Andros Conservancy & Trust Bahamas
Encyclopedia
ANCAT is
an environmental nonprofit non-governmental organization
(NGO) dedicated to preserving the natural resources of Andros Island, the Bahamas. Founded in 1999, among its key accomplishment was the 2002 formation of the 286,000 acre Central Andros National Park, in co-operation with the Bahamas National Trust
, a division of the Bahamian government.
According to its Mission Statement, ANCAT’s purpose is to “To protect, preserve, enhance, and restore the natural resources of Andros Island and its marine environment through education, conservation and management for future generations.”
Andros Island is home to the world’s largest collection of Blue Hole
s, and the world’s third largest barrier reef, as well as extensive internationally endangered habitats. It is approximately the size of Puerto Rico
, but has only approximately 8000 residents. Its vast expanses of undeveloped land and low population density (1.31 ::km2 , fewer than one person per three square miles)together with Andros’ unique combination of undisturbed environmental features presents a rare opportunity for environmental preservation. “Hardwood forests abutting expanses of freshwater marshes and globally imperiled pine rockland are prime habitat for migratory songbirds such as the Kirtland's warbler, one of North America's rarest birds. Giant land crabs, the Bahamian woodstar hummingbird, the West Indian whistling-duck and the Northern Bahamian rock iguana, listed as threatened with extinction, can all be found on the island. Acres of palm savanna contain mahogany, Bahamian pine, palmetto, maidenhair ferns and several endemic orchids. The island's blue mahoe an endemic hibiscus, produces beautiful yellow and red blossoms.”
ANCAT is one of only two NGOs in the Bahamas recognized by the United Nations Social and Economic Council which supervises NGOs internationally.
ANCAT is completely funded by grants and donations. Among its partners are the Nature Conservancy, and The Professional Association of Diver Instructors’ (PADI
) Project AWARE
.
ANCAT is presently involved with the expansion of the Andros West Side National Park, and a restoration project of Fresh Creek, the Bahamas’ only fresh water river.
an environmental nonprofit non-governmental organization
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
(NGO) dedicated to preserving the natural resources of Andros Island, the Bahamas. Founded in 1999, among its key accomplishment was the 2002 formation of the 286,000 acre Central Andros National Park, in co-operation with the Bahamas National Trust
Bahamas National Trust
The Bahamas National Trust is a non-profit organisation in the Bahamas that manages the country's twenty-five national parks. Its headquarters is at the located in New Providence at The Retreat Gardens on Village Road...
, a division of the Bahamian government.
According to its Mission Statement, ANCAT’s purpose is to “To protect, preserve, enhance, and restore the natural resources of Andros Island and its marine environment through education, conservation and management for future generations.”
Andros Island is home to the world’s largest collection of Blue Hole
Blue Hole
Blue Hole is a diving location on east Sinai, a few kilometres north of Dahab, Egypt on the coast of the Red Sea.The Blue Hole is a submarine sinkhole , around 130 m deep. There is a shallow opening around 6 m deep, known as 'the saddle', opening out to the sea, and a 26 m long...
s, and the world’s third largest barrier reef, as well as extensive internationally endangered habitats. It is approximately the size of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, but has only approximately 8000 residents. Its vast expanses of undeveloped land and low population density (1.31 ::km2 , fewer than one person per three square miles)together with Andros’ unique combination of undisturbed environmental features presents a rare opportunity for environmental preservation. “Hardwood forests abutting expanses of freshwater marshes and globally imperiled pine rockland are prime habitat for migratory songbirds such as the Kirtland's warbler, one of North America's rarest birds. Giant land crabs, the Bahamian woodstar hummingbird, the West Indian whistling-duck and the Northern Bahamian rock iguana, listed as threatened with extinction, can all be found on the island. Acres of palm savanna contain mahogany, Bahamian pine, palmetto, maidenhair ferns and several endemic orchids. The island's blue mahoe an endemic hibiscus, produces beautiful yellow and red blossoms.”
ANCAT is one of only two NGOs in the Bahamas recognized by the United Nations Social and Economic Council which supervises NGOs internationally.
ANCAT is completely funded by grants and donations. Among its partners are the Nature Conservancy, and The Professional Association of Diver Instructors’ (PADI
Padi
Padi or PADI may refer to:* Padi, Chennai, India* Padi , a musical group* Paddy field, a type of cultivated land * Professional Association of Diving Instructors, a scuba organization...
) Project AWARE
Project AWARE
Project AWARE is a non-profit, worldwide, organization dedicated to "Conserving underwater environments through education, advocacy and action."...
.
ANCAT is presently involved with the expansion of the Andros West Side National Park, and a restoration project of Fresh Creek, the Bahamas’ only fresh water river.