Waterkeeper Alliance, known as the voice of the world's waters with organisations and volunteers in 37 countries, announced its first partnership with The Bahamas today -- minutes after divers emerged from inspecting reefs off the southwest coast with news that the partnership was needed even more than anticipated.

Waterkeeper Alliance President Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced the partnership less than half an hour after he and other environmentalists dove reefs off western New Providence near BEC that he said once held "the most beautiful elk horn coral in the world -- the site of movies like Flipper and the James Bond movies, breathtaking reefs full of life."

Foreign visitors arriving in the U.S. who are required to prove their legal-visitor status to employers, schools/universities or government agencies will soon no longer be required to fill out a paper U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Arrival/Departure Record Form -- known as the I-94 -- upon arrival to the U.S. and will be able to access their arrival/departure record information online through CBP's new records automation system.

CBP will phase-in the I-94 Form automation at air and sea ports of entry across the U.S. and in The Bahamas between April 30 and May 21.

This month, Bahamians will join millions around the world to raise awareness for lupus. Nassau-based support group, Lupus 242, is leading the way with events planned to educate locals about the debilitating disease affecting many living in the country.

An estimated 5.5 million persons globally live with the chronic autoimmune disease brought on by genetics, environment and hormonal imbalances in the body. Common symptoms include debilitating pain, fatigue and unexplained flare-ups impacting random parts of the body especially internal organs.

Relatively unknown to many Bahamians are the many natural wonders of which our country can boast and which Bahamas National Trust (BNT) is mandated to preserve and protect. One such marvel that BNT has dedicated history-making efforts to save is the Kirtland's Warbler. This rare and endangered songbird annually migrates from Michigan in the United States to The Bahamas, where it spends seven months out of the year.

"The Bahamas are absolutely crucial to the survival of the Kirtland's Warblers," said Joe Wunderle, Research Wildlife biologist who joined the programme near its inception.

Changing behaviours and attitudes through ownership in environmental pride one community at a time is a purpose of the Bahamas National Pride Association (BNPA). The Tall Pines Constituency became the first community to have a BNPA Community Orchard that would foster sharing the responsibility of "taking care of the vineyard", so the soil that yields fruits and vegetables is not wasted and cursed.

BNPA's Chairman, Olvin Rees said the organisation expects the indigenous Orchards will galvanise communities to bond in keeping the neighbourhoods clean, secure evidence of indigenous cultural produce, as well as promote environmental well being.

The monthly meeting of Civil Society Bahamas was held on Thursday, 18th April, 2013. Rev. Dr. C.B. Moss, Chairman of The Coalition to Save Clifton, made a presentation on the Simms Point/Nygard Cay application to The Bahamas Government. The presentation was very pointed and informative. It provided enlightenment as to the focus of The Coalition to Save Clifton initiative and its historical representation of the need for a Land and Sea Park to be established at the Clifton site.

The facts of prior issues and decisions relative to Clifton Cay were shared and members of Civil Society Bahamas were encouraged to review the critical information represented in the media.

Baha Mar sponsored and participated in the 6th annual IBS Build-A-Bridge Challenge thattook place at the College of The Bahamas Performing Arts Centre on April 25. Teams from 20 schools throughout The Bahamas competed, building bridges made of Popsicle sticks and Elmer's glue to create the lightest structure that bears the heaviest load before breaking.

The Challenge was started by Bahamian engineering company Integrated Building Services (IBS) to increase interest in the applied sciences and to teach soft skills such as teamwork.

Enjoying the cools breezes and the view of ships sailing by, members of the business community came out to Señor Frog's for the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce's monthly Mix n Mingle last Thursday.

Señor Frog's, capitalizing on its incredible success in Nassau, opened in Freeport late last year and has rapidly grown to be one of the most popular restaurant venue at the Lucayan Harbour. "We were thrilled to be asked by the Chamber to host the first M&M for 2013," said Arturo Salas, Señor Frog's Bahamas. "We have had a wonderful reception here in Grand Bahama from everyone!"

The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) is pleased to lend its continued support in the form of a financial donation to The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Programme. Introduced in 1997, the event is a premier national awards recognition programme for 6th graders in The Bahamas.

At the outset, 31 students representing all New Providence schools were recognized. In 2012, 112 students representing 14 islands assembled to compete for the coveted title of 'National Primary School Student of the Year'.

VMI and Giant Impact will be hosting in Grand Bahama the Chick-Fil-A Leadercast 2013. Community business leaders can access the knowledge and experience of world renowned leaders by attending the Chick-fil-A Leadercast at the Ruby Swiss Restaurant on Friday May 10, 2013, at 9 am.

The Chick-Fil-A Leadercast is a one-day leadership training event broadcast LIVE from Atlanta, GA to hundreds of host sites throughout the United States and around the world, including the Bahamas.

More than 200 of the region's most prominent shipping executives will converge on Grand Bahama Island next month, for the 12th annual Caribbean Shipping Association Conference. The event is slated for May 12th- 15th at the Grand Lucayan Resort, and is expected to attract decision makers from some of the biggest names in the industry, from Europe, North America, Latin America and the Caribbean region.

This year's event is hosted by the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA) in partnership with the Freeport Harbour Company (FHC) and The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA).

Thanks to everyone who supported our Car & Dog Wash & No Fleas Market last Saturday! We were thrilled to have a plethora of volunteers - a group of Ross University students, and 20 police cadets came out to help, which meant that in addition to the paying customers, almost every puppy in the shelter got a nice bath!

Big thanks also to Madeleine Buzzi (pictured) who makes amazing tote bags out of recycled materials. To our delight and surprise on Saturday, she brought us a lovely donation of the proceeds of the bag sales!

Birth is a normal, natural, safe and healthy event. On average, 80%-85% of pregnant women are low-risk both through their prenatal months and during the process of birth. The World Health Organization (WHO), the global public health arm of the United Nations, defines normal birth as "spontaneous in onset, low-risk at the start of labor and remaining so throughout labor and delivery. The infant is born spontaneously in the vertex (head first) position between 37 and 42 completed weeks of pregnancy. After birth the mother and infant are in good condition." (WHO, 1996, p. 4).

In the late 1990s, concerned about the increasing labor inducing (forcing), augmenting (stimulating), managing (controlling) and monitoring (interpreting) of the physiological processes of labor with less than optimal outcomes, the WHO convened a meeting of childbearing experts from the WHO global regions worldwide.

Crossing Rocks Primary School students sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", during the recent E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Abaco Adjudications in Crossing Rocks, Abaco.

Central Abaco students also had their moment to shine with musical pieces.

Bahamian angler, Sandy Roberts' three blue marlin releases on day two of the Guana Cay Championship propelled Team Pandemonium into the tournament lead.

The Treasure Cay, Abaco based team added another blue marlin release on day four to insure owner Kim Kuhnle a clear victory at the opening tournament of the Bahamas Billfish Championship's 40th anniversary season.

Students and teachers from the Agape Christian School in Abaco pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie at the Office of The Prime Minister Sir Cecil Wallace-Whitfield Centre West Bay Street, Nassau, on Monday, April 29, 2013.

(BIS photo/Peter Ramsay)

Hundreds are expected to attend Radio One's annual One Love Getaway in Nassau, Bahamas from May 2 to May 5 at the Atlantis Resort, with scores of stars in the gospel music world set to headline the event.

The One Love Gospel franchise is the premier and largest gospel event that brings together the biggest and brightest personalities from the gospel world for an inspirational and uplifting experience that transcends souls. The event is expected to be a boon to the country's religious tourism market and assists The Bahamas' efforts to be the lead destination for such events going forward.

Celebrate local student art during the "Art of Warriors" - a evening of fine art organized by the Bishop Michael Eldon School's PTA on Saturday, May 4, 2013, at the BMES Auditorium, Freeport.

In its second year, the "Art of Warriors" highlights the artistic capabilities of students from Nursery to Grade 12. These young, talented artists have submitted their masterpieces into the competition with final viewing and critique to be performed by selected local artists. The categories include digital art, painting, drawing, technical drawing, photography and arts & crafts and prizes are awarded by grade level.

Ragged Island All Age School students show their talent for drama in an original skit written by resident and mother of one of the students Juliet Cartaya-Ochoa, during the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Ragged Island Adjudications, on April 29, 2013.

(BIS Photos / Eric Rose)

Next weekend, 11th and 12th May, the Freeport Rugby Club will be holding their 3rd Annual Junior Rugby International Tournament. Teams from the ages of 8 to 16 are coming from The Cayman Islands and Key Biscayne, Florida to play with the teams in Freeport.

Every year the Cayman teams come and this year they will bring their largest group ever of one hundred and twenty players, coaches and supporters! They have actually chartered their own jet to get here. Key Biscayne are also bringing one hundred and twenty people down to visit the Bahamas with seventy-five kids ready to play hard for their club, The KB Rugby Rats.

Everyone is excited - The start of the first series race in Class C. Thursday, April 25, during the 60th National Family Island Regatta, George Town, Exuma.

(BIS photos by Patrick Hanna)

On April 27th 2013, members of the Nassau, Bahamas' National Pan-Hellenic Alumni Council gathered at Arawak Cay for the 1st Annual NPHC Fun, Run, Walk. Members of the historically black greek letter organizations along with family, friends and supporters gathered to promote healthy lifestyles and wellness.

Over one-hundred (100) participants of various age groups took to the West Bay Street to Goodman's Bay route with much excitement as they walked in unity and for better health.

"The hill was massive and very discouraging," said Cameron Roach, after claiming the overall title in his first Pineappleman Sprint Triathlon last year. Roach, from New Providence, returns this year to tackle a new course that includes a longer bicycle leg but less encounters with 'The Hill'.

His wife and 2012 women's champ, Lori Feingold-Roach, is also set to defend her title and a small contingent from Freeport are also signed up for the June 8 event. As well as the course change, a new student division and post-race party highlight the 2013 version of the triathlon, part of the annual Pineapple Festival.

The CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship is set to be held for the first time in the Bahamas, May 8-12. "The widespread interest in this tournament provides confirmation of the growth of beach soccer throughout the Confederation, contributing to the strengthening of our sport across disciplines," said President Webb.

Nations competing for the chance to represent CONCACAF in this year's FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Papeete, Tahiti, include host nation the Bahamas and 2011 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup semifinalist El Salvador, as well as defending CONCACAF champion Mexico.