Bahamas Minister Announces Forest Inventory Plan

#Bahamas, April 10, 2018 – Nassau – Eighty percent of the forests of The Bahamas are owned by government, 20% remains in the hands of private land owners and in a partnership with Jamaica, The Bahamas Forestry Unit hopes to complete the planting of 10,000 trees by the end of the year.

“The 10,000 trees campaign is another one of our ambitious initiatives.  The objective is to plant an additional 10,000 trees in partnership with the Trees that Feed Foundation in Jamaica by the end of 2018.  The Forestry Unit have also partnered with nurseries like Rocky Farms, Fox Hill and Modernistic Gardens.” – Ramould Ferreira (Environment Minister)

Environment Minister, Ramould Ferreira, during a national address gave a state of Bahamas forests report and it was impressive.  Not only did the public hear about ongoing research on the pine islands of Grand Bahama, Abaco, New Providence and Andros but it was shared that April will launch an inventory effort.

“My ministry is also working with the International Conservation Core and the United States Forest Services to perfect our national inventory methodology and to conduct an extensive inventory of our forest.  This inventory is set to commence in April, 2018.”

The Bahamas is working in tandem with countries around the world where a global goal is to plant more trees for sustainability and to boost resilience to climate change.

“My ministry is also invested in technology by obtaining drones via a gift from the nature conservancy to assist with monitoring and evaluation of our forest resources.”

On Arbor Day or World Forestry Day, the Bahamas joined in with the world wide commemoration with a motorcade and the naming of its first junior minister of the environment.  A 16-year-old CR Walker High student, Carmetta Barry.

By: Deandrea Hamilton