IN THIS ISSUE

New Hummingbird Species

Discovery Club Symposium

Helping to Save a Life

BNT and Pride Estates

Fishermen round up Invasive Lionfish

Ministry of Works and Urban Development

The Newsletterof the BahamasNational Trust

P.O. Box N-4105Nassau, BahamasTel: 242-393-1317

bnt@bnt.bs www.bnt.bs

On Monday, August 31, in a remarkable demon-stration of the Government of the Bahamas’ commit-ment to the nation’s envi-ronment, Minister of the Environment and Housing, the Hon. Kenred Dorsett, has announced over 7 mil-lion acres of new protected marine areas. The Bahamas goes on record as protect-ing 10% of their near shore and marine environment and is halfway to meeting their commitment under the Caribbean Challenge

Initiative to protecting 20% of their marine environment by 2020. This great achieve-ment would not have hap-pened without the support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Full-Sized Project that included as its goal the expansion of the marine protected area sys-tem of The Bahamas. The target was 2.5 million hect-ares and the new announced protected areas encompass more than 3 million hectares.

National Implementing Support Partners (NISP):

The Bahamas National Trust, BEST Commission, Department of Marine Resources and The Nature Conservancy worked with a

Site visit to Joulter Cays. Pictured from left to right: Lawrence Glinton, BNT President; Neil Mckinney, Former BNT President; Vanda Rahming, Former Cheif Councillor for North Andros; Hon. Kenred Dor-sett, Minister of the Environment and Housing; Cleola Pinder, Administrator for Central Andros; Matt Jeffery, BNT Council Member and National Audubon; Eric Carey, BNT Executive Director.

Celebrating New Bahamian Protected Areas

Volume 10 Issue 12 September 2015

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Celebrating New Bahamian Protected Areas

TrustNotes - Volume 10, Issue 12 - September, 2015 2

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large number of local partners and international funding agencies to protect these important new marine protected areas for the benefit of Bahamians today and in the future. “No man is an island”, and that is cer-tainly the case with this great conser-vation achievement. We would like to recognize and thank the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Global Environment Facility (GEF), National Audubon, Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, Island Conservation, Organization of American States, Global Parks, Atlantis Blue Project, Dr. Craig Dahlgren, Friends of the Environment, Abaco Fly-f ishing Association, Abaco Lodge, Schooner Bay, Waitt Foundation, Freeport Harbour Co., Deep Water Cay, the Grand Bahama Regional Committee, BREEF and San Salvador Living Jewels.

The BNT commends the govern-ment of The Bahamas and Minister Kenred Dorsett for their commitment to safeguarding and protecting our nation for future generations. We look forward to working with them and our conservation partners for the next 10% and for the development of management plans for these newly declared areas.

Moriah Harbour Cay expansion.

East Abaco Creeks National Park. Snake Cay Aerial.

New additions to the protected areas system are:

Abaco:The Marls of Abaco National ParkEast Abaco Creeks National Park

Cross Harbour National Park South Abaco Blue Holes National

Park

Crooked Island / Acklins:Southeast Bahamas Marine Man-

aged AreaBight of Acklins National Park

Andros:Andros Green Cay National Park

The Joulter Cays National Park

The Cay Sal Marine Managed Area

Grand Bahama:The North Shore  - The Gap

National Park East Grand Bahama National ParkLucayan National Park Expansion

Peterson Cay National Park expansion (further consultations

are being held with the key Grand Bahama stakeholders. All Grand

Bahama parks exclude Grand Bahama Development Company

holdings)

Hogsty Reef Protected Area

Mayaguana:Booby Cay National Park

New Providence:Southwest New Providence Ma-

rine Managed AreaPerpall Tract National Park

Great Exuma:Expansion of Moriah Harbour Cay

National Park

TrustNotes - Volume 10, Issue 12 - September, 2015 3

Education

Behring Point Primary (Andros) Discovery Club Leader Latia Smith is ready to make something wonderful.

Discovery Club Symposium 2015Forty Discovery Club leaders from

seven islands traveled to Nassau at the end of July to attend the annual Leaders Symposium. The three day symposium was focused on Youth Empowerment, Bird Migration, and Adaptation. The opening of the symposium focused on the impor-tance of Discovery Club leaders as BNT ambassadors in their communities. The leaders came together to work on the Badge Programmes for the year and to develop a project that focused on taking action for the environment. Each leader was empow-ered to develop a special initiative in one of these areas: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle; Saving Our Species; Acting Today to Ensure Conch for Tomorrow; and Pick a Park: Support a National Park. The hope is that Discovery Club members will not only learn about the environment but take positive action to improve their island surround-ings. Navigator leaders evaluated each level of their programme and tested the actual activities. All of the first year leaders also received first aid and CPR certification. Club meetings will begin in September and students interested in joining Discovery Club should contact csands@bnt.bs.

Discovery Club leaders show what they made during the camouflage activity.

TrustNotes - Volume 10, Issue 12 - September 2015 4

Maintenance Supervisor, Hermane Exament demonstrating how to stop bleeding and ban-dage a wound on Preserve Attendant, Brian Smith.

National Parks

Helping to Save a LifeSafety of guests and staff being para-mount in the minds of the Management of the Bahamas National Trust, on July 6th and 9th, the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve staff undertook the American Heart Association, First Aid and CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) train-ing. Trained AHA Instructor and native Eleutheran, Nurse Bernadette Colebrooke, came to the Levy Preserve with all the necessary tools required to complete the course.

The certification is good for two years and covers, among other things: what to do if you encounter someone choking; suffering from burns or scalds; having a stroke or heart attack; involved in an accident; or what to do for someone who has stopped breathing.

The training covered two days, with four staff each day to allow for each staff member to be fully engaged in the all-day training with no interruptions except to eat lunch. All eight staff members successfully passed the training and are now certified and confident that they will be able to give someone the best chance of survival if an emergency arises. As Preserve Supervisor Arlington Johnson, Jr. so aptly states, “This training is not just important for on the job, but can also help you to save the life of a loved one in your home, or in your community”.

Nurse Colebrooke looking on as Preserve Manager, Falon Cartwright and Office Assistant, Alvanna Johnson demonstrate performing CPR and using the AED as a team, during the exam portion of the course.

TrustNotes - Volume 10, Issue 11 - September, 2015 5

National Parks

Ministry of Works and Urban Development paves access road to

Bonefish Pond National Park

The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) held a brief ceremony to thank the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development Philip “Brave” Davis and his ministry, for paving the access  road leading to Bonefish Pond National Park off  Cowpen Road on Wednesday, August 5, 2015.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the gift of nearly 2,500 feet of asphalt finished roadway was paved at a cost of $142,246.01 with value-added tax (VAT) included.

Davis said Bonefish Pond is one of New Providence’s best kept secrets. “I am advised though that word is already getting out that this place is open”.

He added, “I am very happy that my ministry had an opportunity to partici-pate in this venture. I encourage the work

of the Bahamas National Trust as you continue your business of preserving essential wetland biodiversity through-out The Bahamas”,

Minister of the Environment and Housing, Kenred Dorsett, BNT President, Larry Glinton and BNT  Executive Director, Eric Carey were also in atten-dance at the ceremony. Bonefish Pond was designated a National Park in 2002 to safeguard one of the largest remaining intact areas of nearshore marine ecosys-tems around New Providence. It is the largest National Park on the island, cover-ing 1,235 acres of mangrove lined creeks, seagrass meadows, and macroalgal beds.

Bonefish Pond is critical in the juve-nile and adult life stages of many ecologi-cally, economically, and culturally import-ant fish and invertebrate species of The

Bahamas, including groupers, majorra (Broad Shad), snappers, grunts, bonefish, barracuda, crabs, crawfish, queen conch and many species of shore birds.

Dorsett said he hoped that the new access road signals once again the com-mitment that this government admin-istration has to the ongoing work and efforts of the BNT.

He said individuals can experience an ecological Family Island transforma-tion right in the city of Nassau by visiting sites like Bonefish Pond.

However, the minister also encour-aged visitors to keep the pond clean and pristine by throwing their garbage in the receptacles provided at the park.

Speaking on behalf of the BNT, Glinton said, “They often say that tears of gratitude dry exceedingly quickly, but we want to assure you that we are deeply grateful for all of the effort, the hard work and more importantly, the commitment you have shown by this work to the BNT and indeed, the people of The Bahamas”.

He explained that the pond’s 600-foot boardwalk and covered viewing platform were built in 2009 as part of the govern-ment’s economic stimulus package. “This infrastructure provided excellent access for school groups visiting the park for snorkelling tours and wetland education field trips”.

“Bonefish Pond National Park is one of the most requested educational field trips offered by the BNT’s  Education Department with over 5,000 students visiting annually”.

Glinton made sure to highlight that the new access road will allow visitors to arrive at the site much more quickly, with no damage to their vehicle while also providing parking areas.

Pictured from left to right: Cameron Saunders, Deputy Park Warden; Steven Wright, Deputy Park Warden; Hon. Philip “Brave” Davis, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development; Kristoff Francois, Assistant Deputy Park Warden; Anwar Rolle, Park War-den; Hon. Kenred Dorsett, Minister of the Environment and Housing.

BNT and Pride Estates partner at Harrold and Wilson Ponds

National Park

On Saturday, August 8th, in part-nership with Dr. Kendal Major, MP for Garden Hills and Speaker of the House, the BNT held a special work day “Pride for Pride”. Volunteers from Generali Insurance and the Rotary Club of East Nassau, residents of Pride Estates and BNT staff came together to clean the graff iti from the boardwalk area, remove invasive species and celebrate taking action for the environment.

On June 2, 2015, BNT Wardens reported vandalism at the park. Graff iti had been spray painted on

the boardwalk, benches and covered pavilion area. Pride Estates residents were outraged and saddened and at the press conference discussed hav-ing a workday to clean up the board-walk and do other work in the area.

The BNT organized park and wet-land centered environmental games and activities for young people as well as the actual cleanup. Dr. Major and staff from the BNT worked together to send a message to the vandals that such behavior in our National Parks and public areas is not acceptable. Refreshments and lunch were served

at the end of the day for volunteers and residents with the support of the Rotary Club of East Nassau.

“We were very pleased with the event and support from the Pride Estates Community”, said Shelley Cant-Woodside , BNT Parks Planner. “Over 60 residents came out to clean up the graff iti and remove invasive species from the park ”.

Volunteers from Generali Insurance assisted in removing lit-ter from the wetland adjacent to the boardwalk and completed two wet-land themed murals designed by art-ist Trevor Tucker which will be dis-played in the park. A remote radio broadcast by 100 JAMZ got the word out to the public about the cleanup and the importance of respecting our National Parks.

“Partnering with communities bordering our parks is essential to the management of National Parks”, said Lynn Gape, BNT Deputy Executive Director. “The support of Dr. Major in organizing and participating in the event was exceptional and we are already planning additional activi-ties with this community”.

Harrold and Wilson Ponds Boardwalk at Pride Estates Subdivision, was built by the BNT with a generous donation ($15,000) from the Rotary Club of East Nassau. The boardwalk was opened on October 24, 2007. The subdivision is adjacent to Harrold and Wilson National Park which was declared in 2002. The park which protects 250 acres of freshwater wetland also protects pine forests and nesting and feeding areas for over 100 bird spe-cies. The park was identif ied as an Important Bird Area using criteria from BirdLife International.

The boardwalk was designed as a peaceful retreat so that residents of the Pride Estates Subdivision could enjoy the park and view the birdlife that frequent the area.

TrustNotes - Volume 10, Issue 12 - September, 2015 6

Generali Insurance volunteers pose together on Harrold and Wilson Ponds’ boardwalk.

We are always willing to lend a helping hand.

National Parks

TrustNotes - Volume 10, Issue 12 - September 2015 7

New Hummingbird Species for The Bahamas

Science

The Bahama Woodstar (Calliphlox evelynae), a hummingbird endemic to the Bahamas Archipelago, has included until recently two recognized subspecies: Calliphlox e. evelynae found throughout The Bahamas and in the Turks and Caicos Islands, except on Great and Little Inagua where Calliphlox e. lyrura, named for its unique lyre-shaped outer tail feathers was found.

The Bahama Woodstar is a mem-ber of the Bee Hummingbird Group and scientists now say that the two subspe-cies are two distinct species. In today’s world discovery of a new species usual-ly means travel and research in remote areas, however, this newest species was discovered and researched in the back-yards of The Bahamas.

Teresa Feo, a doctoral student at Yale University and lead author of the new study published in the January issue of the The AUK explained “Much of the fieldwork was conducted sitting at back-yard tables of interested birders, holding the recorder in one hand and a cup of tea in the other”.

Physically both males and females of the two species are strikingly similar, but in this case appearances are deceiving. Physically males of the two species differ only in their forehead colors and forked tail feathers. These minor differences helped naturalists originally describe the birds as different species in the 1800’s.

Yet James Peters ignored the descrip-tion when he published the Check-List of Birds of the World in 1949 and lumped the

species together as the Bahama Woodstar.Sixty years later in 2009 Feo teamed

up with ornithologist Christopher Clark from the University of California, Riverside to study the bioacoustics of the Bahama Woodstar, specifically to record the pops and whistles produced when air runs along the male tail feathers during mating display dives. “We origi-nally wanted to study the two subspecies simply to capture the diversity of sounds they might produce with their tail feath-ers”, said Feo. “And in the course of doing fieldwork it became obvious that they were different. …and different more than just normal subspecies”. Feo and Clark dis-covered that the small differences in the tail feathers between the two subspecies resulted in distinct visual and acoustic courtship signals so that the males only attracted females of their own kind.

Researchers also discovered that they can distinguish the two species by their vocalizations. Males from the more widespread species found in the northern islands produce the classic humming-bird “light tinkling rambling songs” while males from the southern islands sound more like “wet squeaky shoes”. The birds also have different calls and scolding sounds, indicating a long his-tory of geographic separation. Because hummingbirds learn their songs from parents and neighbors, species separated by distance can develop unique dialects, much like humans. In this case separa-tion between the northern and southern islands of The Bahamas was enough for

the subspecies to create different languag-es. Genetic analysis and DNA sequenc-ing found many species level differences that indicated that the populations have evolved in isolation for about half a mil-lion years. The American Ornithologists Union (AOU) has recognized the new spe-cies as the Inagua Woodstar (Calliphlox lyrura).

Female Inagua Woodstar by Sandy Trevor.

Male Inagua Woodstar by Neil McKinney.

Staff Highlight

Cameron Saunders

Fishermen round up Invasive Lionfish

I have always loved observing nature, especially our Bahamian seascape. My undergrad at COB was in biology with chemistry and that opened my eyes even more to the wonders of nature. I have been a Deputy Park Warden for three years and my work has taken me from the salty and sandy to the bushy and rocky. I am a firm believer that our humanity is wrapped up in stewardship of our environment and that it is every person’s duty to care for their piece of Earth.

TrustNotes - Volume 10, Issue 12 - September, 2015 8

Science

Eleven boats joined the Lionfish Roundup on Saturday, August 22. While over 300 of the invasive fish were brought to the weigh-in, lionfish numbers contin-ue to increase. The BNT was proud to be a part of this event which seeks to edu-cate the general public about the need to control this invasive species. Thank you to organiser and sponsor Green Parrot as well as sponsors, The Department of Marine Resources, Harbourside Marine, Tropic Seafood, Sands Beer, John Watlings, Thompson Trading and Bay Street Marina. Team Maillis once again took first place, with Connection and Chasin’ Tails com-ing 2nd and 3rd. The biggest lionfish was caught by Connection and Rum Bye Bye brought in the smallest lionfish.

First Place winners Team Maillis.

Bahamas National TrustP. O. Box N-4105, Nassau, The Bahamas

Tel: 242-393-1317 www.bnt.bs | bnt@bnt.bs

BNT BULLETIN

Barbara Thompson has been a Lifetime Member of the BNT since the early 1980’s when she returned to the Bahamas permanently. She became involved with the Trust because of her love for global marine and terrestri-al environments. In college and grad school Barbara pur-sued marine biology and has a particular affinity for the most spectacular marine eco-system on the planet - the Exuma Cays. Her philan-

thropy extends to other environmental initiatives including The Bahamas Marine EcoCentre.

Barbara continues to be a strong advocate for the environ-ment and has been a BNT Board member for over five years. “It is important that we not only protect these natural resources, but also share their value and enlighten students of today and future generations”, says Barbara. “Much of what the BNT rep-resents is a means to assure a sustainable future for our Bahamas. Resources are finite if not protected. If people continue mis-using and not taking steps to protect our environs we will reap the consequences. The BNT is an organisation that will help to safeguard our future”.

TrustNotes - Volume 10, Issue 12 - September, 2015 9

Event Calendar

Membership Highlight Barbara Thompson

Wine and ArtFriday, October 30 - 31, 2015 - Nassau

JollificationFriday, November 20 - 22, 2015 - Nassau