The Tribune

By FAY SIMMONS

Tribune Education Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

More than 200 students across The Bahamas took part in a record number of youth camps this summer, as Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) deepened its focus on education, conservation, and community engagement.

In partnership with five organisations on five islands, BTT hosted ten youth camps and a workshop with law enforcement, giving students hands-on experience in marine science, habitat restoration, and environmental stewardship.

“It was inspiring to see so many young people connect with their environment in meaningful ways,” said Ms Nina Sanchez, BTT’s Bahamas Education Coordinator. 

“These camps foster pride in our natural resources and a sense of responsibility to protect them.”

The programmes are part of BTT’s broader mission to support coastal ecosystems and empower the next generation of conservation leaders. The excitement and curiosity shown by students, Ms Sanchez added, gives hope for the future of conservation in The Bahamas.

Alongside youth programmes, BTT completed a major milestone in June with the construction of a new mangrove nursery on Crooked Island—the first in the Southern Bahamas. The nursery will grow up to 10,000 red mangrove propagules annually to help restore critical bonefish habitat damaged by Hurricane Joaquin in 2015.

“Working with local guides to restore the flats they depend on is very rewarding,” said Mr Justin Lewis, BTT’s Bahamas Research Manager.

“We’re building on what we learned in Grand Bahama and Abaco to support communities that haven’t recovered naturally.”

BTT will highlight both student programmes and restoration work at its upcoming 8th International Science Symposium, where 50 speakers from The Bahamas, the US, Latin America, and the Seychelles will present conservation research and strategies.

“The symposium builds strategies that protect not just fish and habitats, but also the communities and economies that depend on them,” said Dr Aaron Adams, BTT’s Director of Science and Conservation.

Registration is now open at bonefishtarpontrust.org/symposium