Nassau, Bahamas – The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) not only teaches
students about the environment, but also provides them with
opportunities to develop skills that will assist them with future career
choices as well as amazing views of our environment, including under
water ones. Recently fifteen students from the BNT’s Navigators
programme from St. John’s High School, Nassau Christian Academy
and Central Andros High successfully completed their PADI SCUBA Open Water Diver course earlier this month.
The
Navigators programme is the third level of Discovery Club. This level
is partially sponsored by The Atlantis Blue Project Foundation and is
more research based, targeting young people in high school and college.
Activities at this level are designed to equip the participants with
knowledge and skills that will prepare them for college level studies in
environmental science or eco- tourism based activities.
“Participants
in the Navigators programme are embracing an awesome opportunity that
will not only assist them in their biology and social studies courses
but give them marketable skills to acquire jobs,” said Portia Sweeting,
BNT Education Director. ”We are grateful to our partner The Atlantis
Blue Project Foundation for their continued support of the Navigator
programme.”
The recent scuba certification was sponsored by Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas, Forfar Field Station and Kamalame Cay Resort. Kamalame Cay
resort owner Brian Hew offered full use of his facilities, equipment and
dive instructors to train the students. Swimming, snorkeling and SCUBA
diving are all necessary skills required for a career in marine science
and the BNT is hopeful that even if the students decide on alternative
careers they can use these skills to assist the BNT in monitoring of our
marine parks.
“The Bahamas National Trust, through their
Discovery Club program, is playing a critical role in developing the
next generation of marine scientists in The Bahamas” said Debra
Erickson, Executive Director of Atlantis Blue Project Foundation.
“Through their training, even those students who don't enter the field
of science will become important community advocates for our ocean.”
Navigators Club is just one of the many ways that the Trust is conserving and protecting the natural resources of The Bahamas,
through
stewardship and education for present and future generations to
throughout the country. To learn more about Navigators Club, visit the
BNT’s website or Facebook page and become a member by supporting the
Trust.
The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) doesn’t only educate students on the environment, but also gives students amazing views of our environment, including under water ones. In honor of this, fifteen students from the BNT’s Navigators programme at St. John’s High School, Nassau Christian Academy and Central Andros High successfully completed their PADI SCUBA Open Water Diver course earlier this month.
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