Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: PM thanks BNT for preserving the natural environment
#Nassau, July 16, 2019 – Bahamas – Thanking the Bahamas National Trust for preserving the natural environs of the country over the past 60 years, Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis revealed further plans towards the protection of natural resources.
He was addressing the 60th Anniversary celebration of The Bahamas National Trust at its Retreat Gardens on Village Road, July 12, 2019. He also thanked the staff, donors, benefactors and volunteers for its towering achievements over the past six decades.
“I thank the BNT also for the essential role it plays in safeguarding the sacred and natural trust that is the commonwealth of beauty that is The Bahamas,” the Prime Minister said.
Founded in 1969, The Bahamas National Trust manages the Bahamas National Park System of 32 National Parks, which protect over two million acres of Bahamian biodiversity.
“Indeed, a part of the genesis of the Bahamas National Trust was the fierce determination and desire of an intrepid group of individuals to preserve and to conserve the biodiversity and beauty of The Bahamas,” the Prime Minister said.
“Their inspiration and dedication led to the establishment of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, the world’s first land and sea park.”
The Prime Minister observed that the natural treasury being celebrated is under threat from pollution and from a global climate crisis and warming planet.
“Just as previous generations summoned the fierce determination and will to conserve and to preserve our natural heritage, we must likewise summon the fierce urgency of the moment to address a complex of crisis which threatens our very existence as a country.”
Over the decades, the Prime Minister said that the country’s extensive land and park system, which stretches the length of the archipelago, has become known as a wellspring of biodiversity for the region.
He then revealed that the Government would collaborate with the BNT as it implements its 2018-2022 Strategic Plan.
“This includes ongoing efforts to address the current climate emergency, combating the effects of plastics on our environment, and other measures to conserve our natural environment and to educate Bahamians about our shared environmental trust,” he said.
The government will also work with the BNT in the creation of policies necessary to enhance biodiversity conservation in alignment with international best practices and in accord with national sustainable development goals.
And, the Government and the Trust have collaborated in identifying approximately 40 new marine areas for protection, which cover over 8.1 million acres. This will ensure that The Bahamas fulfills its goal of protecting 20 percent of our marine environment by 2020.
“Further, I am pleased that the Government of The Bahamas has signed an agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank to advance conch conservation efforts in The Bahamas,” the Prime Minister said.
“We have also launched The Bahamas Coral Innovation Hub with the Cape Eleuthera Institute and Perry Institute for Marine Science,” he disclosed.
The purpose of this coral innovation hub is to advance and to deploy coral conservation science, and to scale up coral restoration using groundbreaking techniques.
Approximately 1.3 million coral embryos have been created by collecting spawn from reef-building and endangered coral species in The Bahamas using cutting-edge coral reproduction techniques.
“We have also created a management plan for the Spiny Lobster fishery and we will continue to advance other measures to conserve our fish populations,” the Prime Minister said.
Having been granted the stewardship of the natural wonders of The Bahamas by the Creator and by history, “we have the awesome responsibility of ensuring the preservation and conservation of these wonders for ourselves and for generations many centuries hence,” the Prime Minister said.
He assured the BNT of the continued support of the government in the conservation and celebration the country’s majestic national park system.
By Lindsay Thompson
Release: BIS
Photo Captions:
BIS Photos/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.
Header: Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis addresses the 60th Anniversary celebration of The Bahamas National Trust at its Retreat Gardens on Village Road, July 12, 2019.
First Insert: BNT Celebrates 60 years – at cake cutting are, from left: Eric Carey, Executive Director, BNT; Stephanie Bowers, Charge d’Affaires, United States Embassy; the Hon. Romauld Ferreira, Minister of the Environment and Housing; Prime Minister Minnis; and Geoffrey Andrews, President, BNT.
Second Insert: Touring Exhibition at the Bahamas National Trust, which celebrated 60 years of existence at its Retreat on Village on Friday, July 12, 2019. Pictured looking on are Prime Minister Minnis (right); Lynn Gape, Deputy Executive Director, BNT; Geoffrey Andrews (left), President, BNT; and the Hon. Romauld Ferreira, Minister of the Environment and Housing.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to once again support Basketball Smiles for their 27th year.
Upholding its corporate pillar of community outreach, CBC proudly donated $2,000, over 75 cases of Dasani, Powerade and Sprite, reusable
Powerade water bottles and numerous marketing materials.
The annual sporting summer camp offers free basketball and life skills training to Junior and High School students.
Basketball Smiles’ mission of developing leadership qualities while fostering children’s academic achievement and self-esteem aligns perfectly with CBC’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth.
Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Caribbean Bottling Company shared why the company continues to support this program each year.
“At CBC, we believe investing in our youth is one of the greatest ways to strengthen our communities. We’re proud to support Basketball Smiles each year because it goes beyond the game. This program champions healthy lifestyles, positive values and brighter futures. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping these young athletes reach their full potential each year,” she shared.
Sam Nicholls, Basketball Smiles Camp President and Founder expressed.
“Caribbean Bottling Company is an incredible partner. We are truly grateful for their generous support, which will go a long way in making a positive impact on the lives of our campers,” Nicholls expressed.
CBC is always ready to lend its support toward initiatives and programs that uplift young Bahamians. The impact Basketball Smiles makes on the community is undeniable and is why CBC remains a historic sponsor.
For more information on sponsorship, events and new products, visit www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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