The Grand Bahama Regional Branch of the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) has been spending this year educating Bahamians about their natural environment and ways to protect it with a series of public lectures.

The day before Earth Day, the BNT Grand Bahama branch will host a special lecture under this year’s Earth Day theme ‘It’s Our Turn to Lead’.

The lecture will be held today at 6:30 p.m. at the Rand Nature Centre on East Settler’s Way, and feature Gail Woon, founder of EARTHCARE and a director of Save The Bays.

“I plan to cover as many aspects using Bahamian examples of environmental challenges as possible and to touch on issues about wetlands, pollution, habitat destruction, fisheries management, invasive species and more,” said Woon.

“More importantly, I hope to inspire the audience to become better informed and to become active rather than passive, so that together, we can lead our country into the future in a wise and sustainable manner that will benefit us all for generations to come.”

Woon is especially suited to present for Earth Day, as over the years, she has emerged as a passionate protector of our Bahamian environment.

Woon holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Technology/Aquaculture and an Associate of Science in Oceanographic Technology degree. Additionally, she recently earned a Diploma in International Environmental Law with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Geneva, Switzerland.

Woon founded EARTHCARE in 1988 and shortly thereafter, the organization was instrumental in achieving a ban on longline fishing.

Additionally, EARTHCARE received a grant from SWOT (State of the World’s Oceans Turtles) where they have been able to distribute literature on marine turtles to all of the schools and libraries on the island of Grand Bahama. She also works with Save The Bays to educate young students about our islands and the value of protecting its beauty.

“The local branch of the Bahamas National Trust, are proud to welcome Gail,” said Shamie Rolle, chairman of the Grand Bahama Regional Branch of the BNT. “At the Rand Nature Centre we have been very pleased with the support for our free lecture series. We are pleased to welcome our members, students and the general public to learn more on ecology, oceanography, biology, evolutionary history and other subjects that address local and non-local biodiversity, sustainability and ecology in a scientific presentation.”
The BNT encourages all Grand Bahamians to celebrate Earth Day by joining them at the Rand Nature Centre for this free public lecture, today at 6:30 p.m.
You can learn more about the BNT and the past public lectures on their website at www.bnt.bs. Public lectures are held every 3rd Tuesday of the month, with focus on topics related to the environment.