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Nassau, Bahamas – The Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) hosted an Environmental Journalism Writing & Podcasting Workshop for youth at the University of the Bahamas under the theme “Ecosystem Restoration”.

Twenty eco-conscious students between the ages of 11-25 participated in group discussions and activities about threats to our local environment. After these lessons, they used their knowledge to craft compelling debates through group presentations led by Camron Reckley and Paul Taylor from Toastmasters Club 1600. The Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) event also empowered students as they learned from our BREEF experts about threats to the Bahamian marine environment and how they affect the community. Activities about tone, pitch and vocal projection aided students as they worked on perfecting their skills to present to the class. Learning storytelling techniques helped participants to better communicate, shedding light on local environmental issues in unique and creative ways.

BREEF Education & Outreach Officer, Jasmond Collie gave an interactive presentation at UB’s Independence Park on the acronym, ‘CHOPIT’ which stands for climate change, habitat loss, overfishing, pollution, invasive species and trade. Collie said that she was blown away by the students’ creativity and enthusiasm during activity sessions.

“The debate on ecosystem restoration that students prepared for in just a few minutes, was very impressive. It was incredible to see how, with the right tools, guidance and a little encouragement, they stepped up with confidence and turned their knowledge into action. This workshop truly showed how capable and inspiring young Bahamian minds can be when given the chance.”

Reckley led the debate asking students the question, “Is planting mangroves the best way to help the environment, or are there better ways to restore nature?” He then invited them to weigh in on the issue using what they learned in the previous activities about the threats to the marine environment to craft a debate.

At the end of the event many of the participants expressed how they felt the workshop helped them in their understanding of the environment, and the power of writing and speech.

“It was amazing, I had a lot of fun and it’s been quite a while since I’ve interacted with other like-minded students and I genuinely learned a lot too.” – Enoch Stubbs, age 16, BTVI

“I learned about how tone matters, about how it’s better to show life in what you’re saying with facial expressions and hand gestures. I think that really helped me.” – Richard Jean, age 12, A.F. Adderley Jr. High School 

“I was a little nervous about the public speaking, I felt at first like I didn’t know what I was doing but he (Reckley) encouraged me and that helped me to get more comfortable with it.” – Leah Dillet age 11, A.F. Adderley 

“I didn’t expect this, I thought we were going to sit down and write all day and it was very interactive and overall a fun experience.” – Breanna Rahming, age 12, Aquinas College“I feel very enlightened, it was an amazing workshop today. I learned alot about public speaking,the difference your tone can make when you communicate and how people receive it. I 10/10 would recommend it.” – Madison Hepburn, age 16, Government High School 

The workshop activities inspired students to think critically about Ecosystem Restoration and provide solutions to environmental issues that we are facing in The Bahamas. BREEF Communications Officer & YRE National Operator, Crystal Darling-Sargent says that the skills taught in this workshop are crucial for professional development.

“Many of the students in our YRE programme are in high school and college. Institutions and employers are looking for young people who are well-informed, think critically and are solution orientated so these skills are essential. Furthermore, in an everchanging world constantly impacted by climate change, our students need to be fully prepared and knowledgeable.”

The workshop also helped students to organize their ideas for entries in the YRE National Competition which kicked off in September 2024. The deadline for YRE National Competition entries is April 7, 2025. 

BREEF runs the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programme in The Bahamas. The global programme aims to empower students aged 11-25 to take a stand on environmental issues they feel strongly about and give them a platform to call attention to these issues through writing, photography, video and podcasting. There are more than 350,000 young reporters in 47 countries across the world. BREEF will host a YRE Video workshop in the upcoming months. 

To learn more about BREEF’s Young Reporters for the Environment Programme and its work in promoting the conservation of the Bahamian marine environment, please visit www.breef.org or email breef@breef.org.