After years of dedicated service and visionary leadership, Mr. Glenn Bannister has officially stepped down as Chair of the Board of the Bahamas Protected Areas Fund (BPAF), leaving behind a legacy that has helped shape the future of conservation financing in The Bahamas.

Throughout his tenure, Mr. Bannister championed initiatives that strengthened the protection of the country’s natural resources while ensuring that conservation efforts would continue to benefit generations of Bahamians. Under his leadership, BPAF advanced its ‘Protecting the Gold of Our Natural Resources’ campaign, reinforcing the critical role that healthy ecosystems play in supporting the nation’s economy, communities and way of life.

One of the defining milestones of his chairmanship was helping guide the implementation of the Bahamas Dept Conversion Project for Marine Conservation, which is the largest marine conservation financing initiative in the country’s history. The programme established a sustainable funding mechanism that will strengthen marine protection and support local conservation efforts for years to come.

Mr. Bannister was also a strong advocate for ensuring that the first marine conservation reached the Bahamians working closest to the country’s marine and coastal ecosystems. He held to the belief that local communities, conservation practitioners and environmental organizations are at the forefront of protecting our natural ecosystems and should be empowered to lead that work.

Beyond BPAF, Mr. Bannister has dedicated decades of service to environmental stewardship throughout The Bahamas. He served six terms as President of the Bahamas National Trust, was the Founding Chairman of the Inagua Development Association and serves on the Board of the Bahamas Reef Environmental Educational Foundation. Throughout his career, he has consistently advanced conservation, sustainable development and responsible environmental leadership.

As Mr. Bannister passes the baton to Mr. Marcus Cheetham, who assumed the role of Chair on July 1, 2026, BPAF extends its sincere gratitude for his outstanding service and lasting contributions to protecting the natural treasures of The Bahamas. His leadership has left an enduring legacy that will continue to guide the organization for years to come.

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