Column: Bacon On Conservation Education

June 10, 2026 | 0 Comments

[Opinion column written by Philippe Bacon]

In Bermuda, our natural environment is not just something we admire. It forms the foundation for our economy, our wellbeing and our way of life. But our connection to it does not happen on its own. At a time when island ecosystems are under increasing pressure, it is something we have to actively build through education, real experiences and everyday interaction.

As the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo [BAMZ] celebrates its 100th anniversary and the Bermuda Zoological Society [BZS] approaches its 50th, BZS, in partnership with BAMZ, has played a vital role in building that connection. Our unique public–private partnership brings together government and community support to deliver education, conservation, research and community engagement that benefits all of Bermuda. Together, we are not only protecting our natural resources, we are shaping the future of how we understand and care for them.

Education is at the heart of BZS, and it is far more than what happens in a traditional classroom. Each year, thousands of students take part in curriculum-based programmes, free of charge thanks to donor support, ensuring equitable access across our island. These programmes are grounded in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics [STEM] learning and are designed to build critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and real-world problem-solving skills.

What makes this approach different is how that learning happens. Students do not just learn about Bermuda’s blue backyard, they enter it, gaining hands-on experience in marine biology, oceanography, and conservation. Through programmes like Kids on the Reef, they do not just learn about marine ecosystems, they enter them, developing a deeper understanding of biodiversity and the fragility of our oceans. Learning also extends across land through the Living Classroom, where students step beyond four walls into forests, mangroves, beaches, and nature reserves. Whether at Trunk Island, a Micro Forest site, Spittal Pond, or BAMZ itself, students are immersed in environments where observation, exploration, and discovery come to life.

This learning is further enhanced through unique experiences made possible by BZS resources. Our boats, Endurance and Callista, serve as floating classrooms, giving students and the wider community direct access to Bermuda’s marine environments. If you have ever joined a whale watching tour or your children have taken part in the Kids on the Reef programme, you have likely spent time on Endurance. Callista explores Harrington Sound and transports students to Trunk Island, and many of our Aqua Camp participants will remember the journey as part of their experience. From whale watching and ocean research to exploring our bays and reefs, these experiences connect people to the natural world by immersing them in it.

BZS also supports education within schools through programmes like GASS [Generating Academic Success in Science], which strengthens STEM curriculum delivery while providing teachers with tools and resources to enhance student engagement. Hundreds of teachers have been trained, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond individual classrooms. In addition, BZS offers summer internship programmes that provide Bermudian students with hands-on experience in conservation, education, and research, helping to build pathways into environmental careers.

Trunk Island stands as a powerful example of this integrated approach. Once impacted by invasive species, it is now being restored into a thriving nature reserve through native planting, mangrove restoration, and the establishment of Bermuda’s largest Micro Forests. At the same time, it serves as a Living Classroom, where students can see firsthand how ecosystems function and why they matter.

Beyond Trunk Island, BZS is working across Bermuda and its surrounding waters to protect biodiversity and strengthen environmental resilience. Micro Forests are transforming public spaces into thriving ecosystems. Partner programmes, such as the Protected Moorings Programme, help safeguard reefs and historic sites. Collaborative research initiatives, including the study of humpback whales, sharks, and green turtles, contribute to global conservation knowledge while protecting species in Bermuda’s waters.

These efforts are not only about the environment, they are about people. They ensure that every Bermudian has the opportunity to learn, to engage, and to play a role in conservation. Through membership, volunteering, community programmes, and internships, BZS continues to build a culture of environmental responsibility that spans generations.

The challenges we face are real. Climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation are very real global issues with local consequences. But so too is our ability to respond. By strengthening education, supporting conservation, and building deeper connections between people and the natural world, we can build a more resilient Bermuda.

We envision a Bermuda where everyone has the knowledge, attitudes, and skills to care for our natural and social environment. This is not just about protecting what we have today. It is about ensuring that future generations inherit an island that is vibrant, sustainable, and full of opportunity. And this future will not be secured by chance. It will be shaped by how we choose to invest in education, conservation and connection, starting today.

That future is already taking shape. And it belongs to all of us.

- Philippe Bacon, BZS Board President