Gail Woon is the founder of EARTHCARE, a Bahamas-based environmental education NGO founded in 1988. The organization focuses on youth education, empowerment, and involvement in pertinent climate and marine issues through various projects such as beach cleanups, citizen science projects that promote environmental awareness, and mangrove restoration efforts.
When asked about her inspiration behind a life involved with marine conservation, education, and NGO leadership in the Bahamas, Gail recalls her love for the ocean stemming from her fascination with nature and marine life because of a childhood spent on her uncles’ boats and gathering tadpoles.
Gail grew up in the Bahamas with deep ties to the region—as her grandfather and father practically laid the framework for the city of Freeport.
Later in life, this initial love for the water and land would lead her to become a marine biologist, with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Technology and Aquaculture and an Associate of Science in Oceanographic Technology from the Florida Institute of Technology. Alongside this impressive collection of accolades includes a fellowship on climate change from Cornell University and a diploma in International Environmental Law from the UN Institute.
In 1988, Gail’s accomplishments and on-the-ground expertise would spring her to start EARTHCARE with a group of passionate volunteers. The organization’s origin story begins when a teacher at a local school invited Gail to speak to second graders about the ozone layer after her work in Australia and was subsequently invited back to assist in the curriculum shaping of environmental topics to the younger generation.
25 years later, in 2013, Gail launched the EARTHCARE EcoKids Program—a Saturday program that educates kids on topics ranging from invasive species to habitat remediation to sustainable fisheries, and everything in between. The day would begin with a short yet critical lesson, followed by an engaging field trip to reinforce the subject matter. This exciting program has inspired many students to pursue a career in the environmental field and assist in the conservation efforts of the Bahamas.
Why? “Because the future is bleak”.
For the past three years, Gail has been the most worried about the planet we’re leaving to the children regarding climate change and environmental degradation.
“We need to get the youth to realize this is something they need to adapt to and be resilient about. The adults left a hot mess,” says Gail.
In her own life, Gail has also experienced personal hardships with the devastating consequences of climate-related disasters.
Having been homeless not once, not twice, but three times due to climate changed hurricanes, Gail has witnessed some of the worst unimaginable truths the future (and present) holds.
“The hardest part was having to be strong for everyone else. I had to pretend like everything was okay when really, everything was falling apart, and I was freaking out on the inside.”
When she was made homeless during the first hurricane, Gail was with her grandmother, mother, and daughter. Her daughter was just a toddler.
Climate disasters are the worst possible wake-up calls to the conditions of the planet we live in, and are leaving to the next generation.
However, Gail has had to overcome this reality three times.
In her mission and vision with EARTHCARE, Gail is dedicated to educating kids on environmental truths and hopes that they want to act on it themselves.
More importantly, Gail wants the kids to know that there IS hope, but not without community action.
From Monday to Friday, Gail splits her time with two other remote jobs. On the weekend, she is a Green Hero championing awareness amongst the younger generation in the Bahamas on marine education and conservation.
Three years ago, Hurricane Dorian left 70% of the island underwater, killing a vast majority of native plants due to unbalanced saline levels.
Gail’s current project works with Ph.D. Professors from the University of the Bahamas to restore and monitor the Caribbean pines three years after Dorian sabotaged freshwater lands.
Since 1981, Gail’s public speaking dexterity has carried her to local and international television, discussing environmental and fisheries issues. She has given over 40 presentations to schools on various islands in The Bahamas and has secured multiple grants from organizations that agree with EARTHCARE’s mission to inform the youth about their future.
Her advice to us?
Keep pushing. Keep learning about the world we live in.
“No matter what country you’re in, check for scholarship opportunities. Universities have resources—find a mentor, network as much as possible to get your name out there, and ask people for help.”
Advice taken.
