J.A.M.I.N. Student Voices

August 2, 2018

Written by Amy Heemsoth

Previously, you heard the voice of the students in our B.A.M. program. Now it’s time to hear how the students in Jamaica feel about our J.A.M.I.N. program.

Year 1 Program

“My favorite part of the J.A.M.I.N. program is when I actually got to visit the site where some of Jamaica’s beautiful mangroves are. I believe seeing them in person helped me to learn a lot.” – Daniesia Eccleston, William Knibb High School

“I’d like to say how grateful I am to be in this program. I am not longer ignorant about mangroves. I know their purpose, importance, and how lucky I am to have them. Without this project, I wouldn’t even know what these trees are nor, would I care for them.” – Jada Jackson, William Knibb High School

“This program has made me realize how my behavior affects mangroves.” – Rae-Anna Orie, William Knibb High School

“I learned that mangroves are being harmed every day and we are responsible for this. We must take care of them and preserve the for future generations.” – Owen Robinson, William Knibb High School

Year 2 Program

“This program is great! It allows us to feel like scientists doing our own experiments.” – Renaldo Campbell, William Knibb High School

“I really hope that you all continue on with this project because it is very important for us to know about our mangroves and to know that they are important to us and our country.” – Trisha Beckford, William Knibb High School

“Thank you for coming to William Knibb Memorial High School and giving us this wonderful experience. I didn’t know about mangroves until you and now I appreciate them, and I’ll continue to share this information with my family members.” – Shadena Francis, William Knibb High School

“I think that the J.A.M.I.N. program is very educational. It teachers not only about mangroves, but it also gives us a feeling of wanting to care more for the environment.” – Joby-Kay Evans, William Knibb High School

From Dialogue to Action: Ocean Foundations Gather in Stockholm

What can philanthropy accomplish when foundations working across ocean science, conservation, and sustainable development come together around a shared purpose?

That question was at the heart of the 6th UN Ocean Decade Foundations Dialogue, held September 7–9 in Stockholm, Sweden. The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation joined philanthropic organizations from around the world for three days of discussion, collaboration, and planning focused on accelerating progress during the second half of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

Facilitated by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), the UN Ocean Decade Foundations Dialogue is a growing network of more than 30 philanthropic organizations committed to advancing ocean science, collaboration, and action. Since its creation within the framework of the Ocean Decade, the Dialogue has provided foundations with a space to exchange ideas, develop partnerships, and explore how philanthropy can help advance a healthy and resilient ocean.

Hosted by the Voice of the Ocean Foundation (VOTO), this year’s gathering began with From Depth to Action, an Opening Forum that brought nearly 100 leaders from the Swedish and international ocean community together at…

Meet IFAN: Helping Bring Navigate with Care to the Next Generation

If you’ve ever seen a lighthouse flashing from the shore or a brightly colored buoy bobbing in the water, you’ve seen Aids to Navigation at work.

Aids to Navigation, often called AtoNs, help mariners navigate safely. They can mark channels, warn of hazards, help vessels determine their position, and provide other information people need to make safe decisions on the water. Around the world, these systems help guide everything from small recreational boats to large commercial or container ships.

But safe navigation isn’t only about protecting vessels and the people aboard them. The choices mariners make can also affect the animals and ecosystems beneath and around them.

That connection between maritime safety and ocean conservation is at the heart of this year’s Science Without Borders® Challenge—and of our partnership with this year’s theme sponsor, the International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN).