Conservation
Partnership with the Reef Rescue Network
Our Forfar Educational team works closely with staff from The Perry Institute for Marine Science and Reef Rescue Network to set up and maintain coral restoration plots near Forfar. We have had a coral nursery since 2015. In 2023, we established 5 coral domes at one dive site called “The Pool” which as the coral fragments grow will become an artificial reef. We also set up a plot for continual outplanting at Staniard Reef, where we hope to see improvements in hard coral cover.
In addition to this ongoing relationship with Reef Rescue Network, we have recently partnered with them on their Coral is Calling campaign. For more information about the Coral Is Calling campaign and Reef Rescue Network, please visit https://www.intlfieldstudies.org/reef-rescue-network
Giving Back Locally
IFS is dedicated to working alongside the local community on Andros and our larger global community. All programming is meant to pursue our mission of providing environmental education, scientific research, and cultural awareness through experiential learning. In addition to our programming, we aim to give back to the community and our students as much as possible to expand our impact and create equal opportunities for young scholars.
Androsia Scholarship Fund
One of the main ways IFS gives back is through our Androsia Scholarship Fund. All profits from the local Androsia wares and IFS branded merchandise sold at Forfar Field Station go directly to the Androsia Scholarship Fund. Since 2015, we have given out $15,905 in scholarships to local Androsians. In 2023, $2,555 in scholarships were awarded to four students.
To hear more about this year’s scholarship receipients and to read their letters speaking directly to donors, please view our Androsia Scholarships 2023 Blog Post.
CALVERNIQUE MARSHALL
LAVON BUTLET
Forfar Marine Science Program Community Service Hours
As part of our Forfar Marine Science Program (Gap Year), each cohort participates in a service learning project as part of the course work. Students work with our various on-island partners (Bahamas National Trust or Forestry Unit) to give back to the local Andros community. Some of the projects include assisting with local trail maintenance, invasive species control, mangrove restoration, and litter clean-ups. Students in our program have donated 1,430 volunteer hours since 2016 to the local community!
The Dr. Walter ‘Ben’ Bohl Scholarship
The Dr. Walter ‘Ben’ Bohl Scholarship fund directly supports both local and international students ability to attend life-changing field study experiences at Forfar Field Station. The scholarship was established to honor the many years Ben spent working for International Field Studies as the co-founder and Executive Director of IFS from 1970-2015. To learn more, and read about our scholarship recipients, visit our Dr. Walter ‘Ben’ Bohl Scholarship page.
The Bahamas 100K Tree Planting Initiative
In March of 2020, The Bahamas began their 100K Tree Planting Initiative as part of the 1 Million Caribbean Tree Planting Project led by the Cari Phil Alliance. This initiative aimed to encourage climate action, combat climate change, raise awareness on Bahamian plant biodiversity, educate on food security, and more!
Forfar Field Station partnered in this initiative by accepting trees at Forfar and helping with further distribution around Andros. We are honored to have taken part in this project as 240 trees were planted around Andros as part of this initiative. For more information about this project, Click here to read the Sustainable Lifestyle Newsletter highlighting The Bahamas 100K Tree Planting Initiative.
