The Tribune

VOLUNTEERS from the US Embassy partnered with Woodcock Primary School, Young Marine Explorers (YME) and Bahamas Waste to clean up the popular beach at Goodman’s Bay in observance of World Oceans Month.

The embassy’s volunteers included representatives from the United States Coast Guard (USCG), the Navy and members of the US Marine Corps Security Detachment as part of the embassy’s overreaching philosophy of environmental protection and responsibility.

YME, a locally-based NGO, inspires young Bahamians to develop an interest in and passion for their environment, in order to help shape the ecological future of the Bahamas.

The young explorers were led by YME director and state alumnus, Nikita Shiel-Rolle.

Last June, Ms Shiel-Rolle participated in a special US Department of State International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) in the US that focused on environmental education and conservation programmes.

During the beach clean-up, she used the opportunity to educate the volunteers about marine life, invasive species that pose a threat to the environment and addressed the importance of ocean conservation in an interactive setting.

The eager students and volunteers spent several hours removing various forms of debris and garbage from along the coastline and the sea.

Representatives from Bahamas Waste donated their time and also disposed of the trash collected at the end of the clean-up campaign.

At the conclusion of the beach clean-up, the US Embassy’s Interim Public Affairs Officer Dana Jea presented Willamae Bridgewater, the principal of Woodcock Primary School with science books and materials to promote environmental conservation among the youth.

This latest US Embassy-led initiative is an effort to encourage other local organisations to protect the Bahamas’ natural beauty by participating in similar beach clean-up programmes throughout New Providence.