Bermuda’s Eco-Schools Celebrate Achievements

The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute [BUEI] and National Operator for the Foundation for Environmental Education [FEE] Eco-Schools Programme celebrated the end of the academic year “with remarkable growth and achievement throughout Bermuda’s schools.”

A spokesperson said, “From ocean cleanups to vegetable gardens, students across Bermuda are taking bold action to protect the planet—and they’re being recognised for it. The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, as the National Operator for the Foundation for Environmental Education Eco-Schools Programme, celebrated the end of the academic year with remarkable growth and achievement throughout Bermuda’s schools.

“The Eco-Schools programme includes students of all ages, from preschoolers to Bermuda College, across both public and private institutions. This year, a record number of seven local schools have earned the coveted Eco-Schools Green Flag award, marking a significant step forward in sustainability education and environmental stewardship, with a total of 17 schools participating in the programme.

“Bermuda’s Green Flag Schools, Harrington Sound Academy, West Pembroke Primary, Victor Scott Primary, Warwick Academy, Bermuda High School, Saltus Grammar School, and Bermuda College, documented their great accomplishments through the new Eco-Schools online platform, showcasing their efforts toward a more sustainable future. Of the seventeen schools who participated in the programme, Prospect Preschool and Somerset Primary achieved Gold Level certification.

“The Berkeley Institute, Francis Patton Primary, and Lyceum earned Silver Level, while Gilbert Institute, Chatmore International School, and Paget Primary reached Bronze Level. Prospect Primary and CedarBridge Academy took part through a variety of curriculum-based and extracurricular sustainability initiatives. Though not an Eco-School at this time, Mount Saint Agnes also demonstrated environmental education by joining the Young Reporters for the Environment Programme, another BUEI and FEE initiative empowering students to investigate and report on environmental issues and sustainable solutions.

“At the heart of the Eco-Schools Programme is the mission to empower youth to take action for a sustainable future. Through a student-led, curriculum-linked approach, the programme promotes climate responsibility, environmental literacy, and strong connections between schools and their communities. This year’s student-led projects included pollinator gardens, forest regeneration and micro-forest planting, water sustainability and quality audits, seahorse conservation, pollution cleanups, beach plastic art, and community efforts like Keep Bermuda Beautiful’s [KBB] Race to Recycle.

“Students also grew food for the annual Agricultural Exhibition and shared produce with their communities or sold it to fund further environmental education efforts. Other highlights include the return of the Bermuda College Trashion Show, a creatively recycled fashion event, as well as a student-organised Green Initiative Week.

“Lessons on life cycles of plants and animals also supported sustainability education across age groups. Community involvement played a critical role in this year’s success. Schools received enthusiastic support from parents as well as local organisations including Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce, Bermuda National Trust, Keep Bermuda Beautiful, The AgraLiving Institute, Bermuda Education Network, Koom Consulting, and others.

“A heartfelt thank you goes out to all delivery partners and sponsors Butterfield Bank, the Bermuda Community Foundation, Centennial Foundation, Garden Club of Bermuda, Rennaissance Re, Sirius Point, and XL Foundation for their vital contributions to the programme! Looking ahead to the 2025–26 school year, all schools will transition to using the online certification platform to track their sustainability work. BUEI invites every school across the island—including adult education centers and homeschool networks—to join this important movement.

“Several training sessions will be scheduled for late September to support new participants and get the year started for all Eco-Schools. To learn more about BUEI’s environmental education programmes, visit BUEI.bm.

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Category: All, Environment, News