thebahamasweekly.com - Preserve and Protect our Island Ecosystems by Supporting Grand Bahama Park Expansion

From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

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Preserve and Protect our Island Ecosystems by Supporting Grand Bahama Park Expansion
By Bahamas National Trust
Mar 23, 2015 - 12:22:35 PM

Preserve and Protect our Unique Island Ecosystems by Supporting Grand Bahama Park Expansion - The Grand Bahama branch of the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) is on a mission to protect and preserve the ecosystems of Grand Bahama. They have launched a new website to highlight the need to expand two existing national parks and two new areas that they want get established as national parks. The areas proposed in the Grand Bahama national park expansion initiative, include expansions of Peterson Cay National Park and Lucayan National Park, and the addition of East Grand Bahama and Northshore/Gap areas. The new proposed national parks will be managed for multiple use, which will be determined through consultations between local stakeholders and the BNT as the manager of the national park system. (Photo courtesy of Mark Da Cunha)

Grand Bahama, Bahamas – The Grand Bahama branch of the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) is on a mission to protect and preserve the ecosystems of Grand Bahama. They have launched a new website to highlight the need to expand two existing national parks and two new areas that they want get established as national parks.

The areas proposed in the Grand Bahama national park expansion initiative, include expansions of Peterson Cay National Park and Lucayan National Park, and the addition of East Grand Bahama and Northshore/Gap areas. The new proposed national parks will be managed for multiple use, which will be determined through consultations between local stakeholders and the BNT as the manager of the national park system.

“We cannot take locals to visit the areas proposed for protection, so producing these videos offers the wider communities an opportunity for a virtual trip through these proposed parks,” said Lakeshia Anderson, GB BNT Parks Manager. “This is our first use of drone technology to highlight our parks, so many thanks to local Bahamian videographer Mark Da Cunha for his talents with video production and website design.”

Visit BahamasParks.org to Learn About GB Park Expansion - Grand Bahama is home to three national parks. Unfortunately, these existing parks do not adequately protect the critical nearshore and marine habitats necessary to sustain Grand Bahama’s fisheries resources. The BNT has produced videos on all of the proposed national parks, as well as, an on-line petition to show both the Government and the Grand Bahama Development Company, the support from Bahamians for the expansion of the Grand Bahama national park system. To see the videos on the parks and sign the petition visit bahamasparks.org and watch the four videos on the website. (Photo courtesy of Mark Da Cunha)

Grand Bahama is home to three national parks. Unfortunately, these existing parks do not adequately protect the critical nearshore and marine habitats necessary to sustain Grand Bahama’s fisheries resources. The BNT has produced videos on all of the proposed national parks, as well as, an on-line petition to show both the Government and the Grand Bahama Development Company, the support from Bahamians for the expansion of the Grand Bahama national park system.

“It is imperative that we show the support of Bahamians for the national park expansion,” said Eric Carey, BNT Executive Director. “We’ve had overwhelming support from the local East End communities, and want everyone be a part of this decision to preserve these special areas on Grand Bahama.”

To see the videos on the proposed parks, visit www.bahamasparks.org, and watch the four videos on the website. These videos will also be available on the BNT website, Facebook and YouTube pages.

“The most important thing we need people to do is sign the petition,” added Anderson. “The production of these videos was funded by The Nature Conservancy and Waitt Foundation. Voice-over was provided by local talent Trevor Russell, background music was donated by The Bahamas’ #1 recording artist KB Additional footage was donated by Deep Water Cay and H20 Bonefishing! I think once people see these, they will be in awe of the beauty in Grand Bahama, see the ecotourism value, and understand the importance these sites offer to safeguarding our natural resources and why we need to preserve it.”