ST. EUSTATIUS--Following the successes of previous ambassadors from Jamaica and Barbados, Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute (CNSI) welcomed its third Youth Ambassador for Nature to St. Eustatius last week.\n\n
Tara Francis is a two-time graduate of St. George’s University in Grenada. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master’s in Public Health with specifications in environmental studies.\n\n
She is involved in several environmental and humanitarian non-governmental organisations, one of which is Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN).\n\n
The packed week of activities kicked off at Bethel Methodist School where pupils of all ages learned about different aspects of biodiversity and ecology, with lessons and activities prepared for each age group.\n\n
Pupils learned about different ecosystems, the water cycle, and food chains/webs through interactive presentations, videos and games, which were also presented at Governor de Graaff, Seventh Day Adventist and Statia Terminal primary schools, as well as to after-school pupils.\n\n
On Thursday, Francis and CNSI’s Hannah Madden featured on FYI radio show where they informed listeners about the ongoing school visits, as well as a discussion about the CYEN and CNSI’s nature-awareness project.\n\n
Afterwards, it was for Gwendoline van Putten (GvP) high-school students to learn about the topic, culminating in playing “Biodiversity Jeopardy,” which everyone enjoyed.\n\n
Francis was also a speaker at CNSI’s monthly Science Café, where besides highlighting her role within the Grenada chapter of CYEN, she also gave a brief insight into her work in Grenada.\n\n
On Friday, more than 100 GvP students attending science teacher Froukje Spoelma’s classes, went on a field trip near the school, where they played “Biodiversity Bingo.” The aim was to spot as many flora/fauna species as possible, such as hummingbird, grass, lizard and butterfly, to win a small prize.\n\n
Despite the rainy conditions, the students participated enthusiastically and were eager to check off as many items as they could.\n\n
“As a teacher and we as GvP school, are very content with the cooperation with CNSI. By doing this, students learn so much more about their own environment and the other islands. I hope the cooperation will continue. We all benefit from it,” Spoelsma stated.\n\n
Youth ambassadors for nature are just one component of CNSI’s nature-awareness project, which began in October 2016, and will continue until 2019. The overall aim is to provide information and facilitate awareness-raising campaigns on various issues, such as invasive and keynote species, roaming animals, erosion, biodiversity, the economic value of nature, sustainability and the importance of nature in general.\n\n
The project is aimed at the entire island community and civil servants, managers, customs officers, students and teachers, more specifically.\n\n
CNSI extended their gratitude to Francis for preparing and implementing the lesson plans and for successfully engaging with Statia’s students. Funds permitting, CNSI will bring another youth ambassador to the island in the new academic year.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/76148-cnsi-hosts-third-youth-ambassador-for-nature"
