The Tobago Cays Marine Park (TCMP) Summer Programme has been a hit with students.{{more}}

The programme hosted from August 16-20 for students of Union Island, was held under the theme “Building Future Conservation Leaders”.

It was staged with 25 students whose ages ranged from 12 to 16.

The overarching objectives of the TCMP’s summer programme were to promote environmental stewardship among Union Island’s student population and to create awareness on the importance of protecting and preserving the natural resources for future generations.

During the summer programme, students learnt about waste management, sea turtle ecology, coral reef ecology and the importance of marine protected areas.

They also learnt about the local conservation initiatives carried out by environmental organizations on Union Island.

Students worked in small groups to produce posters highlighting underwater life and presented their posters to student participants and staff of the TCMP.

The students also received daily swimming lessons from the coach of St. Vincent’s national team. The summer programme culminated with a trip to the Tobago Cays Marine Park on a catamaran where students participated in a beach cleanup and practiced their new swimming skills.

One participant commented: “I never knew that there is so much life underwater! It gives me a new appreciation for the ocean.”

The TCMP summer programme’s coordinator Lesroy Noel commented: “We believe that the summer programme was a great success and are hoping that we will be able to host a summer programme for the students of Union Island every year.”

The TCMP’s summer programme was made possible through generous donations from local businesses and community members from Union Island and St. Vincent.