A new way of sharing with young people the wonders of Bermuda’s environment and the importance of protecting the Island’s natural treasures is generating enthusiasm in schoolrooms and boardrooms.Primary school youngsters are being given their own individual copies of the documentary DVD ‘Bermuda — Nature’s Jewel’ thanks to corporate donors and individuals.Many schools received a single copy of the educational aid last year, now hundreds of the DVDs are being distributed through schools to allow students to own their own copy, which they can take home to watch and share with their parents and siblings.Bermuda Environmental Alliance co-founder Philip Butterfield said the BEA was using its ability to leverage visual medium to produce environmental shows that were educational and engaging for young people.HSBC Bermuda is a platinum sponsor of the BEA and Mr Butterfield, who is CEO of the bank, visited TN Tatem Primary School to help distribute 62 copies of the DVD to students. Other companies and individuals have made similar gestures to ensure that children at 13 primary schools on the Island have been given a similar opportunity. It is hoped the programme will be expanded to include more schools.The DVD contains six half-hour documentary shows centred on Bermuda covering the topics of rainwater roof catchment, cahows, the Island’s caves, sea algae, trash reduction and the Cooper’s Island regeneration project. The shows are expanded versions of a miniseries that was broadcast in 2011 by the Discovery Channel Canada.“One of the objectives of the Bermuda Environmental Alliance was to raise awareness and educate Bermuda about the environment. We thought, if we could impact young people, and children in particular, then there was a high probability we would have more success, “ explained Mr Butterfield.He said he was sure the youngsters receiving the DVDs would become advocates for the environment, adding: “I grew up not knowing enough about our natural environment, so it gives me great satisfaction to know that students have this opportunity.“These young kids are going to have a permanent record that will make them better informed about our environment. The more we can do that, the more we can ensure a commitment to the environment,” said Mr Butterfield. “If we don’t act our future will not be as we want it to be.”He praised the companies and individuals who, despite the challenging economic times, had given support to the initiative. He encouraged others to get involved, adding it was a great way to gain positive recognition. And he thanked Sangita Iyer, the BEA’s founding executive officer and documentary filmmaker, along with his other BEA colleagues and volunteers, for making the initiative possible.Ms Iyer, the BEA’s chief executive founder, said: “I think what really resonates with the students when they watch ‘Bermuda — Nature’s Jewel’ is that they feel emotionally connected with the stories, so framing the stories in a manner that helps make those connections has been the hallmark of our series.“It’s really important to help our children realise at a young age, that what they do today will determine the long term consequences and the health of our planet. They need to understand that the economic and social collapses we’re experiencing in our world is directly linked with the depletion of natural resources.”She added: “I thank our sponsors, such as the HSBC, Bacardi and BF&M, without whom we would not be able to carry out our mission. I’m truly grateful that Phil (Butterfield) believed in this mission and because of his support and HSBC’s sponsorship ‘Bermuda — Nature’s Jewel’ became a reality. Without his wisdom and guidance the BEA would not be where it is today.”