WHEREAS, approximately 80% and 20%, respecUvely, of the substantial natural forestry resources of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, which include pine forests, coppice, hardwoods and mangrove forests, are located on Crown Lands and privately owned lands;

    AND WHEREAS, the Forestry Act of 2010 facilitated the establishment of the Forestry Unit that is presently located in the Ministry of the Environment and Housing (MOEH), for the purpose of further developing the forest resources of The Bahamas lo their maximum potential, which also includes the training of competent forest officers, the application of sound, scientific forest management, and the application of principles and concepts that promote sustainable yield;

    AND WHEREAS, the Forestry Unit of MOEH has been engaged in numerous projects, inclusive of a two-year  Food and Agriculture Organization funded Technical Cooperation Programme entiUed, 'Forestry Management Pilot and Training in Abaco,• which is a joint partnership designed to train Bahamians in a variety of important forestry management techniques to produce high yield and quality product on a sustainable basis;

    ANDWHEREAS, the Forestry Unit is also engaged in a four-year Global Environment Facility Full-Sized Project Related to the Land Degradation Focal Area Strategy entitled, 'Pine Islands - ForesVMangrove Innovation and Integration' on the islands of Grand Bahama, New Providence, Abaco and Andros, which aims to build on recent advancements in forestry by integrating biodiversity and ecosystems values and precepts of sustainable forest management into enhanced land use planning in The Bahamas through three components: namely, capacity building in forest assessment and monitoring,establishment of the National Forest Estate,and improving sustainable livelihoods;

    AND WHEREAS, in addition to working with notable sustainable forestry partners, such as the Department of Environmental Health Services and the Bahamas Environment Science and Technology Commission,the Forestry Unit has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with The Bahamas National Trust and Friends of The Environment for the purpose of facilitating a collaborative approach to natural resource management;

    AND WHEREAS, annually since 1971, March 21s1, the date of the autumnal equinox and the vernal equinox in the Southern Hemisphere and in the Northern Hemisphere, respecUvely, has been observed as International World Forestry Day, in commemoration of which a schedule of activities and events are planned for the purpose of increasing public awareness about the values, significance and contributions of forests to all life forms;

    NOW, THEREFORE, I,Perry G. ChrisUe, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, do hereby proclaim the period 18111 -24111 March as "FORESTRY AWARENESS WEEK" and Monday 21st March,2016 as WORLD FORESTRY DAY/INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FORESTS IN THE BAHAMAS."

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Ihave

hereunto set my Hand and Seal

this   1 day of February, 2016.

PERRY G. CHRISTIE PRIME MINISTER