From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
Starbucks Celebrates Earth Day - Partners with BNT to clear invasives from National Park
By Lynn Gape
Apr 26, 2012 - 4:54:45 PM
Starbucks partners with BNT to clear invasives from National Park
Starbucks joined forces with the Bahamas National Trust to take Action for the Planet on Saturday, April 21st by clearing invasive cattails from Harrold and Wilson Ponds National Park. “Starbucks staff and management were pleased to volunteer and help the BNT at Harrold and Wilson Ponds National Park “ said Dino Matsas, Starbucks Operations Manager. “ We like for our staff to get actively involved with the organizations we support and volunteering at the park helped us understand the role of the BNT as our national parks manager and experience some of the challenges they face in managing our protected areas.”
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Nassau, Bahamas -
Starbucks joined forces with the Bahamas National Trust to
take Action for the Planet on Saturday, April 21st by clearing
invasive cattails from Harrold and Wilson Ponds National Park. “Starbucks staff and management were pleased to
volunteer and help the BNT at Harrold and Wilson Ponds National Park “ said
Dino Matsas, Starbucks Operations Manager.
“ We like for our staff to get actively involved with the organizations
we support and volunteering at the park helped us understand the role of the
BNT as our national parks manager and experience some of the challenges they
face in managing our protected areas.”
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This was the first activity that Starbucks has planned with
the BNT. The team will be at The Retreat
on April 28th, helping to generally clean and clear the paths at the BNT headquarters
on Village Road as part of their continuing Earth Day commitment to take
positive action for the planet. A
Special Celebration of the Acts of Green Challenge will be held immediately
following the cleanup.
Harrold and Wilson Ponds National Park , a 250 acre
freshwater wetland was created in 2002 and the BNT added boardwalks and
interpretive signage in 2007. The park
is a popular stop for birdwatcher
s as
more than 100 species have been recorded at the wetland which is one of 39
Important Bird Areas in The Bahamas.
According to Lindy Knowles, Science Officer
for the BNT, “ The cattail
problem is caused by nutrient runoff from activities surrounding the ponds. Cattails if controlled help with storm
drainage and provide habitat for wading birds but in the case of Harrold and
Wilson Ponds the high nutrient runoff has caused an imbalance in the natural
system and we are having to implement a habitat management programme which is
basically removing cattails from the system.’”
The BNT is encouraging the public to take positive action on
Earth Day by committing an Act of Green.
“We want to encourage our members and friends to take at least one
action that will help our planet , “ said Natasha Wright Director of
Development. “ Plant a tree, pledge to turn out lights, or join an organization
like the Bahamas National Trust. You can
post your act for the planet with a picture on the BNT – Acts of Green
Challenge Facebook Page”.
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