Bermuda Media

After five years the Bermuda Environmental Alliance is closing down and will complete its work early in the new year. With a tougher economic climate making it increasingly difficult to secure funding, the BEA has decided to fulfil its final commitments and bow out. However, its online presence will continue with its website remaining a resource for all to access, featuring many educational environmental video clips that were the mainstay of the BEA’s work.

Bermuda Environmental Alliance has launched its six-part documentary series. Bermuda —Nature’s Jewel with Sangita Iyer, is being distributed to schools across the island. The series explores local environmental stories such as the cahow translocation project, the island’s cave systems  and Bermuda’s water catchment process.

Learning about creatures and places familiar to them is proving to be an engaging way for schoolchildren to discover more about their environment and how they can help to look after it. From the protection of the endangered cahow seabirds to the wonders of the Crystal Caves and Bermuda’s other underwater labyrinths, the response shown by youngsters to a miniseries of documentaries has been encouraging, according Dr Lewellyn Simmons, Director of Academics at the Ministry of Education.

The power of an uplifting message to inspire people to look after the environment was a key ingredient that led to a mini-series of Bermuda-made documentaries airing on Discovery Channel Canada. Visiting the Island for the first time the boss of the Toronto-based TV channel, Paul Lewis, paid tribute to the way the Bermuda Environmental Alliance (BEA) presented shows about Bermuda’s rainwater catching roofs, caves, cahows and biofuel research.

School children on the Island could soon benefit from the launch of six environmental documentary DVDs filmed in Bermuda. The documentaries, four of which have previously featured in an abridged mini-series on Discovery Channel Canada, were created by the Bermuda Environmental Alliance (BEA). Sets of the DVDs are being considered for distribution to schools on the Island as an educational learning aid.

On a scale of one to ten, Bermuda is probably only a four when it comes to looking after her environment and being aware of conservation issues, according to a prominent figure in the Bermuda Environmental Alliance. But bank chief Philip Butterfield is optimistic that will improve with the help of the environmental group’s newest venture four documentaries that will air on TV next week. The Bermuda Environmental Alliance (BEA) will feel it has achieved a key goal if the Island’s people can better appreciate and care for the environment as a result.

Jahmali Bridgewater grew up in a home without a TV and spent a great deal of his time outdoors, exploring the wonders of nature. It led him becoming a remarkable young advocate for the environment. This month the 13-year-old will represent the Island at a United Nations-organised environmental conference in Japan.

The Bermuda Turtle Project, the longest-running study in the world on juvenile green turtles and hawksbill turtles has reached a milestone. And for the first time, the global community will have access to the summary of the biology of these two species, shedding light on this significant stage of their life cycle in Bermuda a safe haven for some of the critically-endangered turtle species.

For the first time since April 20 there’s optimism in the Gulf of Mexico where the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded and killed 11 people. British Petroleum cautiously revealed the good news that oil is no longer gushing into the waters.

Biologist and environmental journalist Sangita Iyer yesterday claimed Bermuda is the perfect place to start implementing alternative energy sources such as biodiesel. Ms Iyer was the guest speaker at the weekly meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club yesterday. She spoke of the Bermuda Environmental Alliance (BEA), an organisation which she helped form. Made up of local charities and environmentalists the BEA is dedicated to preserving Bermuda’s natural beauty and educating the public on environmental issues.

The desire for a more environmentally friendly future – expressed through the hopes of young people – and the interconnectivity of the world, were two abiding sentiments of the Bermuda Environmental Alliance’s ‘Indian Night for Planet Earth’. A performance of the Bollywood ‘Jai Ho’ dance routine from the hit movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ provided a fitting finale to the Indian-themed evening at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel.

The Bermuda Environmental Alliance held a Bollywood style gala at the ­Fairmont Hamilton Princess on Tuesday evening. Sponsors and friends of the alliance were present to celebrate the charity founded by former ZBM news reader ­Sangita Iyer.

It seems like déjà vu for lifelong conservationist and ornithologist Dr. David Wingate, as he drifts back to the late 1960s early 70s, when there was no conventional control of oil pollution. Super oil tankers crossing the Atlantic Ocean carelessly flushed the oil sludge into the sea as they returned empty for another load. “As the amount of oil being shipped was increasing exponentially this practice began to pollute the oceans,” said Dr. Wingate.

A taste of Bollywood is coming to Bermuda as part of the first major fund-raising event for the newly created Bermuda Environmental Alliance. One of the dance routines featured in the hit film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ is to be recreated in the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel. It will be one part of an evening designed to crossover cultural barriers, while also focusing on environmental issues affecting Bermuda and the world.

Remarkable efforts were taken to secure stunning Bermuda underwater cave footage for a four-part mini-series on the Island currently being aired by Discovery Channel Canada. The behind-the-scenes story of how the documentary segments were put together by the newly launched Bermuda Environmental Alliance (BEA) was revealed at a special presentation attended by scientists, environmental experts and Government ministers last week. Each of the five-and-a-half-minute mini-documentaries, which highlight the Island’s caves, cahows, roof rainwater systems and research into ocean algae biofuels, had its own challenges to overcome.

Residents are being asked to run or walk 6K from the Front Street Flagpole on Sunday to experience what it is like for people in developing countries who have to cover that distance every day simply to access drinking water. Bermuda will be joining with 150 countries around the world to promote awareness of global water scarcity, with similar run/walks are staged around the world during a 24-hour period. The event is part of the Dow Live Earth Run For Water, which is being promoted as ‘the largest global water initiative in history aimed at helping the world water crisis.’

Key parts of Bermuda’s environmental story are to be seen by TV viewers across Canada – and potentially further afield – as from this week. The newly created Bermuda Environmental Alliance unveiled its first project yesterday, a four-part miniseries that is being shown on the Discovery Channel Canada network. Those involved believe it will act as a positive showcase for the Island and also help the new group achieve its aim of promoting environmental awareness through media and education.

FORMER Bermuda Broadcasting Company TV anchor Sangita Iyer is back on island to help launch the DVD version of her award-winning television series EnviroShorts. Thirteen 30-minute episodes cover a wide range of topics including open spaces, invasive plants and animals, turtles, caves, mangroves, sewage and water, native and endemic plants, animals, waste disposal, pollution, global warming, alternative energy, farming and fishing, coral reefs, sea grass and sustainable development.

The award-winning environmental documentary series EnviroShorts gets its official launch on DVD this Saturday. And former TV news reporter Sangita Iyer, who created the 13-part series which aired on Channel 7 and Channel 9 last year, will be signing copies of the DVD for members of the public. The Bermuda Audubon Society is hosting the special event at the Bermuda Aquarium and Zoo gift shop between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

The Bermuda Audubon Society will be holding a special launch of the ‘EnviroShorts’ DVD this Saturday at the Bermuda Aquarium and Zoo gift shop from 2pm until 4pm. The DVD contains thirteen 30-minuute programmes packed into a boxed set of three DVDs. Topics include: Turtles, Caves, Mangroves, Animals, Pollution, and Global Warming to name a few. Journalist Sangita Iyer, the producer of the series, will be there to sign copies.

News broadcaster Sangita Iyer has completed her three-year stint as a journalist and anchorwoman at the Bermuda Broadcasting Company. Today, in The Royal Gazette, she speaks at length of her time at the television station, what she has learned about herself and the Island during the past three years, and what the future holds. And she also takes the opportunity to say farewell to viewers and those she has met personally over the years.

Balancing your life and taking care of your body, mind and spirit will be the focus for a speech by ZBM news presenter Sangita Iyer at the 2008 Bermuda Business Women’s Conference on Saturday. Ms Iyer will be talking from first-hand experience of how she maintains a work/life balance through her busy schedule during the ‘Balancing Act – Life 24/7’ session to delegates at the event.

Some familiar faces will be on hand to give Bermuda’s business women advice on how to succeed in their careers at a top conference this week. The 2008 Bermuda Business Women’s Conference and the Inaugural Athena International Award, which will be held at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess on Saturday September 20, will feature everyone from Finance Minister Paula Cox and Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation general manager Michelle Khaldun to ZBM news presenter Sangita Iyer.

One of the most familiar faces on local TV makes her final appearance tonight before leaving the island to head back to Canada.  ZBM reporter Sangita Iyer told the Bermuda Sun that it is time to leave because she is “homesick” and wants to be closer to her family. However, Ms Iyer also spoke of a culture of xenophobic “bullying” she has encountered while doing her job and makes it clear that the island’s gossip-mill has also been a thorn in her side.

If Bermuda’s schoolchildren ever need reminding of how precious their natural surroundings are, and what they can do to protect the environment, they now have the information at their fingertips. A locally-produced environmental TV series has been put onto DVDs and is shortly to be distributed to schools and other groups. Youngsters can now watch again the mesmerising sight of sea turtles gliding through the waters off the coast of Bermuda or peak into the hidden world of the Island’s caves.

Bermuda’s “pre-eminent conservationist” has been honoured with the highest award the Bermuda National Trust gives out — the Silver Palmetto. David Wingate, who is probably best know for his work on making Nonsuch Island resemble ‘old Bermuda’, was given the award at the organisation’s annual meeting and award ceremony at the Botanical Gardens’ Visitor Centre on Thursday night. Jennifer Gray, the new executive director of the Trust and a former recipient of the award in 2004, said the only thing surprising about the honour was that it had not been given to Dr. Wingate before.

A unique 13-part environmental documentary TV series on Bermuda, which comes to an end this evening, has been given a commendation by Senators. The half-hour ‘Enviro Shorts’ shows hit the airwaves last October and have appeared on a fortnightly basis, with each show repeated during the week in between. Originated and presented by news broadcaster Sangita Iyer, the shows covered a wide range of topics from marine wildlife, to pollution, native species, underground caves and coral reefs.

Bermudians are being urged to tune in to an in-depth 13-part environmental documentary series filmed entirely in and around the Island, and thought to be the first of its kind for Bermuda, that starts broadcasting on local TV this week. And the makers of the series hope once viewers have sat back and enjoyed being immersed into the wonders and beauty of the Island they will be inspired to change some of their habits and take steps to protect Bermuda’s natural wealth and beauty for the sake of their children and future generations. It is also intended that once the shows, hosted by news broadcaster Sangita Iyer, have been broadcast they will be turned into DVDs to be distributed to schools and other organisations on the Island as an educational tool, as well as possibly being shown further afield.