2014 FRIENDS re-cap

Motor found in the bush of Abaco.
During the International Coastal Cleanup, five outboards were found in the bush in Cherokee Sound. PHOTO CREDIT: Mrs. Jo-Ann Bradley.

By: Olivia Patterson

FRIENDS would like to take this time to thank all of you for your support over the last year. We continue to follow our mission of preserving and protecting Abaco’s marine and terrestrial resources to achieve sustainable living for the wildlife and people of Abaco, Bahamas. As a developing island, Abaco faces many challenges; we choose to proactively face those challenges through environmental education and community projects.

To give you an idea of the impact we (that includes you) have had over the last year, take a look at the following numbers.

In 2014, FRIENDS’ Environmental Education program served 21 schools, 285 teachers and parents, and gave 55 school presentations and 47 field trips to 2,350 students!

FRIENDS partnered with community groups to keep our coasts clean as part of International Coastal Cleanup month (ICC). ICC is held annually in September, however, Abaco communities extended their cleanup efforts into November. Results are still coming in, but we already have some amazing numbers to report. Over 298 people cleaned 11.5 miles of coast and vegetation picking up 83 bags of trash, which works out to approximately 1,455 pounds! Some of the most unique items found were outboard engines, a suitcase, a pair of high heels, and hair extensions. Data collected during the cleanups helps us identify area-specific issues and target them with our conservation and education programs. For example, plastic bags have come up as the most frequently collected item in past cleanups, which prompted FRIENDS to begin a campaign to promote reusable shopping bags.

FRIENDS is undertaking an exciting new step in our growth by building a new conservation, research, and education center. This 3,600 square foot building will house a classroom, lab, and small dormitory which will accommodate research groups and local high schools for technical courses. The center is complimented by a 60-panel solar array sponsored by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which will provide electricity for the building and act as a demonstration site for people wishing to learn more about solar energy and sustainable building.

We are very proud of all of these numbers. There is another number that is just as important – our membership. FRIENDS currently has 400 active members, and a network of over 2,000 people who we connect with through our monthly emails and social media. You can help these numbers grow. Consider sharing our news with your friends and family and encourage them to become members of FRIENDS. Together we can do so much more!

 Friends of the Environment is a non-profit environmental organizations devoted to preserving Abaco’s fragile environment and working towards a more sustainable future. For more information, visit www.friendsoftheenvironment.org, call (242) 367-2721 or email info@friendsoftheenvironment.org.