CAPITAL, Island, April 22, 2026 — 26 students of Enid Capron Primary School joined over 300 children across nine Caribbean islands who stepped out of the classroom and into nature this Earth Day, as the Sandals Foundation rolled out a Caribbean-wide guided mindfulness programme designed to build environmental awareness and support mental well-being.

The activity which took place at Beaches Turks and Caicos resort gardens and plant nursery enabled students to connect directly with the island’s ecosystems engaging in breathing exercises, nature walks, sensory observation and discussions. The programme also sought to reinforce the role of nature in healing the body and mind as well as explore the everyday actions young people can take to protect their natural resources.

“By combining mindfulness with environmental education, we wanted to encourage students to slow down, be present, reflect, and appreciate the beauty of nature which is around them,” says Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation. “We also wanted to share with students that sense of responsibility and power they each have to protect their community’s natural resources and the services those resources support.”

Allika Barthold, a grade six student shared her excitement following the tour. “It was beautiful. The team here shared a lot of information and taught us a lot about how important it is for us to take care of not only our planet, but our island home, Providenciales. The nature sculpture was one of the most exciting real life experience that I saw. It is protecting our shores, our ocean and our planet.”

Coordinated by Sandals Foundation Ambassadors at Beaches Turks and Caicos resort, the team of 12 volunteers led by Public Relation Manager, Orville Morgan said, “the mindfulness walk was an absolute success. Students were fully immersed in observing the plants and animals around them and their curiosity shined through the many questions they asked. There is no better way to learn about nature than to be in it and for that, I am very happy we were able to make this possible”.

Vice Principal, Nelene Swann noted, “the team at the resort was knowledgeable and were able to share environmental information with the children for them to understand. We got firsthand knowledge on the success behind what makes the resort picturesque. Beaches Turks and Caicos is environmentally aware and all the team members who participated were able to provide information that our students can practice at home to make our planet better.”

More than 300 students across Antigua, Barbados, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, Curacao, and Jamaica visited national parks, mangrove forests, Beaches Resorts gardens, and or national conservation areas, fostering a disengagement from digital devices and allowing time to decompress and connect with nature.

The activity, which fosters positive mental wellbeing forms part of the wider range of conservation work of the Sandals Foundation which has to date engaged 177,526 people in environmental education, planted 28,117 trees, outplanted 38,156 corals, invested in programmes that monitor the safe hatch of 221,392 sea turtles, and supported 23 marine and terrestrial protected areas.

Captions:

1st insert: The students from the Enid Capron Primary school received a surprise visit from one of their ‘furry friends’ from Sesame Street during the garden tour with Beaches Turks and Caicos Landscaping Manager Jason Yuille

 2nd insert: Students and teachers were locked in the presentation from Jason Yuille, Beaches Turks and Caicos Landscaping manager during the Earth Day 2026 resort tour

Turks and Caicos, April 23, 2026 – Experience Turks and Caicos is happy to announce that we have published a new destination guide to the Turks and Caicos Islands, designed to enhance the visitor experience while providing potential travellers with comprehensive and inspiring information on the destination.

The magazine was produced in collaboration with Greydoor Publishing, a UK-based company that partners with tourism boards across the Caribbean to create high-quality destination magazines and pocket guides.

Spanning 104 pages, the publication offers an in-depth look at the Turks and Caicos Islands, from its rich history and culture to the diverse range of activities and experiences available across the islands.

With the tagline “An Ocean of Experiences”, the guidebook, in keeping with Experience Turks and Caicos’ mission to promote the destination’s multi-island identity and ensure that all communities benefit from tourism, shines a spotlight on each island, highlighting unique experiences, locally owned restaurants, and homegrown entrepreneurs. It also serves as a practical planning tool, featuring curated three-day, seven-day, and ten-day itineraries to help visitors make the most of their stay.

The guide places a strong emphasis on culture, with a dedicated section outlining signature events held throughout the year, giving visitors a deeper connection to the rhythm and spirit of the islands.

To further enhance convenience, the publication includes QR codes that link to comprehensive listings of car rentals, taxis, and restaurants across the destination.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, noted that the guidebook comes at a time when the destination is strengthening its presence in key international markets.

“We have made a clear commitment to strengthening our presence in key international markets, and this guide is an important part of that effort. It gives visitors a much fuller picture of who we are as a destination—not just our beaches, but our culture, our people, and the experiences across all of our islands. It helps us tell our story properly and ensures that more of Turks and Caicos is seen, experienced, and shared with the world,” the Minister said.

Interim CEO Consultant of Experience Turks and Caicos, Mr. Paul Pennicook, expressed pride in the publication, which marks the organisation’s first official guidebook.

“As we continue to expand the presence of the Turks and Caicos Islands at trade shows and conferences around the world, this guidebook will play an essential role in showcasing the destination,” he said. “I would like to thank all of the stakeholders who supported this publication through advertising, as well as Greydoor Publishing for working closely with our Public Relations Manager, Ms. Laura Dowrich, to bring this magazine to life.”

A digital version of The Turks and Caicos Islands Guidebook will be available on our destination website at www.visitturksandcaicos.com.

Turks and Caicos, April 23, 2026 – Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force strengthened community ties through worship and outreach on Sunday, April 12, with coordinated church engagements in both Grand Turk and Providenciales.

In Grand Turk, officers from the local police station attended a service at the Methodist Church, led by Reverend Frednor Toussaint. The visit was headed by Inspector Jeremy Jones, with Sergeants Marlon Morse and Aquina Martin, along with Detective Police Constable Philip Smith also in attendance.

The service focused on themes of forgiveness and healing, with Reverend Toussaint encouraging congregants to release past burdens and embrace a path toward restoration. Following the service, officers remained to interact with members of the congregation, reinforcing a visible and approachable presence within the community.

At the same time in Providenciales, the Force’s Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit marked Child Abuse Prevention Month with a special church service at the New Testament Church in Blue Hills. Senior leadership was present, including Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey, Deputy Commissioner Rodney Adams, Acting Deputy Commissioner Kendall Grant and Assistant Commissioner Darron Williams, alongside officers from across various divisions.

The twin engagements reflect ongoing efforts by the police to connect with communities beyond enforcement, using faith-based outreach and public engagement to promote trust, awareness and support across the islands.

Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.