Protecting Nature, Empowering People: OEF Unveils the Bird’s Eye View Birding & Nature Trail

A Bird’s Eye View:

OEF Gets Ready To Launch New Birding & Nature Trail

Eleuthera’s forests are alive with biodiversity, history, and stories waiting to be told. OEF is on the final stretch and proudly preparing to open its newest eco-tourism and conservation initiative.

Located within the lush Coppice Forest at the CTI Campus in Rock Sound. This new feature is rich in native plants, migratory species, and wildlife. The trail is designed to serve as both a sanctuary and an outdoor classroom, preserving natural habitats while unlocking new livelihood opportunities for Eleutherans through ecotourism and avitourism.

A Sanctuary for Birds, Biodiversity & Local Heritage

Coppice Forests are among The Bahamas’ most ecologically significant landscapes. On this trail, visitors can explore a thriving ecosystem filled with native and medicinal plants, wildlife, and over 101 species of trees and shrubs documented through OEF’s recent ecological and botanical surveys.

Thanks to generous support from the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) and the American Bird Conservancy (ABC), the Bird’s Eye View Trail will introduce nature enthusiasts to Eleuthera’s diverse bird populations, including migratory and endangered species that travel thousands of miles each year to winter in The Bahamas.

Among them is the Kirtland’s Warbler (KW). Once on the brink of extinction with numbers falling below 200 in the 1970s, today, conservation efforts have helped the species rebound to more than 2,300 birds globally, with The Bahamas serving as its primary wintering ground. Eleuthera’s natural habitats and local, cultivated spaces like this one are playing a vital role in the local and global recovery efforts, aiding the Kirtlands Warbler.

To further support these efforts, The Farm at CTI is cultivating native White Sage and Black Torch plants, essential food sources for the Kirtland’s Warbler, which will be added to the trail to strengthen its habitat.

Eco-Tourism That Diversifies Local Income

The Bird’s Eye View Nature Trail is more than a conservation project; it is a livelihood generator for Eleutherans. As global interest in avi-tourism rises, this trail positions the island as a destination for birdwatchers, nature lovers, and eco-tourists seeking immersive outdoor experiences.

Free eco-tour and bird guide training has already begun through CTI, equipping local residents with skills in species identification, interpretive guiding, conservation principles, and visitor engagement. These skills create new employment opportunities and diversify income streams beyond traditional tourism.

Educational programs connected to the trail will introduce students to environmental stewardship, local biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable tourism. Hands-on learning experiences will encourage young people to appreciate Eleuthera’s natural heritage and understand their responsibility in protecting its fragile ecosystems.

Donors Fuel Conservation & Community Resilience

This trail stands as a testament to what donor support makes possible — safeguarding threatened species, restoring native habitats, and creating economic opportunities aligned with sustainability.

With continued investment, OEF will expand conservation efforts, train more eco-tour guides, and strengthen Eleuthera’s growing reputation as a leader in community-driven environmental stewardship.