Birds & Science > Bird Conservation > International Alliances Program

Our Progams
Harrold and Wilson’s Ponds and Grand Bahama

Photo courtesy of Bahamas National Trust

The wetlands, marine shorelines and mangrove ecosystems of the Bahamas are vital to that nation’s economic well-being, and natural wealth, in the form of both general biodiversity and the islands’ migratory and endemic birds. Over 100 bird species – many of them threatened or of conservation concern—rely on Bahamian habitats for foraging, nesting, and roosting during some portion of their lifecycle.

Photo courtesy of Bahamas National Trust

Healthy coastal ecosystems are nurseries for many marine species that are economically and culturally important to Bahamians and are also prime attractions for international visitors. Like in many island nations, tourism is both a leading source of income and cause of ecological degradation. The very resources that attract visitors – the pristine shorelines, oceans, reefs, and the wildlife they support – are placed at risk by large-scale coastal developments to entice and accommodate the influx of people. Inland development to house the increasing number of employees needed to serve the new visitors soon follows, with corollary increases in water use, sewage production and waste disposal challenges. Both types of development have been happening rapidly and without a plan to lessen or mitigate impacts on water, land or wildlife.

In addition to the problems posed by poorly sited and designed developments, Bahamanian ecosystems are being damaged by dumping of solid waste into wetlands, sloughs and on beaches. Although the dumping is illegal, unsightly and unsanitary, it is widely ignored by regulators and viewed with relative indifference from island residents. The environmental, health, and economic challenges created by massive piles of trash, appliances and vehicles are significant, but without public outcry and political pressure to solve the problem officials have little motivation to control it.

Surface and groundwater pollution pose another threat to wetlands, shorelines and mangroves – and all the creatures that depend on them, including humans. This is often the result of development and dumping as these activities degrade the fragile land, removing the native vegetation and replacing it with pavement, structures and lawns. Leaching and runoff result, which are exacerbated by the islands’ porous ground.

Photo courtesy of Bahamas National Trust

In order for the Bahamas to continue to attract visitors, support its people, provide drinkable water and sustainable supplies of fish and gain economically from its world-renowned natural marine environment, its citizens and government must take more proactive measures to combat these threats to the islands’ ecological integrity.

IAP and Bahamas National Trust (BNT) have joined forces to increase national recognition of intact ecosystems as tools of ecological, economic, and social sustainability. Together, we are working to build an archipelago-wide demand for shoreline, wetland, and mangrove protection. Our partnership aims for nothing less than a new culture in which citizens take actions to conserve these resources of their own accord. As the first step toward these ends, IAP, BNT and Rare have completed a Pride Campaign in the Bahamas that raised public awareness about the country’s unique wetland and marine treasures.

Though the campaign was conducted throughout the Bahamas, it focused on the islands of New Providence and Grand Bahama, around population centers. On New Providence, Harrold and Wilson’s Ponds National Park was the central site for campaign activities. This Important Bird Area boasts one of the most intact mangrove and wetland systems on the island, and is readily accessible from Nassau, the biggest city in the Bahamas. Harrold and Wilson’s Ponds proved to be a strong teaching tool for the campaign—while it is a relatively healthy and intact landscape, it is beginning to exhibit signs of ecological stresses like those seen elsewhere in the Bahamas. By engaging community members at this site, the campaign was able to give residents first-hand examples of many of the islands’ natural ecosystem services, which include controlling storm surges, abating floodwaters, protecting coral reefs, and providing habitat for many avian species, while simultaneously highlighting the threats posed by unregulated development.

Major highlights and accomplishments of the campaign include the successful engagement of teachers, community members, and over 1,800 schoolchildren in field trips, guided tours, educational talks and other events. The Adopt-a-Wetland Program, an initiative that promotes conservation activities such as trash pick-ups and invasive plant removal, generated high community participation. Bird and nature festivals bolstered support for wetland conservation and involved citizens in restoration projects and educational activities. Working with residents in their natural landscapes at Harrold and Wilson Ponds and on Grand Bahama was an essential component of the campaign’s success, as residents became more aware of the strong links between mangrove and shoreline health and that of their own health and livelihoods.

Photos courtesy of Bahamas National Trust

Next Steps for IAP in the Bahamas…

Building on the success of the Pride Campaign and our partnership with BNT, Audubon through IAP will work with the Bahamas National Trust to enlighten Bahamians about their environment and engage them in actions to conserve and restore it. Audubon plans to continue to develop the scientific, education and advocacy capacity of BNT through a series of learning exchanges aimed at the protection of the unique treasures of the Bahamas.

At Harrold and Wilsons Pond, we will continue to engage citizens in restoration efforts that will enhance forage and roosting sites for migrating birds by sharing experiences, knowledge and skills from Audubon Florida’s Urban Oasis Program. The same program of restoring areas with native vegetation that benefit migrating birds will be implemented at the Retreat National Park on the island of New Providence and The Rand Nature Center on Grand Bahama Island.

Supporting BNT in their education and outreach programs, Audubon will be conducting educational field trips to Audubon Nature Centers in the U.S. for BNT education staff. The field trips are one of the most beneficial training experiences for educators, sharing techniques, lesson plans— and developing networks of peers is central to the success of good education programs. Audubon will also send highly trained educational staff and volunteers to the Bahamas to help develop and share education and outreach materials, lesson plans and advise in the development of junior naturalist clubs helping to build the environmental movement in the Bahamas.

Audubon also plans to partner with BNT to preserve one of the most important IBAs for Piping Plover outside the U.S. Audubon will work with BNT in developing a plan and implement that plan to protect unique shorelines on the island of Andros where the highly endangered Piping Plover is alleged to winter in large numbers.