Abaco National Park
Established: 1994
Size (acres): 20,500
Location: Abaco
The Abaco National Park was a significant addition to the National Park system of The Bahamas. At the time of its establishment, it was the first major park to be created in The Bahamas in over 20 years! The park renders the northernmost range of the endangered Bahama Parrot protected and conserves it in perpetuity. Unique among New World Parrots, these birds are subterranean nesters, nesting in naturally created limestone cavities on the ground of the pine forest.
A comprehensive and successful conservation education campaign rallied Bahamians to call for and support the creation of a park in Abaco. This prompted the Bahamas Government to declare some 20,500 acres in south Abaco, a National Park under the management of the Bahamas National Trust. This area is inclusive of 5,000 acres of forested land where the most endangered populations of Bahama Parrots remain. In addition to the parrot, a great diversity of birdlife are protected in this area. As a result, the Abaco National Park has been designated an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society and Bird Life International.
The Bahamas National Trust continues to involve stakeholders and forge partnerships towards the effective management of the park. The Abaco National Park is the pilot site for the Abaco Fire Project. In addition, the People and Parrots Project has assisted the Trust in recreational planning for the park and in the production of educational materials for the area.
The Abaco National Park also holds great potential for ecotourism. The Park is easily accessible and the supporting tourism infrastructure in Abaco lends itself to the development of nature tourism activities. Abaco has the best birding of any island in The Bahamas. It is possible to see more Bahamian specialties on Abaco than on any other island. A visiting birder with a good guide can see Bahama Parrots, West Indian Woodpeckers, Bahama Swallows, Bahama Yellowthroats, Loggerhead Kingbirds, Olive-capped Warblers and Bahama Mockingbirds.
What\'s protected . . .
- The northern nesting habitat of the Bahama Parrot
- 5,000 acres of Pine forest
- Mixed broadleaf coppice forest
- A portion of the extensive Abaco water lens
