The Tribune

By FAY SIMMONS

Tribune Education Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

FOUR young Bahamians are preparing to take their environmental education beyond the classroom, gaining hands-on experience in marine science, conservation and career exploration as the 2026–2027 Bahamas Environmental Steward Scholars.

The four students were selected following an inspiring application process for the Bahamas Environmental Steward Scholarship (BESS), a partnership between the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) and The Island School. The programme combines academic learning with practical experience, giving young Bahamians the opportunity to develop their knowledge, leadership skills and understanding of the marine environment.

Daniel Longe of Summit Heights Preparatory School in Grand Bahama and Trevan Fernander of Saint Augustine's College in New Providence have completed a six-week Summer Term at The Island School's Eleuthera campus. They will now undertake two-week internships with BREEF, where they will gain practical experience and a closer look at work in the marine and environmental fields.

Taryn McKinney-Lambert, an Aeon School student and Deep Creek Middle School alumna from Eleuthera, and Jayden Pratt, a 2026 graduate of CR Walker Senior High School and alumnus of BREEF's pilot Students for Environmental Action (SEA) programme, will complete a 100-day Fall Semester at The Island School before beginning four-month internships with BREEF.

The experience gives students opportunities to learn through direct interaction with the Bahamian environment. Through BREEF and The Island School, scholars have worked with marine species and ecosystems including dolphins, flamingoes, queen conch and coral reefs, gaining practical knowledge that complements their classroom education.

Students at The Island School also conduct scientific research and learn to scuba dive, giving them an opportunity to explore the marine environment from a different perspective. The scuba certification and research experience can provide a foundation for students interested in marine science, conservation, tourism, environmental engineering and other related careers.

The BREEF internship is tailored to each student's interests and future goals. A scholar interested in marine mammal research, coral restoration, environmental engineering or journalism, for example, can gain experience that helps them better understand that career path and the education required to pursue it.

BREEF also works with students as they consider their next steps after the programme, including applications to tertiary institutions in The Bahamas and abroad. The goal is to help scholars build on the experience they gain through BESS and continue developing their skills as environmental stewards.

Since 2008, 66 young Bahamians have participated in the BESS programme, with 90 percent of scholars going on to pursue related tertiary studies. Many former scholars are now working in environmental fields.

The programme has also evolved to provide greater flexibility for students. Recognizing that a traditional full-year programme is not practical for every student, BESS now offers summer modules that allow participants to complete the Summer Term and follow it with an internship at BREEF without requiring an extended commitment or college deferment.

Applications for the next cohort of Bahamas Environmental Steward Scholars open on September 15, 2026.

Applicants must be between 14 and 18 years old, be Bahamian citizens or eligible for Bahamian citizenship, and demonstrate an interest in leadership and environmental stewardship. Applications for the Summer Term close January 15, while applications for the Fall or Spring Semester close February 15.

The BESS programme is made possible through the support of The Island School, The Cape Eleuthera Foundation and donors in The Bahamas and abroad.

Through a combination of classroom learning, scientific research and hands-on experience, BESS gives young Bahamians the opportunity to explore their interests, develop practical skills and begin considering how they can contribute to the future of the country's marine environment.