Eco-Schools Bahamas coordinators from government schools represented at the workshop.
Educators explored innovative ways to integrate environmental education and climate awareness into their curriculum with a view to empowering students to take active roles in promoting sustainability within their schools and communities during the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation's (BREEF) annual Eco-Schools Bahamas (ESB) coordinators' workshop.
Sessions focused on providing coordinators with the tools needed to guide their institutions toward achieving the internationally recognized Eco-Schools Green Flag Award.
Ariadne Munnings, C.C. Sweeting Senior High School Eco-Club coordinator, said the workshop was an eye-opener to the possibilities that exist for schools to positively impact students and communities.
"I left feeling empowered and equipped to make a difference," said Munnings.
Student leaders from Aquinas College and St. John's College shared their schools' experiences in achieving Green Flag status and implementing sustainable practices.
Aquinas College earned its first Green Flag in May 2025, and became the first Catholic school in New Providence to receive the distinction.
"Upon getting a Green Flag, many may think that's the finish line, but it really isn't," said Ethan Mackey, Aquinas College's Eco-Club vice president. "We as a community have to continuously push ourselves towards making our environment clean, for if we don't, there will be no environment left to look at."
Nicola Fernander, BREEF's Eco-Schools national coordinator, spoke to the growth of the Eco-Schools network in The Bahamas, which now includes 52 registered schools.
"Our goal is to increase the number of schools, especially government schools, obtaining Green Flag status," said Fernander. "This year's workshop focused on equipping new and existing coordinators with the knowledge and connections needed to make that happen.
"Through Eco-Schools Bahamas, we are creating a network of eco-educators supporting each other and helping students take meaningful action to protect our environment."
Family island representatives also emphasized the importance of environmental stewardship among young people.
St. Andrew's School and its Cans for Kids initiative highlighted the value of community partnerships in promoting recycling and environmental responsibility. Cans for Kids has been a longstanding partner in The Bahamas' recycling efforts, working alongside Eco-Schools to engage students in practical environmental action.
BREEF hosted its annual Eco-Schools Bahamas (ESB) coordinators' workshop, October 10-11. The two-day event brought together over 70 educators from Abaco, Andros, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama, Cat Island, and New Providence to exchange ideas, strengthen connections, and advance sustainability education across the nation.
The workshop concluded with a public snorkel experience, where educators and community members explored the marine ecosystem and experienced BREEF's outdoor classroom approach to environmental education.
It was held under the theme, "Resilient Communities for Sustainable Futures."
Cherish Russell, coordinator at Keep Grand Bahama Clean, said, it is important to instill in youth that they must become good environmental stewards.
The initiative was supported by the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Nassau and Paradise Island Promotion Board, Primat Foundation and Builders Initiative.
The Eco-Schools Bahamas Programme, operated by BREEF since 2009, is part of a global network active in over 79 countries. The program continues to foster sustainability education, environmental stewardship, and community engagement across the archipelago.