Seeing a former student grow into a passionate advocate for the environment is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. Still, nothing compares to the joy of welcoming that former student as a colleague. So, when I learned that Brad Cooper, who had once been part of our Bahamas Awareness of Mangroves (B.A.M.) program, was joining Friends of the Environment as an Education Officer, I was thrilled.

Brad was part of the B.A.M. cohort back in 2018-2019. His enthusiasm for the program left a lasting impression on me. I often tell students that while I may not remember every name, I always recognize their faces—and when I saw Brad recently, I recognized him right away. Now he’s back, not as a student, but as a dedicated environmental educator, ready to inspire the next generation alongside me and Friends of the Environment’s Outreach Coordinator Lyndeisha Curry.

In his first year with B.A.M., Brad immersed himself in the program’s hands-on learning experiences. One of his most memorable moments was planting a mangrove in the mud. Reflecting on that experience, he once said, “My favorite part of the project was being able to walk in the mud and plant my mangrove because it made me feel as though I was helping my environment.” Those moments sparked something in him, a sense of purpose that has now grown into a career goal. Today, he’s studying Environmental Science at The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI), aiming to become an ecologist.

Brad’s passion for mangroves and environmental stewardship has been unshakable. As a student, he was deeply concerned about the threats mangroves face. “I feel as though we should learn more about how we can help mangroves thrive in the Bahamas and how we affect them,” he said. That early interest in understanding and protecting mangroves has now transformed into a professional commitment.

Now, as we work side by side to educate B.A.M. students about mangrove ecosystems, I feel fortunate to witness Brad’s journey come full circle. The same spark he felt as a young student has grown into a dedication that will inspire countless others to protect and restore these vital habitats. Brad’s story reinforces what we strive to achieve through B.A.M.: to plant seeds of environmental stewardship that will grow and flourish.

I can’t wait to see the impact Brad will have, and I know that the students will be just as inspired by him as he once was by the B.A.M. program. Welcome back, Brad—B.A.M. is lucky to have you!