Commander Defence Force, Commodore Raymond King met with members of the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) on Monday June 27, 2022 to discuss matters of mutual interest between both organizations.The Bahamas National Trust is a non-profit, non-government, science-based organization dedicated to effectively managing national parks to conserve and protect bahamian natural resources. Since 2002 the national park system has grown to approximately 32 parks covering almost two million acres . The history of the organization dates back to the early 1950’s, when a foreigner by the name of Ilya Tolstoy brought together a group of concerned forward-thinking Bahamians and North American conservationists who realized that the Exuma chains was under threat by developers and they were determined to save it.This memorandum of understanding (MOU) aims to strengthen the relationship between the Bahamas National Trust and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force on a larger scale; by developing training programs and educating local fishermen about environmental awareness. This memorandum also entails responsibilities and objectives beneficial to both organizations. In addition to this, the Bahamas National Trust is seeking to improve its facilities throughout the country.Also in attendance was was Deputy Commander Defence Force, Captain Shonedel Pinder, Executive Staff Officer, Captain Henry Daxon, Staff Officer Of Legal Affairs , Captain Shawn Adderly, President, Mr. Geoff Andrews, Executive Director, Mr. Eric Carey, Director of Parks, Ms. Lakesha Anderson-Rolle, Chief Warden, Mr. David Knowles, Parks Planner and New Providence Parks Manager, Ms. Chantal Curtis, Special Projects Consultant, Ms. Lynn Gape and Web Graphics Officer, Ms. Zaria Dean.To conclude their informative meeting, both the President and Executive Director of The Bahamas National Trust expressed their gratitude towards Commodore King for the high performance level of the members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force in the conservation of the country’s national parks. Commodore King reassured them that the Royal Bahamas Defence Force remains committed to its mandate and guarding our heritage.
