News

Michael E. Lightbourn of Treasure Cay and for-mally of Nassau passed away February 6th, 2012 succumbing to advanced lung cancer. He is sur-vived by his wife Elouise Lightbourn, son Edward and his wife Sara, daughter Katherine and her hus-band Stephen; his grandchildren Celena, William, Claire and Miles.

The Bahamas National Trust welcomes any discussion of environmental issues. One of our chief goals is to raise public awareness and understanding of these issues. The BNT places a high priority on environmental values because they are the necessary foundation for human happiness, health, livelihood and security.

On Saturday, October 29th, the Bahamas National Trust will open its gates for the 21st Annual Wine and Art Festival. The Annual Festival features over 50 talented artists , a selection of over 50 wines from Bristol Wines and Spirits and a new feature this year a wine and food pairing area sponsored by the Min-istry of Tourism’s Culinary Tourism Division.

BNT Council Visits Inagua The BNT Council held their fall meeting in Matthew Town Inagua from September 23 – 26. Th e meeting was hosted by Past President Glenn Bannister, CEO of Morton Salt Bahamas Ltd. Council conducted the business of the Trust receiving updates from divisional managers and executive management. Priority items for discussions were fund raising initiatives and the need for stronger advocacy with regard to marine resources. Th e BNT was honoured to have the Hon. Earl D. Deveaux participate for a part of the discussion. Th e Minister spoke on the expanded role of the Trust as an advisory body to government and the need for collaboration in implementing the new Forestry Act.

(Eleuthera, Bahamas) - Mark Daniels, Site Manager with the Bahamas National Trust's Leon Levy Nature Preserve, shared with The Eleutheran some of the work the staff of the Preserve has been doing within the Governor’s Harbour-community during the week following hurricane Irene.

The Bahamas National Trust wishes to note its concern for Bahami-ans who have suffered loss of property and personal belongings in the Islands affected by Hurricane Irene a category 3 hurricane as it traveled the length of the Bahamas Chain August 25 and 26. The BNT is especially relieved that there was no life was lost in this dangerous storm.

Nineteen Students between the ages of the 13 and 15 were able to participate in the 3rd Annual Eco Camp in August. The students earned a place at the camp by writing an essay on why they were deserving of the ex-perience or were one of the winners of the Coastal Awareness Student competition. Students attending the camp were from Andros, Abaco, Acklins, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Eleuthera and New Providence.

Sharks in The Bahamas can breathe easier after the Bahamas’ government announced on July 5th that all commercial shark fishing in the approximately 630,000 square kilometers (243,244 square miles) of the country’s waters is now prohibited. “2011 is fast becoming the year of the shark,” said Jill Hepp, manager of global shark conservation for the Pew Environment Group. “Today’s announcement permanently protects more than 40 shark species in Bahamian waters. We applaud the people and government of Th e Bahamas for being bold leaders in marine conservation.”

Nassau, BAHAMAS (July 5, 2011)—Sharks in The Bahamas can breathe more easily after the nation’s government announced today that all commercial shark fishing in the approximately 630,000 square kilometers (243,244 square miles) of the country’s waters is now prohibited.

Following three successful and productive weeks of research in Cay Sal Bank, the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation’s Global Reef Expedition is off to a great start, said Captain Phillip Renaud, USN (ret), the Foundation’s Executive Director. “Our Cay Sal Bank research mission was ambitious, productive and a huge success” he said. “We accomplished more than we anticipated, being blessed with calm seas, clear water, sunny days and a great team effort.’