NASSAU, BAHAMAS. On March 7th 2020, the Caribbean Philanthropic Alliance (CPA) – Bahamas Division kicked off its 100K tree planting initiative at popular tourist destination, Blue Lagoon Island.
Led by Sustainability Coordinator Dr. Ancilleno Davis, the team was comprised of leaders of the Bahamian Division, members of the Queen’s College environmental club and local volunteers –spent the better part of the day collecting and planting indigenous seedlings across the island. CPA Bahamas Division team leaders are Melissa Ingraham (National Team Leader) and Tiana Amann (Assistant National Team Leader).
All in all, the team managed to collect and pot over five hundred local seedlings, with seventy Black mangroves being planted alongside several hundred sea grapes in specially selected coastal zones. The initiative, in part a response to the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, aims to promote regional cohesion in the fight against a warming, increasingly volatile global climate. Among the wider aim of addressing warming temperatures, the initiative seeks to address matters of food security, beach stabilization and mangrove development.
In addition to plant collection, members also engaged in a hiking tour of the island and were treated to a presentation by Education Partner Debra Gardiner on the environmental and cultural importance of endemic plants.
As its name suggests, the end goal of the project is to successfully plant 100,000 trees across the archipelago in an effort to increase the presence of endemic flora, and by extension preserve their historical, cultural and medicinal significance within Bahamian society. The plants will come from a variety of sources, from local donors to international patrons to privately purchased stores and will also aid in the reforestation of such hurricane devastated islands as Abaco and Grand Bahama, and the promotion of ecotourism on others.
The CPA – Bahamas Division is aiming to organize another trip to Blue Lagoon Island in the near future, but in the meantime you can stay up to date on their various education and outreach programs by visiting www.thesustainablelifestyle.org.