Our Work in The Bahamas
The Bahamas, with its captivating archipelago of over 700 islands and cays, boasts a remarkable tapestry of biodiversity. Its size, unique geological history, and isolation have fostered the development of a wealth of ecosystems, making it a vital ecological hotspot in the Caribbean.
CBF actively invests in projects that contribute to the following key areas in The Bahamas:
Sustainable Management of Marine Parks
The CBF supports initiatives that enhance the effective management of marine parks, ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of these vital resources.
Hurricane Resilience
The Bahamas is particularly vulnerable to hurricanes. The CBF provides critical hurricane recovery grants to assist in the restoration and protection of vital ecosystems following storms.
Strengthen Community Linkages
The CBF supports initiatives that foster collaboration and knowledge sharing between conservation organizations and local communities.
Recent Projects in The Bahamas
Key Achievements in The Bahamas
Through collaborative efforts, The Bahamas has made significant strides in establishing a robust network of protected areas, safeguarding its diverse ecosystems for the future. This section details the impressive achievements in creating:
This landmark initiative created a dedicated funding stream, ensuring the long-term sustainability of conservation efforts across The Bahamas. The Bahamas Protected Areas Fund (BPAF) provides a reliable source of financial resources for managing protected areas, safeguarding critical habitats for future generations.
This agreement formalizes our ongoing collaboration and strengthens our commitment to supporting conservation in The Bahamas. By working together under a formalized framework, the CBF and The Bahamas can ensure a more coordinated and impactful approach to conservation challenges.
The objective for this Grant was to support recovery in areas of conservation after Hurricane Dorian that made landfall in September 2019 in the Bahamas
The CBF's dedicated financial resources support a range of vital conservation projects in The Bahamas. These funds have been instrumental in supporting initiatives such as hurricane recovery efforts in protected areas, strengthening marine park management, and fostering community-based conservation programs.
Strengthening Ecosystem Recovery and Climate Resilience in The Bahamas
- 240 cubic yards of hurricane debris—including trees, boat parts, and household waste—were removed, clearing the way for ecosystem recovery.
- Mangrove surveys at 27 sites across Grand Bahama and Abaco mapped 5,300 acres, revealing hurricane-related losses of 22% in Grand Bahama and 14% in Abaco.
- Over 20,000 mangroves were planted across 100 acres, restoring coastal protection and carbon sequestration capacity.
- Invasive plant species were removed from Sandy Cay (3.7 acres) and the island of Abaco, supporting native biodiversity.
- Over 22,600 acres within six National Parks in Abaco benefited from improved park management practices.
- A 16kW solar and battery energy system was installed at a Marsh Harbour high school, reducing emissions by 24,162 kg/year and supporting reliable energy access post-Hurricane Dorian.
- 60 Pigeon Plum trees were planted with Sanitation Services Ltd to enhance carbon sequestration efforts.
- 247 acres in east Grand Bahama were designated for permanent research plots to monitor pine forest regeneration, supported by a new native plant nursery at the University of The Bahamas campus.
- Robust capacity building initiatives covered mangrove restoration, climate resilience, renewable energy, gender equality, biodiversity monitoring, and more.
- Broad collaborations were forged with local, regional, and international partners, including Coral Vita, Save The Bays, Earthcare, the University of The Bahamas, and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Rangers, among many others.
Extensive Network of Protected Areas
These protected areas safeguard a significant portion of The Bahamas' diverse terrestrial ecosystems.
These areas play a vital role in protecting crucial marine habitats like coral reefs and seagrass meadows.
A significant percentage of The Bahamas' terrestrial areas (4,930 km2) are under formal protection.
A substantial portion of The Bahamas' marine environment (47,355 km2) benefits from protection.
Local Partnership in The Bahamas
