THE annual Bermuda National Trust Awards ceremony saw 37 awards given out last Thursday to honour those individuals, schools and organisations that have demonstrated commitment to preserving Bermuda's natural environment.

Among those awarded, eight schools were highlighted for their service to the community by initiating projects that exhibited care of the environment or preservation of Bermuda's heritage, both natural and man-made.

"All of the schools had their own focus and this was most commendable," said Government Minister Dale Butler who was a presenter at the awards ceremony as well as being a member of the Bermuda National Trust. "Everyone present was pleased to see so many schools in attendance because it means the message is getting through and that the Trust has a future."

The schools celebrated last week included The Education Centre, the Gilbert Institute, the Bermuda High School, Prospect Primary, Port Royal Primary, Elliot Primary, East End Primary and St. George's Preparatory School.

Receiving top honour in the School Programme award category and recipient of the Michael Darling Shield was St. George's Preparatory School for their fund raising efforts for the "Buy Back Bermuda" Campaign, a collaborative initiative between the Bermuda Audubon Society and the Bermuda National Trust that aims to purchase natural open space in Bermuda. Having raised more than $5,000 by holding bake sales and hot dog lunches as well as participating in the St. George's Corporation Clean-Up Day, the school has a new target of $10,000 by the end of the summer term.

The Education Centre was awarded for growing produce utlising farmable land located behind the school office. One of the Centre's retired teachers supervises a group of students and the bounty from the garden is shared among the staff and students or sold in the community as part of fundraising activities.

Two environmental clubs at the Gilbert Institute were commended for inspiring students to think environmentally. The Garden Club encourages students to plant and tend their own edible garden, while the Green Kids Club promotes sound environmental habits at school, at home and within students' neighbourhoods.

Part of the Round Square Programme, a worldwide association of 60 schools that have a shared commitment to certain educational ideals, including the health of the environment, the Bermuda High School was honoured for encouraging environmental awareness and sustainable practices locally and globally. BHS has established a school-wide recycling programme for tins, aluminium, glass, batteries, wrapping paper, styrofoam, plastic containers, newspaper and egg cartons in order to implement the re-use of these products. The group recently gave a presentation about their programme in India in 2007 and currently partner with a school in Thailand to foster environmental best practices in their communities.

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The P6 students at Prospect Primary received recognition for actively learning about the Bluebird population on the island and about invasive plants that threaten the local ecosystem. The students have erected Bluebird boxes on school property and are learning about the dangers that the birds face. The group was also commended for studying eradication methods of invasive plants in Bermuda and being a role model of sound environmental practices for the younger students at the school.

As a result of their "Discover Bermuda, Feel the Love" social studies fair, the Port Royal Primary School was awarded for their contribution to the environment. The fair highlighted projects focused on the environment, landscapes, ecosystems and protection of natural resources. The school hosted a series of educational assemblies and conducted fundraising activities for the 'Buy Back Bermuda' Campaign.

In their ongoing effort to become a 'green school', Elliot Primary was commended for several programmes it has developed, including the adoption of Penhurst Park where students installed Bluebird boxes and planted trees and flowers. The school also holds school trash-a-thons throughout the community, organises their Plant Harvest project and promotes their school-wide recycling programme.

East End Primary was applauded for developing school programmes that reflect sound environmental practices, including establishing a robust butterfly garden and a mini nature reserve on the school grounds where invasive plants have been removed and replaced with endemic plants. The students also grow vegetables in their own organic garden in addition to their square-foot and container gardens.

The School Programme award category is an important one, states Minister Butler: "Having the awards with adults gave both groups an insight into the tremendous amount of work that is being done in Bermuda."

The National Trust also honoured two local students with the Outstanding Young Environmentalist Award.

Emily Nagel, an M3 student at Somersfield Academy was nominated for her concern for the environment. At her school, Ms Nagel started an Environmental Club, has spoken about environmental issues at assemblies and promotes energy and paper-saving practices on school grounds. She also attends meetings of an island-wide group of young activists and continues to raise awareness within the school and among her peers about the environment.

Ronisha Smith, an 11-year-old, Sandys Secondary Middle School student was recognised for her dedication and commitment to Keep Bermuda Beautiful (KBB), an organisation focused on stopping the proliferation of litter and other environmental conditions damaging to the beauty of Bermuda. Ms Smith has attended every KBB clean up and has been commended by the Director of KBB, Rich Lathan, as a rode model that brings a fearless and can-do attitude to every task.

Tania Stafford, the education officer at the Bermuda National Trust, believes that the students awarded at the ceremony are Bermuda's environmental leaders of the future.

"The School awards are a marvellous way to recognise extra-curricular programmes in schools across the island that foster care for the environment in our children. Exciting school programmes develop energised students who truly become spokespeople for Bermuda's natural heritage. Each year more and more programmes are being nominated by the public which demonstrates the growth of environmental awareness in Bermuda's young people," she said.