The Caribbean’s natural wonders captivate the world, from lush rainforests to vibrant reefs, shaping an iconic landscape cherished for its beauty and biodiversity. Yet, beyond its allure to tourists lies a deeper significance: these ecosystems are the bedrock of our culture, heritage, and community resilience. Against the backdrop of a global push for sustainable solutions, the need to safeguard our natural treasures grows ever more urgent.
In recognition of the outstanding efforts driving regional conservation, the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) introduced the Biodiversity Excellence Award for Caribbean Heroes (BEACH Award) in 2023. Named after Mrs. Eleanor Garraway-Phillips and Dr. Jens Mackensen, founding members of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund Board of Directors, this biennial accolade honors individuals and organizations shaping the Caribbean’s conservation landscape.
The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund BEACH Awards: Celebrating Pioneers
On July 28, 2023, World Nature Conservation Day, the inaugural BEACH Awards were announced as Dr. Judith Gobin for the individual award and Reef Check Dominican Republic for the organizational award.
An internationally recognized marine scientist with over 40 years of experience, Dr. Gobin has contributed to global discussions on ocean conservation and the sustainable use of marine resources. She advances our understanding of Caribbean marine biodiversity while also nurturing the next generation of conservationists as the first female Professor in Life Sciences at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad.
Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Dr. Gobin emphasized the urgency of current conservation efforts for the future of our islands and our people.
“Protection and conservation of our biodiversity has never been more important than it is now. The conservation measures implemented today will impact future generations within the Caribbean and the world. As I accept this aptly named CBF BEACH Award, I am honored to be recognized for my contributions to our region’s conservation and sustainability.”
Echoing those sentiments, Reef Check Dominican Republic’s founder Dr. Ruben Torres said, “As we look to the future, our vision becomes clearer every day — a Caribbean where marine biodiversity is plentiful, where our actions are guided by sustainability, and where every community plays a role, and benefits, from the sustainable management of our natural resources.”
Established in 2004, Reef Check Dominican Republic collaborates with local partners to conserve coastal marine resources, enhance innovative tourism opportunities that incentivize and promote conservation, providing blueprints for implementation for other Caribbean communities.
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Recognizing Continued Excellence
The BEACH Awards will set a new standard for recognizing Caribbean excellence in conservation across the region, while shining a light on the positive impacts these projects are having and how they could be potentially emulated at a larger scale. Applications for the next set of BEACH Awards will take place in 2025, which provides everyone with an opportunity to keep an eye out and nominate local projects, practitioners, and researchers you have seen impact your community.
“Our inaugural BEACH Awardees have seamlessly met the CBF’s benchmarks,” Caribbean Biodiversity Fund Chair Mrs. Karolin Troubetzkoy proudly noted at the awards ceremony, “their passion inspires optimism for a sustainable and thriving Caribbean future.” The future is indeed bright for the Caribbean as nature takes centerstage as a tool for economic development. We are only as strong as the environment around us, and thanks to the contributions of Dr. Gobin and Dr. Torres, we have a strong foundation to build on.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of Impakter.com — In the Cover Photo: A brown booby soars above the water, hunting for fish off the coast of Haiti. Cover Photo Credit: Cole Marshall.
