About the Bahamas National Trust
The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) was established by an Act of Parliament in 1959. It is a non-governmental, non-profit organization, mandated with the development and management of the National Park System of The Bahamas.
The accomplishments of the BNT are diverse and impressive. The first marine replenishment area in the Wider Caribbean was established by the BNT in 1986 at the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. The West Indian Flamingo and other endangered species have been rescued from extinction. Hundreds of thousands of acres of valuable wetlands, forests, marine environments, and tropical ecosystems have been protected.
Innovative, award-winning contributions have been made to Bahamian environmental education and curriculum development. Several thousand Bahamian school children participate in BNT educational programs each year. With a reference library described as "the best in the region", the BNT continues to be a major resource center and clearinghouse for scholars, organizations, government agencies, teachers, and students conducting research on conservation in The Bahamas.
Some of the earliest promotion for protecting the environment as the foundation of tourism and the introduction of ecotourism originated from the BNT. The Trust makes vital contributions to fisheries and wildlife management, environmental protection, historic preservation, coastal zone management, sustainable development, environmental impact assessment, game bird management and tourism development.