Southeast Rotary and Rotaract Lend a Hand at Harold and Wilson Ponds National Park Recently, the Rotary teams spent valuable hours volunteering with the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) to clear invasive cattails from around the boardwalk at this essential New Providence national park. “Rotary is a great partner for the BNT, they understand the importance in protecting the natural environment, and are always willing to volunteer their time to assist the BNT in our conservation efforts,” said Lynn Gape, Deputy Executive Director at the BNT. (Photo Courtesy of BNT)

Nassau, Bahamas – Rotarians from the South East Nassau club and Rotaract members spent valuable hours volunteering with the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) to clear invasive cattails from around the boardwalk at Harrold and Wilson Ponds National park an important New Providence national park.

“Rotary is a great partner for the BNT, they understand the importance in protecting the natural environment, and are always willing to volunteer their time to assist the BNT in our conservation work ,” said Lynn Gape, Deputy Executive Director at the BNT.

Cattails, though they are visually pleasing, can ruin the visual and recreational benefits of our natural wetlands when they grow out of control. Unfortunately, at the Harold and Wilson Ponds, this is the case, as the cattails have begun to be the dominant vegetation in the wetland area. The BNT is currently working with a number of agencies and experts to establish a management plan that will control the amount of cattails in the ponds.

Rotary Members Help to Remove the Invasive Cattails From the Harold and Wilson Ponds National Park Cattails, though they are visually pleasing, can ruin the visual and recreational benefits of our natural wetlands when they grow out of control. Unfortunately, at the Harold and Wilson Ponds, this was the case, as the cattails had begun to be the dominant vegetation in the wetland area. Peter Goudie, Past President of the Rotary Club of South East Nassau said, “Volunteering to help the BNT fits in perfectly with Rotary’s motto of ‘Service Above Self’! We were really pleased to team up with our Rotaract Club and provide this valuable community service project and help the community to be better able to enjoy natural treasures right here in New Providence.” (Photo courtesy of BNT)

Peter Goudie, Past President of the Rotary Club of South East Nassau said, “Volunteering to help the BNT fits in perfectly with Rotary’s motto of ‘Service Above Self’! We were really pleased to team up with our Rotaract Club and provide this valuable community service project and help the community to be better able to enjoy natural treasures right here in New Providence.”

Harold and Wilson Ponds National Park, which is located in the central part of Southern New Providence – off of Sir Milo Butler Highway and Fire Trail Road – was established in 2002 and is open seven days a week 9am – 5pm, and is free to the public. Since its establishment the BNT has implemented proper signage, boardwalks and covered viewing decks at the park. This park in particular is very popular for field trips to teach students about the importance of freshwater wetlands. For more information about Harold and Wilson Ponds National Park, visit The Bahamas National Trust website at www.bnt.bs.