Grand Bahama students showcase dedication to national mangrove project

Showcasing their commitment and dedication, students from Sir Jack Hayward Senior High, Bishop Michael Eldon, and Lucaya International schools in Grand Bahama planted hundreds of mangroves as part of the national mangrove project. Two plantings were held recently at Dover Sound and East Grand Bahama, two areas where mangrove forests were devastated during the passage of Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

The project, a collaborative effort between Waterkeepers Bahamas (WKB), the Forestry Unit, and the 50th Independence Secretariat, underscores the pivotal role of Bahamian students in conservation efforts.

Andurah Daxon, Waterkeepers Bahamas programs coordinator said the students showed commitment and dedication.

“Their efforts are a testament to the power of youth engagement in environmental conservation,” said Daxon. “Through hands-on activities like mangrove propagation and planting, they actively contribute to coastal restoration and develop a profound connection to their natural surroundings, paving the way for a more sustainable future.”

The out-planting events in Grand Bahama followed the initiative in March when four New Providence schools participated in planting mangroves at Adelaide Pond. Seven schools have completed the process, and eight schools on Andros, The Berry Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera and Exuma are currently growing their propagules for future out-planting.

Ni’kolaus Cartwright, Bishop Michael Eldon School’s student nursery manager, said witnessing the growth and development of the mangrove propagules was inspiring. “Primary, junior, and senior high school students have poured their hearts and efforts into caring for these precious seedlings. It’s all a part of our commitment to being an eco-school and maintaining a sense of pride and responsibility for our environment,” said Cartwright.

Students have embraced their roles as stewards of coastal ecosystems, actively participating in mangrove propagation and out-planting.

Since its inception in October 2023, the project has been instrumental in empowering schools across The Bahamas to establish mangrove nurseries. Students care for the red mangrove propagules until they are ready for out-planting, amplifying the project’s impact on coastal restoration and environmental education. In April 2024, six months after receiving their kits, Grand Bahama students significantly contributed, furthering the project’s mission.