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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Chairman and CEO of Audubon David Yarnold with Minister of Environment and Housing Hon Kenred Dorsett: CEO Yarnold presented Minister Dorsett with a framed painting of the West Indian Flamingo. Dorsett attended the event as well as the opening of the Bahamas Natural History Conference that is still on-going this week at at the Harry C Moore Library at the College of the Bahamas. Pictured (left to right) are Hon Kenred Dorsett, Minister of Envrionment and Housing and David Yarnold, Chairman and CEO of National Audubon Society. Photo: Bahamas Visual Services
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Nassau, Bahamas – At a special breakfast hosted by the Bahamas National Trust (BNT), President Neil McKinney and his executive team presented the government with a proposal to create a new national park in the Joulter Cays off North Andros. The proposal was accompanied by a technical brief showing the biological, ecological, and cultural significance of the Joulter Cays.
Additionally, BNT’s longstanding partner, National Audubon Society announced their full backing of the proposed Joulter Cays National Park proposal. “Audubon strongly supports making the Joulter Cays and all of its attributes a new multi-use national park for the country,” said Chairman and CEO of Audubon, David Yarnold. “We hope that this is one of the new conservation successes that we can celebrate together.”
The BNT invited ministers and members of parliament to the breakfast announcement, and requested the government protect this richly diverse area, in support of their commitment to expand the Bahamas National Protected Area System.
Audubon has chosen to focus on the Joulter Cays because recent studies have shown that the endangered Piping Plover, one of North America’s most endangered shorebirds, spends their winter in The Bahamas, and specifically in large numbers in the Joulter Cays.
Audubon Set to Help Establish Bird Tourism in The Bahamas: In addition to establishing the Joulter Cays as a national park, Audubon seeks to establish bird tourism in The Bahamas, and will work with communities to develop bird guiding skills, business skills, marketing skills and establish environmental education programs for communities. The bird tourism programme is a part of regional IDB funded project, which aims to increase bird tourism throughout the Caribbean, including The Bahamas.
Photo: Bahamas Visual Services
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In addition to supporting the establishment of the Joulter Cays as a national park, Audubon will work with the BNT to increase bird-based tourism in The Bahamas. As part of regional IDB funded project, which aims to increase bird-based tourism throughout the Caribbean, including The Bahamas, Audubon will work with communities in Andros and Inagua to develop bird guiding skills, business skills, marketing skills and establish environmental education programs for communities.
After presenting the Joulter Cays National Park proposal, members of the Audubon board were taken to North Andros by the BNT board and executives. “The objective of the trip was to provide National Audubon International subcommittee members, CEO, CCO and other invitees with a view of Audubon’s work in The Bahamas on the Piping Plover and other species,” said BNT President McKinney. “We were also able to visit one of the proposed IDB tourism project sites.”
CEO Yarnold noted that Audubon will be using their vast network and communication channels, like their magazine, which reaches 1.7 million readers, to help market The Bahamas, and the soon-to-be-established bird-based tourism.
“The islands of Inagua and Andros are primed and ready for nature based tourism,” said Eric Carey BNT Executive Director. “The bird life is spectacular, with abundant flamingoes in Inagua, and the endemic Bahamian Oriole and the endangered Piping Plover in Andros. This IDB grant will give local entrepreneurs the chance to profit from our idyllic natural beauty!”
The Joulter Cays proposal can be found on BNT's website http://www.bnt.bs/ and an exciting video has also been released to showcase the magnitude and beauty of this proposed park. To show your support persons can send comments to bnt@bnt.bs
Audubon a Huge Supporter of Proposed Joulter Cays National Park: BNT’s longstanding partner, National Audubon Society announced their full backing of the proposed Joulter Cays National Park proposal. “Audubon strongly supports making the Joulter Cays and all of its attributes a new multi-use national park for the country,” said Chairman and CEO of Audubon, David Yarnold. “We hope that this is one of the new conservation successes that we can celebrate together.” Pictured is David Yarnold, Chairman and CEO of Audubon. Photo: Bahamas Visual Services
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BNT Proposes Joulter Cays National Park: At a special breakfast hosted by the Bahamas National Trust (BNT), President Neil McKinney and his executive team presented the government with a technical briefing showing the biological, ecological, and cultural significance of the Joulter Cays and asked that the area be protected. Pictured is BNT Executive Director, Eric Carey. Photo: Bahamas Visual Services
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Related:
Bahamas Ntl Trust Hailed as Global Pioneer in Environmental Conservation
Bahamas Urged to Become Global Beacon for Protection of Marine Environment
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