Reef Ball Project at Paradise Cove

In 2013 I was in a sustainable tourism committee meeting in Freeport, Grand Bahama when I met Barry Smith, who runs the popular tourist destination on our island called Paradise Cove/Deadman's Reef. Barry was starting an artificial coral reef project to replenish the shoreline and enhance the fish and coral populations at his location. I  made arrangements to visit the site to write a story about his project  for my local environmental column. Little did I know that this project would ignite a new level of passion inside of me. The project is absolutely fascinating and it has now evolved into a living classroom for students of all ages and  a source of data for ongoing research. 

International Coastal Clean (ICC) Ups

Every September The Ocean Conservancy organizes the International Coastal Clean Up event. This initiative is one of the largest environmental volunteer events in the world. I am proud to say that for over 15 years I have had the opportunity to be a site leader for this special  event in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and for the past several years on Grand Bahama. Together with hundreds of other volunteers, we have rid our shorelines of thousands of pieces of unnatural debris. 

Working With Local Youths

For me, one of the largest blessings in my life is the opportunity to work with children and teach them about nature. The gift of seeing a child's eyes when he or she sees their first fish or coral while snorkeling, or the genuine excitement of witnessing a child jumping into a blue hole for the first time, are gifts that money cannot buy. Being able to mentor children and witness them grow  into responsible adults with ethical values towards the planet and a true passion for the natural environment is truly one of the best jobs on earth.