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Key Conservation Organizations Commit to Scaling-Up Mangrove Restoration on World Mangrove Day

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#TheBahamas, August 2, 2023 – In recognition of World Mangrove Day, a diverse group consisting of conservation entities and academic institutions committed to collaborating through an unprecedented agreement to scale up efforts to restore mangrove ecosystem function in areas hard-hit by Hurricane Dorian in 2019 that are showing little to no signs of recovery almost four years later.

This agreement was memorialized Wednesday, July 26, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by founding members of the Bahamas Mangrove Alliance (Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, Perry Institute for Marine Science, and Waterkeepers Bahamas), Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute, Bahamas National Trust, Blue Action Lab, Friends of the Environment, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources – Forestry Unit, and The Nature Conservancy. The signing was held at the Harry C. Moore Library – University of The Bahamas. The group will also support developing and implementing a national mangrove restoration and monitoring plan and identify sustainable financing options to support long-term mangrove restoration needs.

“The signing of this MOU on World Mangrove Day is a momentous occasion for The Bahamas and its precious mangrove ecosystems,” stated Rashema Ingraham, Executive Director of Waterkeepers Bahamas, and member of the Bahamas Mangrove Alliance.” Through this collaborative effort, we will increase our capacity to execute restoration projects and pave the way for an ambitious scaling up of scientific research and community involvement in the preservation of these invaluable habitats.”

Mangroves are a critically important habitat for fish and wildlife, and they support Bahamian livelihoods through fishing and tourism. The natural infrastructure provided by mangroves aids in preventing erosion and absorbing storm surges during severe weather such as hurricanes or floods. Mangroves are among the most productive ecosystems on the planet and store up to five times more carbon than upland tropical forests, thus playing an important role in the global effort to reduce greenhouse gasses.

“All my life I’ve spent fishing, and today I’m excited to be a part of the mangrove restoration. This means so much to not only me but to all the folks who live here. When you think about the bonefish, they need the crabs, they need the shrimp, they need the mangroves. I’m filled with joy. To me, this is a dream come true. I remember in 2019 when I came out here after the storm and saw all the dead mangroves. I said, God, You’ve got to help us, and today, I see all of this wonderful work helping to bring it back,” said Sherman Tate, a fishing guide at East End Lodge on East Grand Bahama.

In 2019, Hurricane Dorian struck The Bahamas, devastating about 21,000 hectares of mangrove forests on Abaco Island and 22,000 hectares on Grand Bahama – equivalent to over 80,000 football fields. Some of the impacted areas are slowly regenerating, but due to the loss of mature plants that produce seeds, most of them will not recover without help.

This diverse group of agencies and leading non-profit organizations based in The Bahamas are coming together to increase coordination and ensure long-term support to take on mangrove restoration at scales needed to accelerate natural recovery and prevent further loss of the benefits that mangroves provide, bringing immense value to The Bahamas.

One of the group’s key priorities is to engage with community partners to build local capacity to conduct education and restoration activities such as seed collection, planting, and monitoring.

To learn more or get involved with restoration efforts, contact Rashema Ingraham, at 1-242-373-7558 or rashema@waterkeepersbahamas.com.

Initial funding for this historic 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: Strengthening Alliances for Mangrove Restoration:  Historic MOU signed on World Mangrove Day (July 26th) Front L-R Jim McDuffie, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust; Rashema Ingraham, Waterkeepers Bahamas; Dr Craig Dahlgren, Perry Institute for Marine Science

Back L-R  Dr Carlton Watson, University of The Bahamas; Marcia Musgrove, The Nature Conservancy; Dr Brandon Bethel, University of The Bahamas; Geoffrey Andrews, Bahamas National Trust

1st insert: Representatives from key conservation organizations attend MOU signing at the Harry C. Moore Library, University of The Bahamas on World Mangrove Day (July 26th)

2nd insert: Red Mangroves ready for Outplanting

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Get your laugh on, March On, family drama by Gea Pierre, debut this weekend in Turks and Caicos 

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer

After resounding success in the Bahamas, hit play ‘March On, The Story of Us’ has been inundated with requests to take their show on the road, and the first location they’ll be hitting is Providenciales Turks and Caicos with tickets on sale again this weekend, the show debuts Friday night.

Magnetic Media spoke to Gea Pierre, playwright, who told us the TCI was a natural first choice for the cast and crew where shows are set for Brayton Hall, for Friday May 10 at 8pm and Saturday has two showings; matinee at 4pm and evening, 8pm.

Tickets are $75 VIP. General admission is $60.

“We started ‘March On’ in November 2023 and it was really an opportunity for us to tell a story, the story of the Bahamas and to encompass the nations that we have an amazing relationship with like the Turks and Caicos,” she continued “We really got a lot of people calling [for the play] from [the TCI], so much so we really had to pay attentattention.

The response to ‘March On’ at home and abroad was overwhelming.

“To say it went well is an understatement, even before we opened we got calls from Canada, from all over the US with people wanting us to come and perform.”

And take the show on the road they did! Gea and her team have launched “March On: The Tour” and will be in Providenciales to perform on May 10th and 11th. It’s the first of a number of stops which include Nassau and several US locations.

Online tickets are available for purchase with credit cards. The full team returns on Friday, May 10 with the comedy production being held under the patronage of Washington Misick, TCI Premier and First Lady Delthia Misick.

Describing the close familial relationships between the TCI and the Bahamas, for many on the crew it will be like coming home Gea told us, for others it will be a treat to visit for the first time, the places that their grandparents described.

Gea maintained that the team wanted to keep the show as accessible to residents as possible.

As for why you should come out and see the play, other than the great price point:

“The way that people have responded to it is non stop laughter, people have been moved to tears because there’s some emotion. It does not only lend to Bahamians. It’s a family drama, and anyone who’s ever been a part of a family is going to get something out of it, and something moving.”

 

 

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The Bahamas Successfully Hosts Its Fourth World Athletics Relays

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NASSAU, Bahamas – Hundreds of people from around the world turned out in full force for the BTC World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 that took place at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, May 4 -5, 2024.

This is the sixth edition of the relays and the fourth time that The Bahamas has hosted the event, which actually made its debut in The Bahamas in 2014.

President, World Athletics, Sabastian Coe said after three very successful editions from 2014 to 2017, the World Athletics Relays has quickly become one of the World Athletics vibrant competitions, developing a culture of fun and innovation that gives it a unique flavour.

 

He thanked the Bahamas Government, the local World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 committee and the Bahamian people for agreeing to host the relays.  However, his main thanks were to the “world’s best sprinters” travelling from all the continents to compete in preparation for the road to Paris, France, in two months’ time.

During the opening ceremony, the athletes were given words of advice from Carl Lewis, one of only four Olympic athletes to have won nine Olympic gold medals, who is widely recognized as one of the greatest athletes of all time.

 

He said, “Keep it simple, do not try to do anything extra.  Do what your coaches said.  Leave on time, leave on time, leave on time.”

The athletes and crowds were treated to the sounds and sights of Junkanoo at the end of the opening ceremony.  The Junkanoo performers stuck around for the two days of competitions, playing for the sprinters as they competed on the track.

Teams competed in the Women’s and men’s 4x100m, and the women’s men’s and mixed 4x400m.  A total of 14 teams at the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 automatically qualified  for places at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.   Both days of competition were important, as day two offered another chance for qualifications for those teams unsuccessful on day one.

In fact, The Bahamas was able to take advantage of the second day of competition.

Bahamians were made proud as the country set a new national record during the mixed 4x400m relays thanks to the efforts of 16-year-old Shania Adderley, a student of Tabernacle Baptist Academy.

The team came first in their heat on Sunday evening after not being able to gain a spot for the Paris Olympics on the first day of competition.

Other sprinters on the team included Alonzo Russell, as well as Olympic champions Steven Gardiner and Shaunae Miller-Uibo.

(BIS Photos/Kemuel Stubbs)

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PM at World Relays 2024 Opening: ‘Tonight, the eyes are on The Bahamas’

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NASSAU, The Bahamas – During his remarks at the Opening Ceremony for the World Athletics Relays 2024, on May 4, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis welcomed the special guests, athletes,  officials, and “all lovers of athletics from around the world” to the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium here in the “vibrant heart” of Nassau, Bahamas.

“This weekend, the world’s finest athletes gather on our shores to embark on a journey that is not only about speed and strength but also about dreams and determination,” Prime Minister Davis said.  “From the serene beauty of our islands to the historic grandeur of Paris, this event marks a crucial path to the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.”

He added: “Here in The Bahamas, we are no strangers to world-class athletics or the warmth and exuberance that such international gatherings bring. It is a distinct honor to once again welcome the World Athletics Relays back to our islands. This event holds a special place in our hearts, symbolizing a bridge between nations brought together by the universal language of sport.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that that year’s theme, “Paradise to Paris,” captured the essence of that journey.

“It is here, amidst the splendor of our sun-kissed beaches and the rhythmic sway of our palms that the chase towards Olympic glory begins anew,” he stated.  “We are thrilled to offer a backdrop of unparalleled beauty, where every sprint, every baton pass, and every victory lap is set against the picture-perfect canvas of our islands.”

 

He added: “To our athletes, I say this: as you stand on the precipice of your dreams, ready to catapult yourself into the annals of history, know that you are part of a legacy of excellence and determination. This weekend, you are not only competitors but also ambassadors of your countries and the spirit of sport. We are especially proud of Team Bahamas, who carry the weight of their performance and the hopes and pride of our nation. You embody the spirit of The Bahamian people, and we are behind you every step of the way.”

Prime Minister said that to the international visitors, he extended “the warmest Bahamian welcome”.

 

“Over the next few days, as you revel in the thrill of competition, take a moment to bask in the beauty of our island,” he stated.  “Discover why we proudly say, “It’s Better in The Bahamas.” Whether it’s the hospitality of our people, the tranquility of our waters, or the rhythm of our culture, you are in for an experience that captures the heart and rejuvenates the soul.”

“Let us celebrate the unity and friendship that sports foster, cheering every athlete and savoring the spectacle of human potential at its best,” Prime Minister Davis added.  “I hope the races are swift, the results are inspiring, and the memories are lasting.

“Welcome to The Bahamas, the paradise where champions chase their dreams to Paris.  As your host, it is my immense pleasure to declare the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 2024 officially open.  Let the games begin.”

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