Sandals Foundation takes students on mindfulness nature trail for Earth Day

ST ANN, Jamaica —  Students of Chalky Hill Primary School joined over 300 children across nine Caribbean islands who stepped out of the classroom and into nature this Earth Day, as the Sandals Foundation rolled out a Caribbean-wide guided mindfulness programme designed to build environmental awareness and support mental well-being.

The activity, which took place on the grounds of Sandals Dunn’s River Resort, enabled students to connect directly with the natural ecosystem by engaging in breathing exercises, nature walks, sensory observation, and discussions through the resort’s gardens.

The programme also sought to reinforce the role of nature in healing the body and mind, as well as explore the everyday actions young people can take to protect their natural resources.

“By combining mindfulness with environmental education, we wanted to encourage students to slow down, be present, reflect, and appreciate the beauty of nature which is around them,” said Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation Heidi Clarke

“We also wanted to share with students that sense of responsibility and power they each have to protect their community’s natural resources and the services those resources support,” she added.

Coordinated by Sandals Foundation Ambassadors and led by Ian Spencer, Regional Public Relations Manager, the experience was deeply impactful for the children, organisers said.

“The students responded with tremendous excitement, curiosity, and enthusiasm throughout the nature tour. Seeing them actively engage with the environment, ask thoughtful questions, and develop a greater appreciation for the importance of protecting our planet was truly inspiring. Initiatives like these reinforce the value of experiential learning and the role we all play in nurturing environmentally conscious future leaders,” said Ian Spencer.

Student, Othneil Gayle spoke of his experience with excitement. “I loved being part of the Earth Day nature tour at Sandals Dunn’s River because I learned how important plants, animals, and clean water are to our world. It was exciting to explore nature with my classmates, and now I want to help keep the Earth clean and beautiful for everyone,” said Othneil.

Principal of Chalky Hill Primary School Christine Badal McBeansaid, “Earth Day is more than a celebration—it is a reminder that our children are the future guardians of our planet. Our nature tour allowed students the opportunity to connect with nature, appreciate the beauty of our environment, and understand the importance of protecting it for generations to come. Experiences like these inspire young minds to become responsible, environmentally conscious citizens”.

More than 300 students across Antigua, Barbados, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, Curacao, and Jamaica visited national parks, mangrove forests, Beaches Resorts gardens, and or national conservation areas, fostering a disengagement from digital devices and allowing time to decompress and connect with nature.

On April 17, the philanthropic organisation also mobilised over 40 team members from Sandals Ochi Beach Resort and the Jamaica Fire Brigade to spearhead the planting of 300 trees within the Bogue ll Forest Reserve.

The first of an islandwide commitment under the Forestry Department’s recently launched RE-LEAF programme, the national reforestation initiative aims to restore degraded landscapes and strengthen the natural barriers affected following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Across the Caribbean, the Sandals Foundation takes part in a wide range of conservation work, engaging 177,526 people in environmental education, planting 28,117 trees, outplanting 38,156 corals, investing in programmes that monitor the safe hatch of 221,392 sea turtles, and supporting 23 marine and terrestrial protected areas.