The Tribune

AT a special breakfast hosted by the Bahamas National Trust (BNT), President Neil McKinney and his executive team presented the government with a proposal to create a new national park in the Joulter Cays off North Andros.

The proposal was accompanied by a technical brief showing the biological, ecological, and cultural significance of the Joulter Cays.

Additionally, BNT’s longstanding partner, National Audubon Society announced its full backing of the proposed Joulter Cays National Park proposal.

“Audubon strongly supports making the Joulter Cays and all of its attributes a new multi-use national park for the country,” said Chairman and CEO of Audubon, David Yarnold.

“We hope that this is one of the new conservation successes that we can celebrate together.”

The BNT invited ministers and Members of Parliament to the breakfast announcement, and requested the government protect this richly diverse area, in support of their commitment to expand the Bahamas National Protected Area System.

Audubon has chosen to focus on the Joulter Cays because recent studies have shown that the endangered Piping Plover, one of North America’s most endangered shorebirds, spends its winters in the Bahamas, and specifically in large numbers in the Joulter Cays.

In addition to supporting the establishment of the Joulter Cays as a national park, Audubon will work with the BNT to increase bird-based tourism in the Bahamas. As part of regional IDB funded project, which aims to increase bird-based tourism throughout the Caribbean, including the Bahamas, Audubon will work with communities in Andros and Inagua to develop bird guiding skills, business skills, marketing skills and establish environmental education programmes for communities.

After presenting the Joulter Cays National Park proposal, members of the Audubon board were taken to North Andros by the BNT board and executives.

“The objective of the trip was to provide National Audubon International subcommittee members, CEO, CCO and other invitees with a view of Audubon’s work in the Bahamas on the Piping Plover and other species,” said BNT President McKinney. “We were also able to visit one of the proposed IDB tourism project sites.”

CEO Yarnold noted that Audubon will be using their vast network and communication channels, like their magazine, which reaches 1.7 million readers, to help market the Bahamas, and the soon-to-be-established bird-based tourism.

“The islands of Inagua and Andros are primed and ready for nature based tourism,” said Eric Carey BNT Executive Director. “The bird life is spectacular, with abundant flamingoes in Inagua, and the endemic Bahamian Oriole and the endangered Piping Plover in Andros. This IDB grant will give local entrepreneurs the chance to profit from our idyllic natural beauty.”