Rising Tides 2025 closes out with ceremony at Jungle Bay

The culmination of the 2025 session of the Rising Tides: Youth Environmental Leadership Program was marked by a lively closing ceremony at Jungle Bay. According to the Rising Tides team, the event gathered a diverse group of attendees, including students, local community figures, government officials, and international partners, to honor the efforts and accomplishments of 23 young Dominicans who completed this rigorous summer initiative.

Sky Fishleigh, co-director and lead trainer for the youth program, commenced the event with heartfelt gratitude. She expressed appreciation to Jungle Bay for hosting the ceremony and acknowledged the vital support from various partners that made the program possible.

“This program has been a dream of mine and my Co-Director, Gabrielle Agar, for years. Witnessing what began as the first Rising Tides project—Safe Waves Swim Camp transform into the Environmental Youth Leadership Course has been the greatest honor. But none of this would have been possible without the generous support of our funder, the Government of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), our partner the Dominica Olympic Committee, and our collaborator, the Soufrière Outdoor Center,” shared Fishleigh.

The event featured speeches from notable guests and collaborators, including:

– Giulia Nastase, Second Secretary and Vice Consul at the High Commission of Canada to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, representing CFLI.
– Weston Moses, proprietor of the Soufrière Outdoor Center and lead sea kayak guide.
– Tania Burnette, Capacity Officer at the Dominica Olympic Committee.
– Kerrin Massarueh, founder of BeMore.ag and guest facilitator for workshops.
– Rising Tides alumni Princesse Charles-Mark and Nuria Armour, who shared insights into their personal growth through the program.

Participants who completed the program received various certifications, including Red Cross Standard First Aid and Certificates of Completion for Rising Tides. Special recognition was given to guest facilitators Jeanelle Brisbane (Wild Dominique) and Kerrin Massarueh through honoraria, while flowers of appreciation were presented to the sea kayak guides Sigh and Freddie from the Soufrière Outdoor Center. Program assistants Erica Armstrong, Sonja Wreinick, and Willow Volekert also received acknowledgments for their vital contributions.

Rising Tides shared that this year’s curriculum was designed to extend beyond fundamental skills, focusing heavily on leadership development, empowerment, and introspection. Activities included a Leadership Lab at the Soufrière-Scotts Head Marine Reserve, an immersive sea kayaking journey along Dominica’s western coast, and a reflective stay at Fort Shirley. The program also featured workshops tackling critical issues such as food sovereignty, climate change, colonial history, and conservation, facilitated by inspiring local and international experts.

For the participating youth, the experience was deeply impactful. One graduate reflected “Teamwork and leadership. I realized how much can be achieved when we work together. The kayak expedition taught me that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice, but about supporting each other and making decisions that keep everyone safe.”

Another shared,“ Though I had knowledge beforehand about how vulnerable coral reefs and marine life really are, seeing the reef up close while snorkeling (even though I can’t swim) opened my eyes to how much is at risk from climate change and pollution. It made me feel a stronger responsibility to be part of the solution.”

Other youth focused on broader themes of unity and sustainability, expressing a desire to contribute positively to their community, saying, “ We should work together to build our community as one. I want to be more focused on making Dominica a better place for us all, and value our relationship with the environment, especially the reefs.”

Reflecting on the broader significance of the program, Fishleigh highlighted Dominica’s unique position in the face of global climate challenges: “Our island stands on the frontlines of climate change, yet we also hold a powerful opportunity. Unlike many places, we have not yet faced irreversible loss. This moment is a gift—and a responsibility. Our goal this summer was to instill in our youth a sense of hope and confidence: that they can and do have a say in shaping Dominica’s future.”

Reportedly, the ceremony concluded with a celebratory atmosphere, filled with gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose. Rising Tides stated that it reflects the program’s vital role in equipping the nation’s youth with the skills, confidence, and vision needed to safeguard their communities and lead environmental change amid global challenges.