Earth Day 2024

EARTH DAY 2024

10 years of an undersea kingdom

THE Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) is celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Sir Nicholas Nuttall Coral Reef Sculpture Garden and Coral Nursery (CRSG) - a testament to a decade of unwavering commitment to marine conservation and environmental stewardship.

Established in 2014, BREEF says the garden stands as a beacon of hope and resilience, embodying the intersection of art, education, and conservation. Conceived as a living art gallery and underwater classroom, the CRSG has flourished into a thriving ecosystem, fostering the growth of coral, fish, and invertebrates while serving as a vital educational resource for both locals and visitors.

tall and weighing 60 tonnes. Ocean Atlas depicts a Bahamian girl holding the future of the ocean on her shoulders, and symbolises a call to protect our oceans for future generations. These sculptures pay homage to both the natural beauty and cultural heritage of The Bahamas.

The brainchild of Bahamian artist Willicey Tynes, the CRSG was brought to life through a collaboration with renowned sculptors Jason DeCaires Taylor and Andret John.

Three breathtaking sculptures — Ocean Atlas (Taylor), Virtuoso Man (Tynes), and Lucayan Face (John) — now grace the ocean floor, alongside 66 reef balls, each providing structure to help sustain the rich biodiversity of the area. At the heart of the CRSG stands Ocean Atlas, the largest underwater statue in the world, 18 feet

Coral reefs are vital underwater ecosystems that provide food and shelter to an incredible diversity of marine life including key species such as the Nassau grouper, queen conch, and spiny lobster.

Coral reefs are also the nation’s first line of defence against storms and hurricanes, breaking up to 97 percent of wave energy before it reaches land. Coral reefs in The Bahamas and around the world are facing catastrophic bleaching due to warming waters from climate change.

In addition to installing the sculptures in 2014, in 2015 BREEF installed coral propagation units within the garden, and has been growing corals in an underwater coral nursery at the site ever since. This coral nursery serves as a flagship site for coral propagation and restoration that has been replicated around the country. Endangered staghorn coral is grown suspended in the water column, and these fragments are later outplanted on adjacent reefs to restore diversity and structural complexity.

In addition to coral bleaching, coral reefs are also impacted by pollution from land and physical damage from boat anchors and ship groundings, especially in heavily trafficked areas such as around Western New Providence. The CRSG is located in the waters off Clifton Heritage Park and within Southwest Marine Managed Area and it is intended to serve as a sanctuary for marine life, and a beacon of hope for coral restoration initiatives.

As BREEF celebrates this significant milestone, it reaffirms its commitment to promoting the conservation of the Bahamian marine environment for future generations. The CRSG stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, creativity, and conservation in safeguarding our precious marine ecosystems.

Join BREEF in celebrating Earth Day and the ten-year anniversary of the Coral Reef Sculpture Garden by visiting breef. org to learn more about how you can contribute to ocean conservation efforts.

BLEACHED coral during last summer’s underwater heatwave.

THE VIRTUOSO Man sculpture and, top, eaglerays swim past Ocean Atlas.

Making an impact

OPENING to guests in

June 2024, Disney Cruise Line’s all-new Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point celebrates the rich culture and natural beauty of The Bahamas, with signature Disney entertainment, local port adventures, nature trails and more.

In celebration of Earth Day, the cruise line shared an inside look at some of the impressive conservation and sustainability work it’s doing to continue Disney’s long-standing commitment to protecting the natural beauty of The Bahamas.

Sustainable Design

Disney Cruise Line has developed less than 16 percent of the site, leaving the overwhelming majority of land in its natural state. For the areas Disney developed, the company focused on sustainable design and building practices like elevated walkways that reduce impacts to the natural environment; other details like the placement of the beach chairs were thoughtfully considered to not impact natural sand dunes.

An innovative, opentrestle pier extends to deep water and did not require dredging a ship channel. The location of the pier was based on a scientific assessment to avoid areas where coral reefs were present, and viable corals within the pier’s footprint were expertly relocated to improve the health of coral reefs in the area. Disney has also committed to sending zero waste to landfill, and 90% of the destination’s energy demand will be from renewable sources.

and gender. Participants worked tirelessly to clean ten beaches across New Providence, removing trash and debris from the shores of Stokes Beach, Sandyport Beach, Cabbage Beach, Yamacraw Beach, Montague Beach, Saunders Beach, Caves Beach, South Beach, Coral

Harbour, and Arawak Cay Beach.

Ariannah Wells, project manager, said: “We are overwhelmed by the response and dedication of our participants. The success of this event reaffirms our belief in the power of community action

“The Beachlink Project is committed to ongoing projects and initiatives that will continue to benefit New Providence and its residents, but also we’re super excited about the opportunity to expand into a national initiative. We extend a heartfelt thanks to all participants, partners, and supporters who made this event a resounding success. We look forward to the positive impact we can create together in the future.”

The Beachlink Project thanked corporate and community partners The Bahamas Red Cross, Asurewin, The Newball Foundation, The Organization for Responsible Governance, Flo Bahamas, Sustainable Me, Rise Bahamas, The Bahamas Conservation Connection, RS Trucking, Bellewood by Design, and Soul and Soil.

Wildlife Conservation The island destination is full of unique native animal and plant species, and Disney’s team of conservation experts have been working for many years to help create a cruise destination where nature can continue to thrive.

This work began with one of the most comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) ever conducted in The Bahamas to ensure the development and operation of the island destination would not result in loss of terrestrial or marine biodiversity. Disney’s team of Bahamian wildlife experts continues to implement a variety of long-standing conservation initiatives like coral restoration projects, bird tagging programs, native plant preservation and more.

SCENES from Saturday’s Beachlink Project cleanups.

EARTH DAY 2024

Young reporters focus on the environment

THE Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) has announced Dejae Woods, 19, from the University of the Bahamas is the first-place winner of its 2024 Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) National Competition. The winning photo entry “Confronting the Devastating Effects of Marine Pollution in The Bahamas“ focused on marine pollution. Ms Woods, highlighted the socioeconomic consequences of marine pollution.

“Marine pollution diminishes the visual appeal of beaches and coastal areas, deterring visitors and impact ing local economies heavily reliant on tourism revenue,” she wrote. Ms. Woods will receive a laptop and a Bahamas Under water book gifted by BREEF to support and inspire her future in environmental reporting.

CR Walker student Shania Higgs, 16, won the second place prize, a cell phone and a Bahamas Underwater book for her photo, “The Shape of

Things to Come”, which looked at destruction of natural ecosystems such as mangrove wetlands under the ‘Loss of Biodiversity’ theme. In third place, the climate change campaign video “For Our Islands, For Our Planet: Voices of The Bahamas” by Lauren Scriven, 16, looked at strong hurricanes and sea level rise in The Bahamas. She wins an underwater camera and a Bahamas Underwater book. These three winners will now represent The Bahamas in the 2024 Young Reporters for the Environment International Competition hosted by the Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE).

Crystal Darling-Sargent, national operator for the young reporters for the environment, said: “The YRE programme supports youth who are passionate about the environment to give nature a voice in such a fun and creative way.

“The YRE National Competition is a key part of the programme, however, throughout the year students can engage with nature and feel inspired to share what they have learned as they enhance their storytelling skills through this initiative.”

Ms Woods said: “My motivation to protect nature stems from a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of all life on Earth. I recognise that the health of our planet directly impacts our well-being and the survival of countless species.”

The Young Reporters for the Environment programme was launched in The Bahamas with the support of Moore Bahamas Foundation, The Builders Initiative and Primat Foundation.

To learn more, visit www. breef.org.

A PHOTO by Shania Higgs titled The Shape of Things to Come.

LAUREN SCRIVEN

EARTH DAY 2024

Joining forces with the world

THE Bahamas Mangrove Alliance (BMA) has announced its affiliation with the Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA) - as well as welcoming Friends of the Environment and Cape Eleuthera Institute at The Island School into its fold.

Founded on Earth Day 2023 by Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT), Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS), and Waterkeepers Bahamas (WKB), the BMA is dedicated to championing mangrove conservation and restoration across The Bahamas.

Mangrove forests are vital ecosystems, serving as natural buffers against coastal erosion, providing habitats for diverse marine life, and playing a pivotal role in carbon sequestration.

The GMA, established at the World Ocean Summit in 2018, fosters collaboration among NGOs, governments, scientists, industry, local communities, and funders to conserve and restore mangrove ecosystems worldwide.

Jim McDuffie, president of BTT, said: “The BMA is pleased to join the community of organisations and other partners working to restore and conserve mangroves around the world. Our participation in the GMA is pivotal in amplifying our collective impact on mangrove conservation efforts. Together, we can leverage our resources, expertise, and networks to safeguard these critical ecosystems for future generations.”

Dr Craig Dahlgren, executive director of PIMS, said:

“The partnership between the BMA and the GMA signifies a powerful commitment to preserving and restoring mangrove ecosystems. This collaboration will undoubtedly enhance our ability to address the multifaceted challenges facing mangroves and foster sustainable solutions.”

Welcoming the BMA into the GMA, Emily Landis, climate and ocean director at The Nature Conservancy and a member of the GMA steering committee, said: “We are thrilled to welcome the BMA into our global network as our newest national chapter.

“Their dedication to mangrove conservation aligns perfectly with our mission, and we are excited to collaborate with them to drive meaningful change.”

Rashema Ingraham, executive director of WKB, said: “The inclusion of Friends of the Environment and Cape Eleuthera further underscores the collaborative nature of the BMA. By uniting diverse organisations and stakeholders under a common goal, we can address the complex challenges facing mangrove habitats and work towards sustainable solutions. We look forward to working closely with our new members to advance our shared mission.”

“The Cape Eleuthera Institute at The Island School is proud to join forces with the BMA and the GMA in the fight for mangrove conservation”, said Dr Nicholas Higgs director of research and innovation. “As we face the urgent challenges of our

time, including climate change, preserving mangrove ecosystems is paramount. Together, we stand committed to protecting these vital habitats, ensuring a sustainable future for our planet and all who call it home.”

“We are happy to join forces with the BMA in their vital mission to conserve and restore mangrove ecosystems. With our ongoing mangrove outreach programs, it was a natural partnership to make,” said Friends of the Environment executive director Olivia Patterson-Maura. “Mangroves are integral to the health of

our coastal environment, and through collaboration with BMA and its partners, we are confident in our ability to make a meaningful difference in protecting these essential habitats.”

BMA mangrove restoration and community engagement activities are made possible with support from the Global Environment Facility, Small Grants Program, The Nature Conservancy, Builders Initiative and other funding partners.