Seasons Greetings
As we say goodbye to another year, and another decade we are thankful to you our supporters for your continued dedication to helping us preserve our beautiful environment for generations to come. This year has had its challenges but despite setbacks, it was still a wonderful year!
The work continues. We welcome 2020…..
Here are some of our 2019 achievements
- Trained 12 student Cadets, who are now able to identify over 100 species of fish, coral and algae. Also saw that 9 of those Cadets who didn’t have, received their open water SCUBA certification.
- Conducted mangrove harvesting a replanting projects on Bimini and Grand Bahama, planting nearly 1,000 mangrove saplings in safer areas to build mangrove forest.
- Returned with the Learn to Swim and Ocean Survival program with SwimTayka on Bimini and Grand Bahama where 150 children and adults were taught safe water methods for swimming and introduced to several environmental education topics such as coastal erosion and the mangrove web.
- Implemented the Canal Clean Sweep initiative on Grand Bahama to highlight the impact that plastics and other marine debris are having on waterways which impacts small nurseries and safe movement of vessels. With 4 sweeps under our belt, we have collected over 1500 small pieces of Styrofoam, glass, rope, aluminum and plastic pieces.
- Expanded our water quality monitoring program for safe swimming at public beaches, collecting, processing and reporting on nearly 250 samples for Grand Bahama, Bimini and New Providence. Also increasing number of beaches monitored by 25% since 2018.
- Scrutiny of the Oban deal and steps taken for legal action has seen the Government’s doubting its decision to agree to the oil refinery proposal. This movement of the proposal is being closely monitored by STB, who stop at nothing to prevent the construction of the oil refinery in east Grand Bahama, home to one of the largest fresh water reserves in the country.
- Successful engagement of people and government officials to meet with Robert Kennedy, Jr. during his visits to Grand Bahama, New Providence and Bimini. Kennedy spoke to crowds on right to clean water as a human right and presented certificates of completion to students participating in swim program on Bimini.
- Began water quality monitoring program on fresh water (groundwater well pumps) used by residents in small community outside the city after Hurricane Dorian so that these residents are aware of status of water being used for drinking and other household purposes. Also partnered with Waves for Water to provide these homes with simple water filtration systems.
- Formed coalition with 4 other local environmental NGOs to petition Disney and Government to withdraw plans for development of cruise at Lighthouse Point on Eleuthera island.
