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Marli Spriggs Year 8, Warwick Academy
Published Jun 14, 2018 at 8:00 am (Updated Jun 14, 2018 at 1:28 am)

Environmental study: Warwick Academy's Eco Club students on Trunk Island

Warwick Academy’s Eco Club students Luke Foster, Grace Flannery, Katya Williamson, Jibril Taylor, Isabel Hughes, Roxy Crockwell-Laurent and Rip Crockwell-Laurent), enjoyed a joyful and enlightening trip to Trunk Island, Harrington Sound. The trip was guided by Dr David Wingate.

The purpose of this conservation trip was to build igloos for the longtail bird, which has been troubled by hurricanes, predators and erosion.

The day started at 8.30am by catching a boat called the Castilla, which was directed by Captain Trevor, from Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo.

Before heading to Trunk Island, they stopped at Rabbit Island, which is an extremely successful breeding ground for longtail birds.

The students were in their element and in awe at the progress the island had made over time. Dr Wingate shared some interesting facts about the project and shared his knowledge to the budding generation of conservationists.

Once their on-boat lesson was over and they reached Trunk Island, they received another lesson inside a classroom on the island.

This was an essential part of the learning process about the installation of longtail igloos and helped. The group thoroughly enjoyed the exclusive lesson and picked up more than a few skills to assist them.

Isabel said the lesson was “a good experience to learn how to build a longtail enclosure so you can build some more when you’re older”.

Jibril said: “We found it very enlightening and interesting”.

Roxy also found the experience “awesome” and “really interesting”.

After the lesson, the group jumped into action to start their mission of installing two longtail igloos.

They made an instructional video on how to install the igloo and then took a well-deserved break before finishing their work.

The weather wasn’t completely on their side but they managed to get everything done. At lunch, there was a delicious potluck-style barbecue followed by swimming and lessons on invasive and indigenous plants.

The lucky bunch want to thank Dr Wingate for guiding them on this educational experience, Captain Trevor for delivering them safely and Ms Rosland Wingate for inviting them out and organising the trip.

Warwick Academy’s conservation trip was a complete and absolute success; surely the group would do it all again if they could.