Trust Notes

Learning came to life across the landscapes of Andros, where EcoCamp participants hiked, swam in blue holes, examined local species and camped beneath the stars. 

The environmental leadership programme returned this summer after a six-year hiatus, bringing together teenagers from across The Bahamas for eight days at the Forfar Field Station. Species identification challenges and visits to every national park in Andros turned its forests, wetlands and other natural areas into places of discovery. 

This year’s activities centred on the critically endangered smalltooth sawfish. Fieldwork gave campers a closer understanding of the species, the habitats it needs to survive and what is involved in protecting it. Working together throughout the week also helped them develop practical skills that could not be gained in a classroom alone. 

EcoCamp was last held in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic and funding constraints placed the programme on hold. With support from sponsors and in-kind contributors, BNT was able to welcome campers back this year. 

Its impact extends beyond the eight days spent in Andros. By encouraging young people to pay closer attention to the plants, animals and ecosystems around them, EcoCamp helps turn knowledge into care and curiosity into a sense of responsibility. 

These young Bahamians may one day become the scientists, park wardens and environmental leaders who carry this work forward. Whatever paths they choose, they now have a stronger appreciation for The Bahamas’ natural heritage and why its protection matters. 

How much of The Bahamas’ natural beauty do we pass without taking a closer look? For nine young Bahamians, a professional camera offered a reason to pause, pay attention and capture what they saw. 

During Nature Through the Lens, BNT’s four-week youth photography internship, participants explored national parks in New Providence and Andros while developing their photography and visual storytelling skills. 

Hosted in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources and supported by the Rotary Club of East Nassau, the internship brought learning out of the classroom and into the field. Participants photographed native wildlife, plants and landscapes while learning how images can tell stories about the environment. 

The interns also had the opportunity to join EcoCamp on Andros, where national park visits and a swim in a blue hole offered new experiences and subjects to photograph. 

“You care about what you know, and you love what you know,” explained BNT Director of Education and Outreach Portia Sweeting. By bringing the interns closer to the places and species protected within national parks, the programme encouraged them to think differently about their role in caring for the environment. 

The internship concluded with a public showcase, where the young photographers presented some of their favourite images and invited the community to experience The Bahamas through their eyes. 

Some of the most useful conservation lessons come from seeing how another team approaches the same challenges. Conservation leaders from The Bahamas and Belize recently came together to share practical approaches to protected area management. 

Hosted by BNT, the exchange brought representatives from the Belize Audubon Society and TIDE Belize to The Bahamas for discussions on sustainable financing, communications, governance, enforcement and science. New Providence Parks Manager Anwar Rolle also guided the delegation through Bonefish Pond and Primeval Forest National Parks. 

At the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, the visitors worked alongside park wardens. They operated watermakers, refuelled generators and patrol boats and joined park patrols. Park Administrator Bradley Rutherford also demonstrated how yacht moorings generate revenue to support daily operations. 

The group visited Shroud Creek, Jeep Reef and the Rocky Dundas Caves. In the evenings, the teams compared the successes and challenges they have encountered, including BNT’s enforcement partnership with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. 

“This exchange fostered strong professional relationships, yielding valuable insights for ECLSP leadership to refine future operations and inspiring ongoing collaboration between the organizations,” Rutherford shared. 

The programme built on an April 2025 visit to Belize, where the Belize Audubon Society hosted BNT representatives at Half Moon Caye and the Blue Hole Natural Monument. Sponsored by MPAConnect with support from the  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Coral Reef Conservation Program, the reciprocal visits allowed both organisations to share practical approaches to enforcement, sustainable financing, tourism and remote park operations. 

What researchers already knew about San Salvador’s waters was only part of the picture. A recent assessment took the team back to previously studied sites and into new ones to build a more current understanding of the island’s marine environment.

BNT Acting Director of Science & Policy Lindy Knowles and Marine Science Officer Daavia Nesbitt conducted the rapid ecological assessment alongside representatives from the Perry Institute for Marine Science, Baha Mar and the MSC Foundation.

The assessment forms part of The Bahamas Protected Areas Fund’s Marine Conservation Programme, funded by The Bahamas Debt Conversion Project for Marine Conservation.

The team collected information on the condition of San Salvador’s coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves, as well as the species that inhabit them. The findings will establish an updated baseline against which future assessments can be compared.

This information will support the development of climate-smart management plans and help BNT, park managers and local co-management partner San Salvador Living Jewels make informed decisions about the island’s marine protected areas. It will also help determine whether those management efforts are working over time.

Even when park wardens are not nearby, new wildlife cameras can keep watch over critical habitats at Moriah Harbour Cay National Park. 

Wardens recently began testing the cameras as part of expanded efforts to protect the White Cay Iguana (Cyclura rileyi cristata), a rare subspecies of the Central Bahamian Rock Iguana. The cameras will help staff monitor activity in key areas and identify potential threats to the iguanas and nesting populations of Least and Roseate Terns. 

The work is supported by Re:wild, whose assistance has also increased BNT’s capacity to conduct routine field surveys and provided staff development opportunities, including first responder training. 

Together, the cameras and field surveys will give park staff a clearer picture of activity within these habitats. This information can help wardens identify and respond to threats such as illegal poaching. 

Seven Bahamian businesses took the stage at the Ocean Advantage Pitch Competition to show how their ideas could support economic growth while benefiting coral reefs. 

BNT Executive Director Lakeshia Anderson-Rolle joined the judging panel, helping to evaluate each venture’s innovation, potential impact and long-term business viability. The finalists competed for one of five grants valued at $10,000 each. 

The competition marked the culmination of SBDC Bahamas’ Blue Economy Accelerator Programme, delivered in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and the Global Fund for Coral Reefs. Through eight weeks of training, mentorship and business development support, the programme helped participants strengthen their operations and prepare for growth. 

The competition demonstrated how Bahamian businesses can create economic opportunities while contributing to healthier marine ecosystems. BNT’s participation brought a conservation perspective to the judging process and highlighted the value of bringing business and environmental interests together. 

With strands of straw in hand, BNT members learned the techniques behind one of The Bahamas’ enduring crafts at the second Sip ’n Create, held at Rand Nature Centre on August 30. Cultural artist Veronica Ellis guided the group through traditional straw plaiting while sharing how the craft depends on natural materials and why sustainability matters. Participants left with new skills and a clearer understanding of what it takes to keep this tradition alive. 

Present your valid BNT membership card to enjoy these offers from participating local businesses: 

• Haus of Assembly: Receive a complimentary gift when you spend $100. 

• Kelly’s Freeport Ltd.: Enjoy 10% off your purchase. 

• Spin Drip Studios: Receive 10% off all monthly memberships 

Is your membership due for renewal? Renew between September 4 and November 20 for a chance to win one of three prizes, including an all-inclusive getaway to Andros. 

You’ll also continue enjoying free entry to BNT-managed national parks, local discounts and savings at select parks and heritage sites worldwide.