NEWS

Celebrating Eco-Schools Bermuda

Jul 10, 2023 | News

The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) is thrilled to celebrate the remarkable achievement of five schools in Bermuda, as they have received the prestigious internationally recognized Green Flag award through the Eco-Schools Bermuda programme. This recognition showcases their unwavering commitment to sustainability and highlights the positive impact of student-led initiatives. Click HERE to watch their flag raising ceremonies.


“Eco-Schools Bermuda is proud to award these five schools the highest level of recognition for their outstanding dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to the entire community,” says Joanne Ball-Burgess, BUEI Programme Educator and Eco-Schools Coordinator. BUEI is the National Operator of the Eco-Schools Bermuda programme.


The five schools who proudly raised their Eco-School Green Flags were: Victor Scott Primary Francis Patton Primary, Harrington Sound Primary, Warwick Academy and Bermuda High School. Eco-Schools Bermuda, facilitated by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), is a leading environmental education programme that collaborates with local schools to establish student-led eco-clubs dedicated to driving sustainable change. Notably, Bermuda is one of seventy-three countries actively promoting this action-based sustainable school initiative. On the island, this programme spans all levels, from pre-schools and primary schools to Bermuda College, with public schools alone contributing to over sixty percent of its engagement. In honor of World Oceans Day, participating schools were invited to the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) on June 8th and 9th, to commemorate the exceptional sustainable efforts carried out by their student-led Eco-Clubs. Among the eighteen schools recognized this year, their sustainability projects encompassed a wide range of initiatives, such as school gardens and waste and litter minimization.


Karla Lacey, BUEI CEO said, β€œAt BUEI, we believe in two things, learning and doing. The Eco-Schools Bermuda programme is a shining example of this principle. It has been rewarding to observe the growth of this programme over the past four years. Receiving these awards is a huge accomplishment and a testament to the students and educators who wholeheartedly embraced a call to environmental action.” To effectively support schools along their sustainability pathways, Eco-Schools Bermuda works closely with a group of esteemed Delivery Partners. These partners, including Koom Consulting, Keep Bermuda Beautiful, Waste Management Bermuda, Bermuda National Trust, Department of Parks, Beyond Plastic Bermuda, Bermuda Zoological Society, BUEI and several others, provide invaluable expertise and guidance. This collaborative approach is vital in building a greener and more sustainable future for generations to come.


In addition to the dedicated efforts of schools and Delivery Partners, Eco-Schools Bermuda would like to extend its gratitude to Butterfield Bank, The Centennial Foundation, Garden Club of Bermuda and Sirius Point for their generous support throughout the year. Their assistance with the programme has been instrumental in empowering schools and students to create positive environmental change in Bermuda. With its role as the National Operator for the Eco-Schools Bermuda programme since 2019, BUEI has overseen its growth to include more than twenty local schools across the island. This accomplishment underscores the program’s positive impact on the community and its dedication to fostering a culture of sustainability among Bermuda’s youth. To learn how you can support this programme, visit the Join & Support page on our website.


Additional Eco-School Awardees


Green Shoot Award:
Somerset Primary


Green Seed Award:
Prospect Preschool
Elliott Primary
West Pembroke
West End Primary
Paget Primary
Purvis Primary
Sandy’s Middle School


2022 – 2023 Participation Awards:
Whitney Middle School
Bermuda Homeschool Network
Chatmore International School
Berkeley Institute
Bermuda College