6th Biennial Abaco Science Alliance Conference – January 16-18, 2014

There will be a presentation at the conference called: "Interactions Between the Caribbean Spiny Lobster, Panulirus argus, and Invasive Lionfish, Pterois volitans, Who Displaces Who?" by Jocelyn Curtis-Quick (Cape Eleuthera Institute). PHOTO PROVIDED by Friends of the Environment.
There will be a presentation at the conference called: “Interactions Between the Caribbean Spiny Lobster, Panulirus argus, and Invasive Lionfish, Pterois volitans, Who Displaces Who?” by Jocelyn Curtis-Quick (Cape Eleuthera Institute). PHOTO PROVIDED by Friends of the Environment.

The Abaco Science Alliance Conference (ASAC) was started by Friends of the Environment in 2001 as a way to encourage networking between scientists and with the community. Since then it has grown and developed into a popular event bringing together national and international researchers with a stake in The Bahamas, as well as government leaders, community members and students.

The next conference occurs January 2014. If you will be in Abaco you are in store for a treat! The Conference opens on the evening of Thursday January 16 with an informal cocktail party and open house at FRIENDS’ education center for speakers and attendees. Those attending the cocktail party will get first chance to peek at the fossils recently discovered at Gilpin Point in South Abaco.

Friday, January 17 features a full day of interesting speakers at New Vision Ministries. Presentations will touch on a variety of topics, including lionfish, conch, green turtles, coral conservation, shorebirds and more. Friday’s lectures are offered to Abaco students free of charge, thanks to sponsorship of the conference by JS Johnson, Abaco Tourism Office and Royal Bank of Canada.

Events on Saturday January 18, will be split; the morning will wrap up interesting talks at New Vision Ministries, then field trips will depart to South Abaco to visit the Gilpin Point fossil site for hiking, bird watching and potential fossil discovery, as well as to Bahama Palm Shores for a bird watching trip with Dr. Elwood Bracey, who has spent 40 years observing birds in Abaco.

Pre-registration for the conference is available through FRIENDS’ website, or by visiting our office. Registration will also be available at the door. Those who are interested in field trips should contact FRIENDS ahead of time, as space is limited. Abaco high schools that would like to attend Friday’s session should contact FRIENDS’s Education officer to make arrangements.

More information about the conference, the speakers, and the field trips are all available on the FRIENDS’ website or call (242) 367-2721.