Global Reef Expedition Says Goodbye to Papeete

Goodbye to Papeete

Before leaving Papeete we took an evening to share some of our initial research findings with local scientists, representatives of our partner organizations, and government officials. A full analysis of all the data we gathered will take months but we have seen some observable trends during our field work.

Dr Andy Bruckner gives a scientific update with French translation by Clare Pasdelou as Global Reef Expedition says goodbye to Papeete.

We displayed images from some of the remote sites we have surveyed during our field research and were delighted that the French Polynesian Minister for Education, Tauhiti Nena, came to encourage us on our continued scientific journey. It was a great way to say goodbye to Papeete.

KSLOF Executive Director Philip Renaud and Minister for Education Tauhiti Nena

Photos by 1 Michele Westmorland, 2 and 3 KSLOF

From Mangrove Mud to Meaningful Work: Desta’s J.A.M.I.N. Journey

Some students I remember for their grades, their quick answers, or a moment that made the whole class laugh. Others I remember for the way they stepped into the mangroves.

Desta was the kind of student who thrived outdoors. While some students hesitated at the edge of the mud, he walked right in. And when he inevitably got stuck — because everyone does — he didn’t get frustrated. He laughed. Covered in mud, holding mangrove propagules in his hands, he embraced the experience fully.

Even then, it was clear that he was connecting with the environment in a way that went beyond the lesson plan…

From Students to Stewards: A Full-Circle Moment for J.A.M.I.N.

There are certain faces you never forget.

Over the years, hundreds of students have stepped into mangrove forests with us through the Jamaica Awareness of Mangroves in Nature (J.A.M.I.N.) program. I may not always remember every name, but I remember the expressions — the hesitation before stepping into thick mud, the laughter when someone loses a shoe, the look of surprise when they catch that unmistakable sulfur smell rising from the mangrove soil…

Goodbye to Papeete

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From Mangrove Mud to Meaningful Work: Desta’s J.A.M.I.N. Journey

From Students to Stewards: A Full-Circle Moment for J.A.M.I.N.