The Bahamas National Trust is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that manages all (32) of the National Parks in The Bahamas. We were established in 1959 due the concerns of conservationists who realized that resources on two of our islands were being exploited. The first park that was established was the Exuma Cays Land and Seas Park, the first of its kind in the world. This park was developed to protect the Exumas from exploitation from developers and to preserve the marine life in the area. The Inagua National Park soon followed and was established to protect the declining populations of West Indian Flamingos on that island. The Inagua National Park is now home to the largest breeding colony of West Indian Flamingos in the World. Other notable parks include the North and South Marine Parks on Andros, which is home to the Andros Barrier reef – the 3rd largest barrier reef in the world. The Abaco National Park, which is home to the Abaco Parrot, and endemic Bahamian bird. The Lucayan National Park, which is found on Grand Bahama, has all of the main vegetative zones found in The Bahamas in one park as well as the longest chartered underwater cave system in the world. The Conception Island National Park, the only place in the world where the Conception Island Silver Boa Constrictor can be found.

Along with

National Park Management, our organization also focuses on Environmental Education and Environmental stewardship. Our Education Team manages multiple education programs like National Park Experiences, Discovery Club and EcoCamp. Our National Park Experience allows visitors to explore our parks in person and now, virtually. Discovery Club is our after school program that targets school students ages 5 – 18. This program helps students to learn more about their environment, national parks and how to become better environmental stewards through hands on learning and place based experiences. Our EcoCamp allows 40 Bahamian high school students from all around our archipelago to participate in a fully funded, 10 day, overnight camp experience on Andros each year. EcoCamp focuses on in place based learning and helps develop science skills and camping skilling all while interacting with new people in a new environment.

As a non-governmental and non-profit organization, we depend heavily on donors for funding our programs as well as staff salaries. Due to hurricanes and now the COVID-19 pandemic, we have struggled to keep our doors open. However, as the only National Park managers in the country, we understand our importance and we are dedicated to carrying out our duties. For more information on the Bahamas National Trust, please visit us at www.bnt.bs.