Friends of the Environment E-Newsletter
Established in 1988 November 2016
Save the Date
 
December 2-4, 2016
Hope Town Music Festival

February 4, 2017
Hope Town Reef Ball

February 11, 2017
Marsh Harbour Reef Ball 


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The holiday season is upon us and we at FRIENDS are so grateful for all of you who make our work possible. We are so proud of what this organization has accomplished and none of it would be possible without the support of our members, donors and volunteers. I hope you are as proud as we are as you read through these monthly newsletters, together we are making a difference for Abaco's future! 

Thank you for your continued support!

Kristin Williams
Executive Director
November Education: Abaco Science Fair!
Students from Amy Roberts Primary congratulating students from Hope Town Primary on their first place win. Amy Roberts took home 2nd place in the upper primary division.

We are so proud of the efforts of Abaco students and teachers to investigate challenges and solutions for waste management in The Bahamas. The projects this year were so impressive that there was a tie in one of the categories and several projects were within a point of each other. Out of the 12 schools participating, 10 placed. The students put so much effort into their projects and came up with real solutions to this very important issue we face as an island nation. Check out our Facebook page for more exciting photos. 
 A sincere thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible:

Disney's Animal, Environment and Science 


2016 Science Fair Winners


Lower Primary (Grades 1-3) Upper Primary (Grades 4-6) Junior High
(Grades 7-9)		 Senior High
(Grades 10-12)
1st Hope Town Primary Hope Town Primary Abaco Central High Long Bay School
2nd Angel's Academy  Amy Roberts Primary Forest Heights Academy  Abaco Central High
3rd Treasure Cay Primary Man O War Primary Agape Christian School  Forest Heights Academy 



The Kenyon Centre: 
Outdoor Classroom 


Thanks to the support of the United Nations Development Programme's Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme FRIENDS was able to install a concrete floor under the solar array to help create an outdoor classroom. The classroom space will be used by our after school clubs, visiting researchers and school groups. We are also working on completing the Bush Medicine, Pollinating and Edible gardens. 

Enjoying our Environment in Support of the Environment:
Kayak Challenge and Turtle Trot update
 
 

Abaco Kayak Challenge - Paddling for a Cause!
The Kayak Challenge was awesome! 34 people made the trek to Little Harbour in the early morning hours to get started on a paddle through Bight of Old Robinson. The Bight is one of three creek systems included in the East Abaco Creeks National Park. FRIENDS and the Abaco Cancer Society joined hands to host the event. All proceeds will support Abaco communities through the programs of both organizations. Sponsors included: Pete's Pub, L.C. Hull & Co., Abaco Petroleum Company, Abaco Family Medicine, The Blackly Lodge, Abaco Construction Ltd., Marsh Harbour Exporters and Importers. 



Hope Town Turtle Trot 5k Fun Run/Walk


This year's Turtle Trot had over 100 participants, the largest turnout to date! Thank you to all of our participants and volunteers and a big thank you to our sponsors: Hope Town Harbour Lodge, HG Christie, The Abaco Inn, Elbow Cay Properties, Abaco Family Medicine, Hope Town Hideaways, Hope Town Inn and Marina. 
 
2016 Winners: 
 Top Male, Sam Pictor - 19:09, 6:10 pace
Top Female, Claire Pictor - 26:14, 8:27 pace

Third Annual Hope Town Music Festival!




Collectively these visiting song writers have written over 80 #1 single hit songs performed by top artists including: Luke Bryan, Brett Eldredge, Carrie Underwood, Randy Houser, Keith Urban, Rascall Flatts, Florida Georgia Line, Kelly Clarkson, Dierks Bentley, Trace Adkins, and more.  These amazing song writers have won awards from ASCAP Songwriter of the Year to Grammys. An eclectic group of song writers all in Hope Town at the same time. You won't want to miss these shows!

Friday Dec 2, 8pm - Hope Town Harbour Lodge  
Saturday Dec 3, 8pm - Harbours Edge
Sunday Dec 4,  1pm - Abaco Inn &
8pm - Hope Town Inn and Marina 

Albury's Ferry Weekend Schedule  
Marsh Harbour to Hope Town - 5:45pm
Hope Town to Marsh Harbour - 10:30pm
$30 round trip, or use of frequent travel tickets


Proceeds support Every Child Counts, Friends of the Environment, and the Hope Town Volunteer Fire Rescue.
National Geographic Expedition 

Project Partners: Antiquities, Monuments & Museums Corporation, Friends of the Environment, The Bahamas Forestry Unit, University of Miami, The Bahamas National Trust, Bahamas Caves Research Foundation, Pete's Pub, Rental Wheels, North Rock Water, and Abaco Imaging. 
Next week an international team of explorers and scientists will be staying at The Kenyon Centre as part of another National Geographic Expedition on Abaco. 

The primary focus of the expedition is to produce a comprehensive map that will document the underwater passageways and areas of significance such as key paleontological finds and biodiversity hot spots. These maps will aid in the development of an interpretive trail through the recently designated Abaco Blue Hole Protected Area.

This expedition is placing a lot of emphasis on outreach and over 100 local Abaco students will be able to participate in on site actives and hear from the explorers themselves.

 There will be 2 live presentations broadcasted from the site on December 7th & 8th. You'll have the option to watch them live or on youtube at a later date. If you missed the first online presentation you can watch the link below: 



Abaco's Environment in Photos :
We need your help! 



  This is a non-native adult male Green Iguana that was spotted a beach between Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay. These animals can become highly invasive. For example, a major control effort was  recently  undertaken in Cat Cay where thousands of iguanas were removed! There are reproducing populations of Green Iguanas in the Berry Islands (Great and Little Stirrup Cays) and on Cat Cay in the Bimini chain. The founders were all illegal introductions and the populations are exploding out of control causing great concern. If you see this animal please  contact  us immediately at 367-2721.