2025 CBF BEACH Awards
Celebrating our Caribbean Conservation Heroes
The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) is proud to host the second staging of the CBF Beach Awards, a unique regional recognition celebrating outstanding efforts to preserve and protect Caribbean beaches. Building on the success of the inaugural 2023 awards, this year we continue our mission to spotlight individuals, organizations, and communities that demonstrate exceptional leadership in beach conservation, sustainable practices, and community engagement.
Through the Beach Awards, the CBF is amplifying stories that inspire environmental pride and collaborative action across the Caribbean.
Deadline for nominations: Tuesday, June 3, 2025
About The CBF BEACH Awards
The CBF Biodiversity Excellence Award for Caribbean Heroes (BEACH) is a prestigious recognition for individuals and organizations making remarkable contributions to the CBF’s mission.
Named after Mrs. Eleanor Garraway-Phillips and Dr. Jens Mackensen, two esteemed founding board members, the BEACH Award celebrates their legacy.
Recognizing leadership, innovation, and dedication to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, the BEACH Award inspires others to follow in their footsteps. Through targeted thematic areas and strategic partnerships, the award fosters collaboration and expands the CBF’s reach.
Biennially awarded from 2023, the BEACH Award showcases outstanding achievements, amplifying the awardees’ impact. Join us in honoring these conservation heroes, promoting the International Biodiversity Day, and protecting the Caribbean’s rich biodiversity. Together, let’s celebrate and preserve our natural treasures!
Previous Awardees
Dr. Judith Gobin, Individual Award
Dr. Judith Gobin, an internationally recognized marine scientist with over 40 years of experience, has made significant contributions to the knowledge of marine biodiversity in Trinidad and Tobago and throughout the Caribbean. As the first female Professor in Life Sciences at the St. Augustine Campus, UWI, Dr. Gobin has been a trailblazer in marine sciences, contributing globally to discussions on ocean conservation and the sustainable use of marine resources.
Reef Check Dominican Republic, Organizational Award
Established in 2004 and led by Dr. Rubén Torres, Reef Check Dominican Republic plays its part in addressing the coral reef crisis in that country by offering sustainable solutions and raising global awareness. The organization’s role in conserving coastal marine resources, collaborating with local partners to enhance tourism quality and pioneer unique tourism products and services that make local conservation economically sustainable is a boon to coral reef restoration in its home country.
Jens Mackensen
Dr. Jens Mackensen, outgoing chairperson of the Board of Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, currently serves as Director of the Latin America and the Caribbean portfolio for the Department of Natural Resources at KfW Development Bank in Frankfurt, Germany. He particularly oversees topics such as forest protection, reforestation, sustainable forestry in natural forests, and agriculture, as well as the protection of climate, coasts, and biodiversity.
Eleanor Garraway-Phillips
Eleanor Garraway-Phillips, the “Caribbean Ambassador,” shaped conservation policy and strategic direction in the Bahamas. She played a key role in the Bahamas Master Plan for Protected Areas and the Bahamas Protected Areas Fund. Eleanor served as CBF’s first Vice Chair and Treasurer, leaving a lasting impact on the region’s conservation efforts including the advancement of the Caribbean Challenge Initiative.
Timeline
22 April 2025
Launch of the CBF BEACH Awards
3 June 2025
Deadline for Nominations
20 June 2025
Compliance & Preliminary Shortlisting
7 July 2025
Final Shortlisting
14 July 2025
Notification of Awardees
Nomination
The nominees must be actively contributing to the areas of focus, and have a proven track record of actively implementing projects and/or initiatives in the Caribbean region.
The nominees will be evaluated by a panel of judges composed of representatives from the CBF Board of Directors, CBF partners, and experts in the fields of biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and climate change. The judges will select one individual and one organization as the awardees of the 2025 CBF BEACH Awards.
What makes a conservation hero?
The nominee’s work should have a measurable impact on biodiversity conservation or sustainable development in the Caribbean region
The nominee’s work should demonstrate a creative or innovative approach to biodiversity conservation or sustainable development.
The nominee should be a leader in their field and should have demonstrated a commitment to work linked to advancing the mission and vision of the CBF.
The nominee’s work should involve collaboration with other organizations or stakeholders in the Caribbean region.
The nominee’s work should demonstrate a long-term commitment to biodiversity conservation or sustainable development in the Caribbean region.
The Selection Process
Eligibility
The CBF Secretariat screens all nominations to ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Shortlisting
The CBF Board and Selection Committee review and shortlist the top two awardees, one individual and one organization.
Notification
The CBF Secretariat notifies the selected awardees.
