The Bermuda National Trust will celebrate Earth Day on April 22 with a new collection of videos about Bermuda’s environment, compiled by local students.

Pupils will research, interview, film and present their views on the way local residents’ actions impact the environment, and will put forward recommendations for a greener lifestyle.

“The Bermuda National Trust, along with our sponsor Marshall, Diel and Myers, encourages our youth to put modern technologies into play as they create environmental videos expressing their concerns for today and their vision for tomorrow,” said a Trust statement.

“We are inviting all students to participate in this year’s Earth Day Student Video Competition. They are encouraged to showcase their creativity, innovation and commitment to our natural and cultural heritage as well as to the future of the planet.

“Students can work individually, as a group or as part of a science/technology class, to create a two to four minute video. The video should relate to one of the following themes: ‘Remarkable Trees’, ‘Local Food’, ‘What Does Earth Day Mean to You?’, ‘Getting Out Into Nature’ or ‘The Ocean Around Us’.”

The Trust has put forward the following ideas which might help the students to choose a topic for their video:

•Remarkable Trees

Bermuda has many magnificent trees growing along road sides, in parks and on residential properties. Search for these trees and research their names and botanical characteristics. Ask questions such as: Where did they come from and why are they important for the island, its people, animals and plants? What is the value of our trees?

•Local Food

Today we have more imported and locally produced food choices than ever before. Research the food produced in Bermuda. You might want to interview friends and family about their food shopping and cooking. Is local food more expensive than imported food? How are the local farmers and fishermen doing economically in Bermuda? What are the traditional dishes of Bermuda? Why is it more environmentally friendly to eat locally produced food?

•Getting Out Into Nature

Go for a walk or hike and record Bermuda‘s beautiful landscapes, plant and animal life. How do you feel when you spend time in nature, when you go for a walk and switch off from mobile devices? Think about how people are connecting with the great outdoors? What are your favourite places in Bermuda and why?

•The Ocean Around Us

Bermuda is surrounded by the Sargasso Sea. Research the importance of it and its floating Sargassum Seaweed Community. You may want to interview a Marine Biologist and get his/her view too and discuss ways to clean and protect our oceans. Another topic could focus on the value of Bermuda’s reefs or the plastic debris that is polluting the oceans.

If you are interested, contact the Bermuda National Trust by e-mail education@bnt.bm and browse www.bnt.bm/education to view videos submitted in previous years. Registration ideas for videos and guidelines are also listed on the webpage.

The deadline for registration has been extended to February 24 and the deadline for submittal is April 7 (education@bnt.bm). Submitted videos will be screened at a mini film festival day before Earth Day (April 21), and will be featured through the Bermuda National Trust’s website and on local television.

“We encourage our youth to participate and Bermuda to listen to the voices of tomorrow, the future environmental stewards of our island home,” added the statement.

For more information, contact Dr Dorte Horsfield at 236-6483 or e-mail dhorsfield@bnt.bm