NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Under the theme “Safeguarding Bahamian Biodiversity”, the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) held its second virtual Eco-Schools Bahamas Coordinators Workshop to promote the importance of protecting biodiversity and environmental sustainability in The Bahamas.
The Eco-Schools Bahamas Programme is part of Eco-Schools Global, the largest sustainable schools programme in the world, supporting student environmental leaders in over 68 countries.
During her opening remarks, Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, BREEF’s executive director, said: “To date, BREEF’s Eco-Schools Bahamas Programme has grown from seven schools in the pilot programme to 38 government and private schools, including four schools that registered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“’Safeguarding Bahamian Biodiversity’ is a priority because it is essential to protecting our well-being and way of life in The Bahamas.”
The annual workshop was convened again this year from October 6-8 and included three expert speakers who shared their knowledge and advice about Bahamian biodiversity.
Dr Nick Higgs, director of research and Innovation, Cape Eleuthera Island School, kicked off the event with a comprehensive presentation on marine biodiversity. Higgs concluded his presentation by saying: “One of the best things we can do to protect biodiversity is supporting the creation of Marine Protected Areas.”
During day two, participants learned about the significant relationship between taxonomy and conservation from Dr Ethan Freid, botanist at the Bahamas National Trust Leon Levy Plant Preserve in Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera. Freid’s presentation, entitled “Plant Diversity and the Lucayan Archipelago”, highlighted the evolution of plants and the importance of plant biodiversity globally and in the Lucayan archipelago — The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands — in particular.
Dr Selima Hauber, agricultural education and outreach officer for the Centre for Training & Innovation, One Eleuthera Foundation, was the final keynote speaker on day three. Hauber’s inspiring presentation, “Re-embracing heritage crops to achieve food security and improve health in a warming climate”, examined the impact that lifestyle choices, like diet, have on our health and the benefits of growing and consuming Bahamian heritage crops.
“It was a pleasure to share this information with our nation’s educators and I am grateful to BREEF for its long-standing role in education,” said Hauber.
Asked about what she thought of the event, Hazel Collette-Adams, Eco-Schools Bahamas’ newest coordinator from the Beacon School on Grand Bahama, said: “Excellent information; rich presentation. Awareness is the first step to ignite action to safeguard Bahamian biodiversity.”
According to Kevin Glinton, BREEF’s education coordinator and Eco-Schools Bahamas national operator: “I am privileged to work with an awesome group of dedicated and inspiring educators and volunteers who continue to pursue excellence in environmental education and environmental stewardship in our children.
“Throughout this pandemic, they have shown their resilience and adaptability by embracing many challenges and turning them into opportunities for creativity and learning.”
Those interested in learning more about Eco-Schools Bahamas and how to register can call BREEF’s office at 242-327-9000 or email ecoschoolsbahamas@breef.org.
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