2023 B.A.M. Student Voices

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Previously, you heard the voice of the students in our J.A.M.I.N. program. Now it’s time to hear how the students in The Bahamas feel about our B.A.M. program.

“Though I do not want to pursue a career in science or conservation, I still appreciate and I’m thankful that I am a part of something so important like the B.A.M. program.”
– Kaley Scott, Forest Heights Academy

J.A.M.I.N. Alumni Spotlight: Where Are They Now?

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Every once in a while, life presents us with heartwarming moments that reaffirm the impact of education. Such was the case when I receive updates or cross paths with former B.A.M. and J.A.M.I.N. students. On my final trip back, former J.A.M.I.N. student and William Knibb Memorial High School alumna Nastacia Linton emerged as a beacon of inspiration. While pursuing her degree, Nastacia has taken on the role of Assistant Librarian at her alma mater — a testament to her dedication to both education and science. I vividly recalled Nastacia’s calm demeanor, her quiet yet inquisitive nature, and her genuine interest in delving deeper into the world of mangroves.

It is with great pride that I shine a spotlight on this exceptional alumnus, who is not only pursuing her own career in science but giving back to her beloved high school. After reviewing Nastacia’s answers from our program evaluation, it should be no surprise that she wanted to pursue a career in STEM education when she said her favorite part of the program was “working in the field, collecting samples, recording data, working more closely with mangroves, and working in their environment.”

Nastacia’s journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of education and the enduring impact of programs like J.A.M.I.N. Join me as we delve deeper into her inspiring path, celebrating her achievements and exploring the ways in which she continues to make a difference in the world of science…

Shining the Spotlight on Our Partner, Trudy-Ann Campbell

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After a hiatus of over two years due to the unforeseen impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were eager to resume the Jamaica Awareness of Mangroves in Nature (J.A.M.I.N.) this past school year. With its return came several changes, and one of the most exciting additions this year was the arrival of Trudy-Ann Campbell, the new outreach officer at the UWI Discovery Bay Marine Lab —a valued partner in the J.A.M.I.N. initiative.

In her role as the outreach officer, Trudy takes charge of organizing educational activities for both primary and secondary school students. Her responsibilities extend beyond the classroom as she collaborates with organizations like ours to deliver educational programs that create environmental awareness among youth. Moreover, Trudy works closely with local communities, empowering them to actively participate in the preservation and conservation of their mangroves…

Empowering Youth: The Return of our Mangrove Education & Restoration Program to Bahamian Schools

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The definition of partnerships had a newfound meaning to Bahamians who experienced Hurricane Dorian in September 2019. So many relief organizations selflessly came to our rescue from so many different avenues, showing us the true meaning of partnership and dedication to our islands. As the island of Abaco has rebuilt over the past four years, we have been grateful for those partners eager to continue working with us as we come back stronger. Friends of the Environment (FRIENDS) is grateful for the partnership with the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation (KSLOF) in bringing the Bahamas Awareness of Mangroves (B.A.M.) program back to Abaco this year…

Celebrating Environmental Stewardship of B.A.M. and J.A.M.I.N. Graduates

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As the academic year comes to a close, we celebrate all the graduates out there. This year, I’m particularly filled with pride and excitement as I celebrate the achievements of my students in the Bahamas Awareness of Mangroves (B.A.M.) and Jamaica Awareness of Mangroves in Nature (J.A.M.I.N.) programs, who have successfully completed their first year. While this milestone might not have carried the same weight in previous years, it holds a unique significance for me because it marks the first cohort of students to navigate our programs after pausing the programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The B.A.M. and J.A.M.I.N. programs were created with the goal of nurturing environmental awareness and conservation among young minds. By immersing students in the world of mangroves—an ecologically significant and biologically diverse ecosystem—we aimed to instill a sense of stewardship for these invaluable habitats…

Diving into Ocean Literacy on World Oceans Day

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For over two decades, the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation has been at the forefront of marine conservation, striving to protect and restore the world’s oceans through cutting-edge research, education, and outreach initiatives. In this time, one of the …

Inspiring Ocean Conservation Through Art

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation is thrilled to announce the winners of the annual Science Without Borders® Challenge, an international student art contest that promotes ocean conservation. This year’s competition, centered around the theme “The …

Activities

Ready to dive into an adventure that will make you a true Mangrove Detective? Take on the challenge of investigating potentially diseased mangrove leaves in your very own local forest, and uncover the hidden secrets of the insects that could …

2023 Science Without Borders® Challenge: Introducing the 15-19 Year-Old Finalists

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The response to our Science Without Borders® Challenge has been overwhelming! We’ve been blown away by the sheer number of submissions that we received from aspiring young scientists and artists all over the world. Last week, we proudly unveiled the finalists in the 11-14 age group, and now, we’re ecstatic to announce the finalists in the 15-19 year-old category.

These young artists hail from all corners of the globe, including China, Indonesia, Korea, the Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. You will be amazed at their incredible artwork and how well they captured the essence of the theme, “The Sixth Extinction.” Students depicted a diverse range of endangered marine animals in their artwork including whales, fish, polar bears, sharks, sea otters, horseshoe crabs, seals, and crocodiles. We were amazed by these students’ boundless creativity, execution of the theme, and artistic abilities.

Without further ado, please meet our talented 15-19 year old finalists!