Bahamas News
Key Conservation Organizations Recommit to Scaling-Up Mangrove Restoration
The Bahamas, July 2025 – In recognition of World Mangrove Day on July 26th, a coalition of government and non-governmental organizations has reaffirmed its goal: planting one million mangroves across The Bahamas by the end of 2026.
The Bahamas Mangrove Alliance (BMA), which includes Bonefish and Tarpon Trust (BTT), The Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS) Waterkeepers Bahamas (WKB), FRIENDS of the Environment and Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI) together with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Northern Caribbean Program, The Bahamas National Trust (BNT), The Ministry of Environment and its Forestry Unit, Blue Action Lab, and The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI), have joined forces to form the Northern Bahamas Mangrove Restoration Project (NBMRP). This science-based initiative was launched in response to the widespread mangrove loss caused by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. Since its inception, the coalition has developed comprehensive restoration plans, established ecological baselines, and continues to monitor progress at key restoration sites.
This collective effort aims to protect and restore The Bahamas’ mangrove ecosystems through science-based standards, community education, and targeted outreach. The ultimate objective is to protect biodiversity, strengthen local economies, and preserve the cultural heritage deeply tied to coastal environments.
“Through this work, we are implementing nature-based solutions to address the destruction left by Hurricane Dorian, said Jewel Beneby, Project Manager of TNC’s Northern Caribbean Program. “We are not just planting mangroves; we are placing communities at the center of our restoration efforts.” She added: “Even though there is so much more work to be done, it is our hope to get more support, more hands, more funding and a greater understanding of this vital ecosystem that not just supports us but protects us.”
Communities in Grand Bahama and Abaco, including fishers, local residents, civil groups and schools have played an essential role in this restoration journey. Together, NBMRP partners have developed a scientific-based and strategic approach guided by a Mangrove Restoration and Monitoring Plan that integrates carbon science and explores sustainable financing models.
“Mangroves are amazing plants that help build up soil and sediments, literally adding land for us,” said Denise Mizell, Program Manager at
The Perry Institute for Marine Science. “Additionally, they provide a habitat for fish, crabs, and other wildlife, including numerous bird species.My hope is to see mangroves thriving again. Just as these communities have shown resilience, I believe the mangroves will recover and flourish too.”
Community members are encouraged to participate in ongoing replanting activities throughout the year. Specifically, on Saturday, July 26th, for World Mangrove Day, the BMA, alongside NBMRP partners, will host a community mangrove seedling collection event in North Andros. The collected seedlings will aid the NBMRP in achieving the goal of planting One Million Mangroves in Abaco and Grand Bahama by 2026.
Janell Smith, Senior Mistress at Patrick Bethel High School who participated in a former mangrove replanting exercise said, “I did not even realise how important mangroves were until they invited us on the project and knowing that I and my students can make such a good impact for future generations to come, I would say that is what really empowered me.”
One of the key priorities of the group is to engage with community partners to build local capacity for conducting educational and restoration activities, such as seed collection, planting, and monitoring.
To get involved or support the NBMRP, visit www.bahamasmangrovealliance.org. Learn more about this initiative at https://youtu.be/6yRic5T1l6I?si=cwJP2aLH10ZnIQbC and https://youtu.be/mMYuOmFvCmo?si=xUo4Ev5eyUOClwkb.
Initial funding for this effort is generously provided by Builders Initiative, COmON Foundation, Global Environmental Facility Small Grants Programme – The Bahamas, Global Fund for Coral Reefs, Moore Bahamas Foundation and The Nature Conservancy.
Photo Captions:
Header: Members of the Bahamas Mangrove Alliance and Northern Bahamas Mangrove Restoration Project Partners gather for a mangrove planting initiative in Grand Bahama.
Insert: Community members participating in a mangrove restoration activity for the Northern Bahamas Mangrove Restoration Project.
(Photos: Bahamas Mangrove Alliance)
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
