The Tribune

THE Bahamas National Trust salutes the Valley Boys for bringing together national parks, birds and culture during the New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade.

The theme “Invasion of the Birds - Birds of a Feather March Together” highlighted birds as indicators of environmental change resulting from climate change. The Valley Boys have sent out a call for us to heed nature’s warning so that Bahamian birds do not disappear from our islands.

The lead costume highlighted the Inagua National Park, home to a flock of 50,000 flamingos. A park that brought the flamingos back from the brink of extinction, one of the greatest bird conservation stories in the Americas.

“The BNT is absolutely thrilled to have the Inagua National Park and our national bird the flamingo featured as a centrepiece for the Valley Boy’s New Year’s Day Junkanoo presentation,” said Janet Johnson, deputy president of the BNT. “Through this initiative, the Valley has taken the work of the BNT and the National Parks of The Bahamas to popular culture. This is a major focus of the BNT and we hope this action by the Valley Boys will encourage Bahamians to become members and support the work of the BNT.”

Birds are an important component of the terrestrial biodiversity of our islands, a press release from the BNT said. Over 300 species of birds have been recorded in The Bahamas and 42 Important Bird Areas (sites of importance for bird conservation) have been designated. The BNT works with scientists to monitor the bird life of our islands, and is about to launch an advanced bird guide training programme on Andros and Inagua.

International agencies also recognise the importance of the Bahamas as winter habitat for migratory birds and are working with local partners to aid national conservation initiatives. The Bahamas provides an important wintering habitat for the Kirtland’s Warbler, an endangered North American Songbird and the Piping Plover, the most endangered North American Shorebird. Working with the US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Audubon, the BNT and its partners have begun monitoring these endangered species and training Bahamians in citizen science initiatives to support conservation efforts.

“The BNT believes that The Valley Boys’ message of ‘Take Heed, We must Protect our Birds’ is timely and appropriate as our islands face the impending challenges posed by climate change,” said Eric Carey, BNT’s executive director. “We join with the Valley by encouraging the public to become members of the BNT, volunteer and actively participate in protecting nature to preserve our heritage.”