Meet Kiesha the Mermaid ? the latest weapon in the battle to help preserve Bermuda?s environment for future generations.

Keisha was unveiled at the Aquarium, Museum and Zoo this week and she has already got a big thumbs-up from youngsters.

At a ceremony attended by Works Minister David Burch, new Environment Minister Randy Horton and Kiesha?s creator, Pastor Daron Lowe ? as well as Kiesha herself ? the mermaid was hailed as a vital addition to BAMZ?s educational team.

An animated DVD and a special colouring book, all starring the mermaid and her clean, green message, aim to raise awareness of environmental issues with children. They will be available at the Flatts animal base next week. And DVDs will be given to local Government pre and primary schools.

Robert Steinhoff, president of the Bermuda Zoological Society, said that Kiesha?s journeys of discovery would ?capture the minds and hearts? of the Island?s youngsters.

?She will spread the important messages of how the seas, the land, their creatures and humans co-exist,? added the president. ?Students will learn about virtues like co-operation, patience, tolerance in race (through) to awareness and protection of the local environment.?

Praising Pastor Lowe for his creativity, he said that he believed the new eco-friendly mascot will be a ?Bermudian icon, synonymous with conservation of our environment?.

The brains behind the mermaid said the story first started to be developed in 2003, inspired by his daughter Patience.

He told how Kiesha enjoys swimming and Bermuda?s natural environment. When she sleeps, Kiesha imagines becoming a mermaid, while also possessing an ?amazing? imagination which helps as she goes about solving a host of problems.

He added: ?It is while Kiesha is dreaming that she discovers many adventures and brings awareness to the hazards caused through everyday living and the effects they have on the beautiful waters of her Island, Kiesha?s underwater garden.?

After initial attempts to get the adventures published in book form, Pastor Lowe approached Elmore Warren, at Fresh TV, and the project ?took on a new life?.

The creator said that the mermaid naturally complimented Government policies on the environment and recycling.

Minister Burch said he was impressed with the creativity of Pastor Lowe and Mr. Warren when they presented the mermaid concept to him. He said that her message was timely as the fight to keep trash levels down continued.

?We as a country generate far too much trash,? he said. ?We simply cannot continue at this alarming rate and I am of the belief that education is key to raising awareness and thus reducing waste generation.?

Minster Horton thanked the creative team behind the multimedia project, which he said would ?capture the attention and imagination of children everywhere?.

Marilyn Starling, a member of the zoo?s education team, said the DVD had already proved a hit with youngsters aged three to five, from the Happy Moments Pre-School.

?It?s the perfect level for that aged group. They really enjoyed it. When they saw a moray eel they called out to Kiesha.?

The project was funded by the zoo, Works and Engineering and the Environment Ministry, which each put in $25,000.

A zoo spokesman said that Kiesha was being incorporated into its education programmes, and would be making special appearances at events.

The first DVD ? featuring three stories ? will be followed by another ten stories now in development.