The third season of operations for the Captain Roland Roberts House Environmental Center in New Plymouth will kick off with a holiday reception on Friday, December 17, 2004. There will be an open house during the day, with families especially invited to visit the center, enjoy the holiday decorations and refreshments, and learn about coral reefs. A reception is planned for Friday evening from 7-9 pm, featuring a silent auction to benefit environmental programs at this public facility.

The Captain Roland Roberts House Environmental Center is operated by Reef Relief with the help of local and visiting docents who volunteer their time to give tours of the center to visitors. If you are interested in getting involved, contact us.

The center features a video classroom, displays on coral reefs, mangroves and seagrasses, a children's activity room with information on endangered sea turtles, a library with displays on Reef Relief's Green Turtle Cay Reef Mooring Buoy Program, Coral Nursery and Coral Survey. Free brochures and information, including a Bahama's Coral Reef Guide for Kids of All Ages and a Green Turtle Cay Reef Mooring Buoys chart showing the locations of reef mooring buoys and how to use them, is available. Stunning images of coral reefs line the walls from the ongoing Coral Survey by Reef Relief founder and Director of Marine Projects Craig Quirolo.

The house itself was historically restored to its original 1840's condition through the efforts of the Architectural Preservation Foundation, which leases the house to Reef Relief.?The two story building features classic Bahamian architecture, is constructed of Abaco pine, and includes full front and rear upstairs and downstairs balconies.?The center was closed during hurricane season, when the fruit trees in the yard were damaged. Plans for the coming year include creation of a garden in the large rear yard.

So plan to attend the grand opening next Friday or stop by the Captain Roland Roberts House Environmental Center the next time you are in Green Turtle Cay, in the Abacos, Bahamas.

A few pictures past events: