Where
Gerace Research CenterSan Salvador Island
Bahamas
Contact
Mike Akresh, Core Faculty Member, Environmental StudiesAntioch University New England
603-283-2333
makresh@antioch.edu
Join Antioch University New England on a field study trip to the Bahamas! 
This trip will be lead by Mike Akresh, Core Faculty in AUNE's Department of Environmental Studies, and involve students and other alumni.
In this 10 day field study course we will examine subtropical, island ecology and conservation on San Salvador Island, The Bahamas. San Salvador is a relatively small, outer island approximately 400 miles east/southeast of Miami, Florida. We will primarily stay at the Gerace Research Centre, which is situated next to a new national marine park on the northern coast.
We will explore various Bahamian habitats, including coastal scrub, inland coppice, mangroves, sabal palm stands, disturbed areas, limestone caves, coral reefs, sea grass beds, and hypersaline inland lakes. Themes will include tropical and island ecosystems , conservation biology, invasive species, waste/plastic pollution, and the effects of overharvesting, climate change (e.g., drought, hurricanes), and land use on wildlife and fisheries and the environment. We will conduct hands-on wildlife sampling techniques, while also getting a chance to snorkel in marine and near-shore reefs. Students will take part in existing long-term research studies, and additionally will plan, implement, write, and present their own short-term research project. We will discuss possible solutions and challenges to tropical island environmental conservation, and how it relates to scientific research, education, outreach, and socio-economic and cultural factors.
An effort will be made to connect and interact with local stakeholders and community members (e.g., fishers, tour guides, educators at local schools, local conservation groups) to gain their perspective about environmental issues and how to incorporate socio-economic and cultural considerations in potential conservation solutions on the island.
Most of the class time in The Bahamas will be spent in the field, although there will be pre and post-trip meetings at Antioch, and presentations and writing assignments to enhance and conceptualize the course material.
Given a changing climate (e.g., increased hurricane intensities) and a high rate of development and deforestation in the Caribbean, this course will provide students a gateway into important, topical issues in tropical ecology and conservation.
This study trip is offered as a 3-credit graduate course, ESF 5702, Ecology & Conservation in the Bahamas. You may read the course syllabus.
Fees
This study trip is offered as a 3-credit graduate course, ESF 5702, Ecology & Conservation in the Bahamas. You may read the course syllabus.
- Alumni tuition $822., (plus $1,800 in trip fees) ........................................... $2,622.
- Non-matriculated student tuition $1,644. (plus $1,800 in trip fees)............ $3,444.
Registration Details
Instructor permission is necessary to participate in this trip. Upon requestiong more information, the course instructor and trip leader, Mike Akresh, will contact you to provide you with course details and discuss requirements. Participants should be able to walk 5 miles over uneven ground, and be able to swim. If you are given permission to participate, then there will be additional paperwork necessary to register for the trip and the payment will be due.
Post-trip (required): Wednesday April 1, 5:00pm-8:00pm Trip participants living at a distance from Antioch University New England's Keene, NH campus may discuss with the instructor, Mike Akresh, about joining the pre- and post-trip meetings online via Zoom.
