Friends of the Environment

About us

Friends of the Environment (aka FRIENDS) is a Bahamian non-profit organization that was established in 1988 by a group of four Hope Town residents. Suzanne Bethel, Candace Key, Rudy Malone and Frank Kenyon were concerned about the unsustainable use of Abaco's natural resources; the organization was developed out of their desire to help. FRIENDS operated as an all volunteer group for many years with committee and Board meetings often being held at the Hope Town Harbour Lodge or Abaco Inn. FRIENDS was known for coordinating community cleanups, hosting plant sales, and advocating for change at a time when The Bahamas was facing wild dolphin capture, cruise ship dumping, and long-line fishing, among other issues. Many of FRIENDS' projects incorporated the participation of youth as Candace Key was a teacher, then principal, at Hope Town School (and Suzanne Bethel a former teacher).