Join us in July for Alumni Week

For those of you who long to come back to Forfar Field Station and relive your experience, here is your chance!  Bring your family and friends to the 2017 Alumni Week at Forfar Field Station from July 22nd - July 29th, 2017!

You can sign-up at the link below to receive details about transportation, pricing, and what to expect throughout the week.

If you know other alumni that may be interested in reliving their wonderful memories of Andros, please share this with them!

If you are interested, please contact Matt at the office with questions (office@intlfieldstudies.org or 614.268.9930) and complete this online Registration Form.

Rainbow while leaving Turtle Reef with Hoover/Jackson High School!

Zika Virus in the Bahamas

UPDATE

As of April 2018 there has been no known Zika Virus, and there is currently no risk for Zika infection in the Bahamas. Any previous warning (level 2 "practice enhanced precautions") has been removed, as stated in the CDC links below.

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Currently the Bahamas does not host the Zika Virus. The Bahamian government is, “intensely monitoring the (zika virus) situation.” They have also taken proactive steps to reduce the chance of Zika transmission which include increased fogging and continued education to both citizens and resorts that will help to reduce mosquito breeding habitats.

At Forfar Field Station, we have eliminated areas with standing water, cut back vegetation near the cabins which allows for the area to dry out preventing breeding areas, and fog the areas behind the cabins.  We have installed mosquito nets on all the beds for nighttime protection.  We encourage the use of bug spray when visiting but your best defense is to where lightweight pants and long-sleeve shirts (it’s also your best defense against sunburn!)

For more information:

CDC Zika in the Bahamas Resource Guide

CDC Press Release (Zika in Bahamas)

Bahama Government Statement on Zika & Prevention

What is Ciguatera Toxin?

Before you visit Andros, it’s important to know about Ciguatera: a foodborne illness caused by eating fish that are contaminated by the ciguatera toxin. The concentrated toxin is often found in large reef fish such as barracuda, grouper, red snapper, moray eel, amberjack, parrotfish, hogfish, sturgeon fish, kingfish, coral trout, and sea bass. Ciguatera toxin accumulates in these fish as they consume smaller fish which feed on toxin producing algae (dinoflagellates).

Ciguatera toxin is harmless to fish but poisonous to humans. It is odorless and tasteless and cooking does not destroy the toxin. The symptoms from ingesting Ciguatera toxin are similar to other types of food poisoning and may consist of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, numbness, tingling, abdominal pain, dizziness, and vertigo. There are over 50,000 reported cases of ciguatera poisoning each year but by following just two simple tips, you can nearly eliminate your chance of ingesting the toxin.

When visiting Andros Island:

1. Do NOT eat large reef fish that feed on smaller fish, especially if the fish weighs over 6 lbs. This is the safest way to not ingest the Ciguatera toxin. If you don’t eat the fish that accumulate the concentrated toxin, then you will not be at risk for Ciguatera poisoning.

2. If you decide to eat large reef fish, avoid the parts of the fish that concentrate the toxin: liver, intestines, roe, and head.

Holiday Wish List

International Field Studies has a Wish List this holiday season! Unfortunately there are no chimneys at Forfar Field Station, so Santa won't be delivering us presents. We sure could use your help! Check out some of our most needed items here. We appreciate any possible donation and thank you for sharing your holiday cheer!
 

Fun at Forfar Field Station

Hocking College is at Forfar Field Station!
Our current visiting group at Forfar Field Station is Hocking College's Bahamas Ecotourism Adventure Travel (BEAT) class.  Each year a group of knowledge-hungry college students come for a 6-week course at Forfar Field Station. This past Saturday, BEAT and Bahamas National Trust (BNT) took a trip to Andros West Side National Park for a fantastic educational experience.

December NSTA Conference

Come join us! 
IFS will be at the upcoming National Science Teacher Association (NSTA) Area Conference held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, December 1-3, 2016.  Feel free to stop by and learn about our programming for 2017! Know local teachers that might be interested in a Field Study experience abroad, encourage them to attend and visit our booth!  Additionally,  we are available to come and give a presentation at your school in a department staff meeting or other appropriate meetings. Contact Matt at office@intlfieldstudies.org for more information.