment, culture, and heritage.
The Fight to Protect a Natural Jewel: History of the Moriah Harbour Cay National Park
The MHCNP is synonymous with Basil Minns: Exumian, environmental advocate, and the conservation legend at the helm of the park’s establishment. For decades, he along with partners and supporters tirelessly petitioned the Bahamian government to declare the area known as Moriah Harbour Cay in Great Exuma as a national park to be protected and managed by the BNT.

In 2002, one-third of the area proposed was accepted and declared protected by the Bahamian government. Years more of petitioning ensued before the other areas originally not accepted were officially declared protected as part of the Moriah Harbour Cay National Park in 2015.
The MHCNP today protects more than 27,000 acres of beaches, sand dunes, blue holes, coral reefs, mangrove creeks, seagrass meadows, and coppice forests. These diverse ecosystems provide sanctuaries for many important marine and terrestrial species, such as endangered iguanas, corals, sea turtles, conch, crawfish, sharks, birds, and more, making the MHCNP a fabulous showcase of Bahamian biodiversity. This special park offers incredible recreational activities, educational and community opportunities, and economic potential.
A History of Giving: The Coughlins’ Dedication to the MHCNP

As of June 2024, The Bob and Jeanne Coughlin Foundation’s most recent donation of $250,000 pushes the cumulative total of their philanthropic contributions to the BNT, and Moriah Harbour Cay National Park in particular, over the threshold of $1 million.
Since 2021, they have demonstrated an unquestionable love for the “crown of Exuma,” as Basil Minns himself would refer to the MHCNP. Their commitment to this crown jewel is exemplified through their history of giving.
Bob Coughlin said, “We’re incredibly pleased to support the excellent team in Exuma and the great work of the BNT in general. Our relationship with them has truly enhanced our experience in The Bahamas. Thank you for all that you do. The Bahamas needs a strong BNT to steward and protect their environmental heritage, and we’re honored and proud to support that so others can experience these beautiful places for themselves.”
When it comes to environmental treasures, the MHCNP is a park full of potential, but currently lacking self-generating revenue streams. Initially, The Bob and Jeanne Coughlin Foundation committed to a $100,000 annual gift to offset its $120,000 annual operating costs, which include programmatic expenses, equipment, overhead, and salaries for some of its integral staff. In this way, The Foundation largely supports present park operations and facilitates roles like an Exuma Program Coordinator, two Park Wardens, and an Education and Outreach Officer.
These roles oversee major programs and operations that are crucial to protecting the park and advancing important Exuma-based initiatives, like the first-of-its-kind mobile conch hatchery in Rolle Town. Though still in its infancy, the program is a prime example of how national parks like the MHCNP can be used to protect important species and advance educational programming.
Bob Coughlin said, “We recognize education is a key component when it comes to conservation and protecting what’s precious at Moriah Harbour Cay. We’re thrilled to support the BNT’s efforts to make the park more accessible to students. We’re especially glad to see the BNT expanding their environmental education activities, working alongside other organizations and schools to provide opportunities for all ages to visit the park for outdoor educational experiences.”

As the BNT expands its programs at the MHCNP, the task of stewarding this protected area requires an expanded workforce and capacity. In 2023, it was projected that operational costs for the MHCNP would double within the next three years. The Coughlin Foundation further cemented its dedication as a true Park Friend by accepting the opportunity to double their annual commitment towards the national park – from $100,000 to $200,000 beginning in 2024.
“While the BNT receives funding from a variety of sources, individual donors are critical for the establishment of early operations when parks are not yet generating revenue and just getting started,” said Anna Bancroft, BNT Director of Development & Communication. “Bob and Jeanne stepped in and provided tremendous support so the BNT could quickly hire staff and start protecting the MHCNP as soon as possible.”
The Coughlins’ increased annual commitment for 2024, combined with a $50,000 pledge towards the development of a Welcome Centre at the MHCNP, made during the BNT’s Pig Roast 2023 fundraiser, is what makes up their most recent milestone donation.

The future Welcome Centre at the MHNCP is key to the advancement of the BNT’s vision for this breathtaking national park. It will increase accessibility; create educational and engagement opportunities for visitors; provide a much-needed base of operations for the BNT; and create a focal point for ecotourism in the heart of the national park. The Coughlins’ pledge lays the foundation for this instrumental development to occur.
For their indispensable involvement in advancing the Moriah Harbour Cay National Park, the BNT awarded The Coughlins a Lifetime Membership certificate at Pig Roast 2023.
Celebrating True Friends of the Moriah Harbour Cay National Park
The aid of The Bob and Jeanne Coughlin Foundation has had a profound impact on the mission of The Bahamas National Trust and the development of the MHCNP. BNT Executive Director Lakeshia Anderson-Rolle describes them as “true friends of the Moriah Harbour Cay National Park.”
“Their most recent gift of $250,000 marks a significant milestone,” said Lakeshia. “It will directly support park management, enforcement, scientific monitoring, and educational programming at the MHCNP. The BNT deeply cherishes the unwavering, extraordinary support of The Bob and Jeanne Coughlin Foundation for this unique Bahamian sanctuary.”
Anderson-Role continued, “We’re truly inspired by The Coughlins’ dedication and are immensely grateful for their continued partnership. Their steadfast commitment has not only helped us make significant strides in conservation, but has also played a vital role in safeguarding the natural beauty of The Bahamas. We thank them for their generosity.”
The Role of Philanthropy in National Park Management

National parks play a pivotal role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. In many cases, they act as sanctuaries for diverse species of wildlife, providing important habitats for breeding, growth, migration, and recovery.
They also provide special spaces for people to connect with nature in unique ways – from birdwatching, photography, and picnicking to yoga, kayaking, hiking, and much more.
The BNT manages 33 national parks covering more than 2 million acres of land and sea across The Bahamas. These areas help preserve the country’s rich biodiversity, culture, and history, while providing economic and educational benefits to local communities.
Much of our work is funded through grants like the Global Environment Facility (GEF) 2020; fundraisers like our annual Cuban Pig Roast and Wine & Art Festival; and community support through memberships, Park Advisory Committees, etc. And of course, philanthropic donations also have a huge role to play in helping to preserve, manage, and protect the national parks of The Bahamas.

Donations and support like that of The Bob and Jeanne Coughlin Foundation help the BNT achieve our mission of safeguarding national parks; enable us to expand programs and infrastructure to create better visitor experiences and community engagement; and allow us to retain dedicated staff members who lead important scientific and community programs, like youth environmental education in Great and Little Exuma.
In short, they help ensure the protection of the invaluable natural resources – or natural jewels – of The Bahamas, for now and tomorrow.
Advancements at Moriah Harbour Cay
With continued support from The Coughlins and other generous donors, the BNT will pursue big plans for Moriah Harbour Cay National Park, including:
- The future sustainable development of a park Welcome Centre on Little Exuma, to be a hub of activity and base for park operations
- Installation of additional overnight and snorkeling moorings to protect fragile reefs and seagrass habitats, while improving safety and creating reliable revenue sources
- The establishment of infrastructure like “Basils Outdoor Classroom” to facilitate exciting educational and park visitor experiences with increased signage and awareness
- The advancement of science and conservation priority programs for species like the Queen Conch and the Central Bahamian Rock Iguana
- Building robust partnerships with communities and stakeholders like the Elizabeth Harbour Conservation Partnership and the Rolle Town Commonage to promote ecotourism and economic opportunities.
When talking about his legacy and the future of the Moriah Harbour Cay National Park, Basil Minns expressed the critical need for more to be done than just declaring protected areas. What we need, he said, is more people interested, involved, and working to safeguard these areas.
Without a doubt, The Coughlins have helped carry the torch Basil and so many more before have ignited for the MHCNP. The BNT owes much of the expansion the park has experienced since its declaration to their donations and support. Thanks to Bob, Jeanne, and their family, we have been able to sustain operations, grow capacity, acquire equipment and enforcement vessels, and implement special programs.
We celebrate the contributions of The Bob and Jeanne Coughlin Foundation, whose giving exemplifies generosity, commitment, and an appreciation of the extraordinary nature of the Moriah Harbour Cay National Park. We hope their gift inspires others to become involved as environmental stewards of The Bahamas’ unique natural jewels. Consider becoming a BNT member for an opportunity to provide annual support to national parks while receiving exclusive benefits; donate a gift to support programming or special initiatives at the MHCNP; or inquire about volunteer efforts you can be a part of.
To learn more about the role the BNT plays in managing terrestrial and marine national parks, conserving wildlife, and informing environmental policy, please visit its website: www.bnt.bs and follow/subscribe to its 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.