A number of Island businesses have shown corporate responsibility for the environment and the education of youngsters by supporting the distribution of a locally-filmed environmental DVD to schools.Through sponsorship the companies have increased the number of schools that have copies of the DVD 'Bermuda — Nature's Jewel' to use as education aids.Catlin, HSBC, Bermuda Air Conditioning and Bermuda Pest Control are among the firms to back the initiative, which has been described as the Bermuda Environmental Alliance's (BEA) "most worthwhile to date" by businessman David Ezekiel, who is also the chairman of the environmental organisation."It allows businesses to reach into the schools and to the kids. Not only have the DVDs been distributed in their name, but they have also been able to go to the schools and see how the DVDs are being used and see how the children are energised by receiving them," said Mr Ezekiel. "The DVDs then find their way into the homes of the children and parents tell us how much they have learned from the DVDs. The programme has been a tremendous opportunity for businesses to connect with the community."Chris Schuler, managing director of BAC, said his firm got involved with the project because it was serious about protecting the environment and educating young people. BAC was involved in the distribution of copies of the DVD to the Gilbert Institute last month.Walter Saul, operations manager for Bermuda Pest Control, said: "Bermuda Pest Control holds a firm belief that since our business is supported by the community, we have a moral obligation to give back to Bermuda in return (and traditionally, we have always supported organisations that involve the youth of Bermuda). This project was one we knew would be a success, and we wanted to help get the DVDs into the hands of the schoolchildren. We also wanted to help as a corporate donor since Pest Control is an environmentally sensitive issue in the first place."HSBC Bank Bermuda has been a strong supporter of the BEA, which produced the DVDs, helping distribute them in schools in 2011 and purchasing a further 62 copies last year for students and teachers at TN Tatem Middle School. Judy Doidge, HSBC Bank Bermuda Limited, corporate secretary, Senior Management Team said the bank embraced the responsibility of engaging the community in environmental initiatives."The DVD documentary series raises awareness of local environmental issues that impact Bermuda, our home, and the world around us. We hope these documentaries inspire our community to protect and preserve this pristine island for future generations," she said. "HSBC Bermuda was delighted to provide a supply of DVDs to the TN Tatem Middle School students and teachers to use in the classrooms because we believe actively involving young Bermudians in environmental causes, now, will instil in them a sense of responsibility for preserving our world for future generations."The bank, in partnership with the Family Centre, has provided support for TN Tatem for the past five years. It has also been tied in with a number of projects featured in the DVD series, namely the restoration of Cooper's Island, protecting the green space surrounding Nonsuch Island — the Cahow’s nesting ground, and supporting BIOS in its research and exploration of the Island's surrounding oceans.Sangita Iyer, executive director of the BEA, said she was "profoundly grateful" to the corporate sponsors for supporting the programme, which is to be expanded from primary schools into middle and secondary schools. Ms Iyer also thanked Education Minister Nalton Brangman for attending a presentation of the DVDs to the Gilbert Institute in April.