BREEF brings island educators together for environmental workshop

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Under the theme “reducing environmental pollution in The Bahamas”, the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) hosted 40 educators in December from around the archipelago for an in-person (and in-water) Eco-Schools Bahamas Coordinators workshop.

The workshop theme was “Reducing Environmental Pollution in The Bahamas” and was supported by one of the first grants made by the newly established Sean Connery Foundation.

The first day of the two-day workshop was held at the New Providence Community Centre and brought together educators, partners, and speakers from Abaco, Andros, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Exuma, and New Providence for to improve and expand their respective programs designed to inspire students toward excellence in environmental stewardship.

“Every year, the Eco-Schools Bahamas network jumpstarts the new academic year of student-led environmental activities by coming together to share, learn and develop strategies to engage students in fun-filled actions to protect our Bahamian ecosystems,” said Kevin Glinton.

“After two years of virtual meeting, we finally met in-person. I am truly thankful to all who attended especially, the many new coordinators and schools from the Family Islands and New Providence interested in joining the Eco-Schools Bahamas programme.”

BREEF’s Eco-Schools Bahamas programme is part of the largest global sustainable student-led school initiative, with Eco-Schools in over 70 countries. Currently, The Bahamas’ network consists of 40 schools spread over six islands with a student population totalling more than 17,672 children.  BREEF has been running the Eco-Schools Bahamas programme since 2009.

“With the support of the Connery Foundation, BREEF brought educators from around the Bahamian archipelago together to help inspire students toward excellence in environmental stewardship and ocean literacy, and to expand the Eco-Schools programme to more schools,” said BREEF Executive Director Casuarina McKinney-Lambert.

“The 2022 Eco-Schools Bahamas Coordinators Workshop was a worthwhile and encouraging experience. It was an honor to be present at such an eco-friendly event with information and goals that are aligned with the needs of our school,” said Johnette Ferguson-Morris, coordinator at C. R. Walker Senior High School.

Vernelle L. Carey, Master Teacher at Abaco’s Every Child Counts school thoughts were similarly positive: “The workshop was such an educational and information-filled day, I wished all our teachers could experience the event. It is a rare occasion when every presenter gives a topical and thought-provoking presentation. Then the icing on the cake and absolute highlight for me was the snorkeling session at Saunders Beach.

The BREEF utreach team greeted me with such confidence, I had no qualms about it being my first formal snorkelling experience. Even the rainy weather and murky waters couldn’t dampen my delight and sense of accomplishment. Thanks to the BREEF team for an exceptionally informative, thought-provoking, fun-packed two days.”

The keynote address was given by Mr. Arana Pyfrom, Senior Environmental Officer at the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection. Other guest speakers included representatives from the New Providence Ecology Park, the Bahamas Wildlife Enforcement Network, Keep Grand Bahama Clean and Family Medical Centre. The workshop culminated with a hands-on experience led by the BREEF Outreach team.

The press release noted that the workshop was made possible through the generous support of the Sean Connery Foundation and the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative.