The mission of Friends of the Environment (FRIENDS) is to preserve and protect Abaco’s marine and terrestrial environments in order to achieve sustainable living for the wildlife and people of Abaco, Bahamas. The way we choose to approach this mission is through education. We believe that the future of The Bahamas lies in the hands of our youth, so the better prepared they are to face that future, the more our environment will benefit.
FRIENDS’ dedicated education program began in 2006 with a goal to reach out to students across Abaco, getting them out of the classroom and into the environment to make connections with our natural resources. Since that time, FRIENDS has provided over 7,000 educational experiences to Abaco’s students. After analyzing our education programs, we identified a gap in programs for the high school grade levels. To help fill that gap, FRIENDS launched new specialized summer field courses this year designed to connect students with researchers and provide a more in-depth experience. At this age, many of Abaco’s students are in the process of deciding their course for post high school education, internships and careers and these field courses helped to provide them with the experience necessary to make those decisions and build their resumes. Five pilot field courses were held between June and August and were offered to both Abaconians and visiting students that are on a high school level of science. Small class sizes guaranteed more hands on time and one-on-one experiences with course instructors. Courses were held in partnership with Florida International University, North Carolina State University and the Cape Eleuthera Institute. This summer’s course topics were: Sea Cucumbers, Jellyfish and Urchins; Bahamas Bats and Birds; Surprising Sponges; Sea Turtles; and Bonefish and Flats Ecology.
In Bats and Birds students were able to go out into the Snake Cay area and conduct field surveys. The Sea Cucumbers, Jellyfish and Urchins and Sponges courses gave students a chance to perform quadrat surveys on seagrass beds, collect specimens, complete dissections and use dissection microscopes, a first for many of the students. They were also able to perform some experiments out in the field. In the sea turtle course students went out in the boat for surveys, and were able to catch, measure and tag a turtle to assist with conservation efforts. In the bonefish course, students used seine nets and fly rods. They learned fly casting techniques, then tied their own flies and put their casting to the test. Bonefish were caught and tagged to contribute to a larger study about bonefish movement in Abaco.
Each class was full, with more students interested in participating, so we are looking forward to continuing and expanding these programs. Look out for information about future courses during fall and spring breaks, and of course next summer! If you are interested in being involved by volunteering, leading a course, or providing sponsorship or support please let FRIENDS know.
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