Forfar 50th Anniversary Interviews: Wilton Russell

Wilton Russell, Red Bays Native (Musician, Historian & Artist)

Wilton Russell has been connected to Forfar since he was just 12 years old. Many of our groups visit his home during their trip to the local Red Bays community. Wilton welcomes our groups and shares his music and songs during their visit! Wilton is an important part of the Red Bays experience and we are grateful for the time he lends to our groups and students.

“Wilton Russell is my name and I have a few nicknames which are “Rubberband Man” along with “Willy D’ Dynamite”. Those are the famous names that were given to me.” - Wilton Russell

How well did you know Archie Forfar?  Any memories you want to share about Archie?

I remember Archie. He used to come here for me to carry him hunting for wild hog. Me, Archie and Albert Colebrooke used to go hunting wild hog down a place called Billy Coppice. We used to have a farm off a road that connects Morgan’s Bluff to Fire Road then onto Red Bays. He would bring food for my grandmother, some milk and stuff like that if he didn't do anything we’d have to eat our yard chicken. If Archie, Tiny, Big Mac and guys who work on AUTEC base didn’t bring something for us to eat, we had to eat off the soil, because it’s too far away to walk from the coppice to the sea. So back in the day Archie was a blessing to Red Bay and I wouldn't say only to me because he would come down giving away stuff to the poor people. Especially around Christmas time he would give away paints even shortly after Hurricane Betsy.

 Archie was the first person drive down here on a truck on the small lil road going from house to house handing out flour, rice, sugar, matches. Archie is a legend and it brings tears to my heart that he left us so early, everybody misses him.

Did you know Ben Bohl well?  Do you have any memories you want to share about Ben?

Ben is another great guy and if he can do anything to help he would help in any condition. I miss him. Ben would visit and bring the groups down to old Red Bays and do his best to help no matter the situation.

What is your relationship to Forfar?

I look at Forfar as a tourism garden of The Bahamas and from then to now it has only gotten better. I’d say 95% of them [visitors to Red Bays] come to the field station so from [when I was] 12 years old I learned about the place through Archie. My relationship with Forfar Field Station was formed when most of the leaders would come looking for me, from a child I grew up entertaining the tourists. I’d take them on tours through the bush showing them different flowers, wild birds, bushes, mud testing. IFS had some outstanding students come down to learn right now, I’d say that it is doing much better with these great leaders that we have. They ain't letting it fall down to the ground, they’re lifting it up.

How long have you worked with Forfar?

I wouldn’t say that I’ve worked on the station grounds like that but sometimes I’d be asked to rake, clear the ground or even water the plants around the area. In our free time, we would go hunting or go on the boat with the tourist looking for shells or sea urchins. It wouldn’t be an everyday kind of thing just every so often. 

What is your favorite memory that is affiliated with Forfar?

My favorite memory would be in the earlier days with Archie and Ben. Archie came down here on his own. He was the type of guy who came looking for friends but between him and Ben the best memories centered around those two legends.

Over your time, you must have met so many people coming from Forfar to visit Red Bays. Do you keep in contact with people that you met along the way?

Yes. I remember Cindy and Marcus used to run the place at one point in time. Me, Henry Wallace, Cindy and Marcus designed the old museum with concrete markings and engravings with ship racks for the display boats. There was also a lady by the name of Sage with her husband Derrick who stayed down here for a few years then they left to go to Minnesota. In fact, I still got letters and cards that the groups would send down to me from a long time ago, some of those letters so old they’ve got mildew.

Where are they now? Spotlight on our Previous Interns: Mattew Speegle

We love to highlight what our former interns are up to after their time at Forfar Field Station. Matthew Speegle was a member of the team here at Forfar during the 2018-2019 season.

How did the Forfar internship benefit you in your current job or your future career goals?

The main skill set I took from my time at Forfar is the ability to learn to identify a large quantity of species in a effective way while being able to quickly identify them in the field. It has truly helped my throughout my career because if I am working in a new field, or region, with different species that I haven't worked with before, my employer always feels reassured that they won’t have to spend extra time and effort training me.

What professional skills did you gain from the internship?

Learning to work with and communicate with such a variety of people was definitely the most important skill that I gained from the internship. As part of my current job, I am always meeting, working with, and living in close quarters, with new people. It is essential to be able to communicate effectively in order to work together with new people. If you don't, you quickly learn that you will enjoy your job much less.

What is the most memorable or favorite part of your Forfar internship?

There are obviously so many memorable moments during my time in Andros from swimming in the blue waters to dancing with my fellow interns on the weekend. But the one memory that always comes back to me is when I was able to scuba dive in Cousteau's Blue Hole on my 26th birthday. It was a great experience because of how “once in a lifetime” it actually was. I never thought that I would be able to dive in such a amazing and distinct location. Never before did I think I would get a chance to dive in such a place that made me feel like I was on a different planet.

Where is your hometown? Where are you living now?

My hometown is Castro Valley, California. And I am currently living in Dana Point, California, where there is a little bit more sunshine and a lot better beach.

What job(s) have you had since your time at Forfar? What are your responsibilities in the role?

I have worked two jobs since my time at Forfar. My first job title was Fishery Observer. I worked for Frank Oarth and Associates, who is contracted by NOAA to work the Southwest region of fisheries. I would travel on commercial fishing boats from a week to a month at a time, to collect data (i.e. measurements, weight, sex) and samples (i.e. stomach, tissue, liver, reproductive organs, gills) of all the fish that we catch and keep while on the boat, then bring them back to the lab to do an in-depth analysis of all the samples. All of the data and analysis goes to NOAA scientists. My second job is a biological monitor for an environmental consulting firm. I work with construction firms to minimize and mitigate the biological impacts or their projects. It mainly consists of a lot of surveys and technical reports, but I get to work outside and meet new people everyday.

Any current hobbies or places traveled?

While I am not working, I am spending mostly all my time either surfing or playing golf. Dana point is the perfect place for these because, as you can imagine, it is always sunny, and there are always waves. As for travel, I have mostly been finding new places around California to camp, as there is never a shortage of new locations, and travelling to Mexico to get a taste of the tropical weather which I miss so much.

Any other updates you would like to share?

I miss being in such an amazing place as Andros, and it is nearly impossible for me to refrain from telling any new person I meet about my time there.

Gap Year Alumni: Isabel Sexton

Isabel attend our Fall 2020 Gap Year and is our newest Student Ambassador, along with Faith Hertz, for our Forfar Marine Science Program.

Tell us about yourself prior to Forfar!

Hi! I’m Isabel. I’m from Clyde Park, Montana, a town with a population of only 300 people! I grew up on a small farm and commuted to a high school 25 miles away. I am 19, and go to Lewis and Clark College in Portland! I love to hike, ski, hang out with my dogs, drink tea, and after Forfar, scuba dive.

How did you hear about the Forfar Marine Science Program?

I was in the second semester of my freshman year of college when Covid-19 got crazy. I decided I would postpone my sophomore year to take a little break from college. Forfar caught my eye immediately, and after further research it seemed like just the right place for me.

What was one (or some) of your favorite parts of the program?

Just waking up on the beach every morning is incredible, but the way you interact with Andros and the ocean at Forfar is really special. SCUBA diving blew my mind, I had never spent that much time underwater and seeing the variety of reef fish, the colors of the corals, and all of the funky little organisms was definitely one of my favorite parts. I also love the blue holes on Andros! Both oceanic and inland, the blue holes in the ocean house super cool shipwrecks, and the inland blue holes are just utterly gorgeous. The connections you build to the other students and instructors/staff while doing these activities are really great too! We all are in a new environment, we’re all just figuring it out, and we’re all pushing our comfort zones. All of these factors make for long time friendships, and connections, which I am so grateful for.

What was the most challenging aspect or task?

Because I came to Forfar during Covid, we had to quarantine for the first ten days. While we were in quarantine all of the students were still strangers to each other. Spending all day, everyday together was really intimidating at the beginning. Spending ten days on station on the pristine beach with new people really isn’t so bad though, and by the end of the quarantine our group had bonded so tightly! Also, being able to explore the island after our quarantine was a very exciting time: going to the restaurants, blue holes, other towns, and boat trips made the quarantine time absolutely worth it. The other most challenging aspect, for me, was the bugs!! Bring your bug spray, baby oil, cozy socks, and pants!

What was it like living with the other students you hadn't met before? Do you still keep in contact with anyone?

Living with the other students was definitely daunting, but you adjust quickly. My roommate and I were both nervous at the beginning, but by the end of the trip we were super close. I have made some really incredible friends on this trip, I feel very grateful to Forfar for introducing me to them. Spending so much time together doing really cool, challenging things makes for a solid and cohesive group. I really enjoyed the dynamic. I hear from Forfar friends every day, even after not seeing each other for a while we are all still in touch! I hope and plan to see many of them again in the future.

What advice would you give incoming students? Would you recommend this program to anyone?

I would absolutely recommend this program to anyone who loves to be outside, in the ocean, in super cool lectures, or in nature. I had very little ocean experience coming into this program, and I left feeling so comfortable in the water. The staff is so supportive, sweet, and helpful. If you’re worried about doing something they’ve got your back. Don’t be afraid to build relationships with everyone on station, not just the students! Also, live in the moment, six weeks flies by! Drink lots of hot cocoa (pro tip- hot cocoa after scuba diving)! Even if you feel like you aren’t a science person, this program is for you.

What would you say to ease parents minds about their child traveling to the remote location of Andros?

I have Type 1 Diabetes, so my mom was a little worried about me being on Andros too. I can only praise Forfar for how they deal with adversity, there is a plan in place for every scenario. Andros is remote, but that just means more beautiful nature to explore! If you feel nervous about coming to Andros the staff is so on top of it, they can talk you through any questions you may have. Forfar is a really safe place to be, I never had any reason to be worried.

Where are you now?

I am currently back at Lewis and Clark College, in Portland, Oregon. I am majoring in Environmental Studies, and hoping to go to law school for environmental law after that! I have continued to scuba dive, and hope to further my certifications while I’m still in college. I love to go to the coast on weekends with my friends, but it’s chilly! I definitely miss the Bahamian beaches!

Anything else you want to add?

I am so so so glad I applied and so happy I took the gap semester! If you are feeling worried about college, don’t go immediately! Go hang out in the Bahamas for a bit first!

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As our Student Ambassadors Isabel and Faith are happy to talk to any parents or students who are interested in enrolling in the Forfar Marine Science Program. Email office@intlfieldstudies.org to get connected!

GIVING BACK LOCALLY - 2020

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.

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.

In 2020, a total of $1,000 was raised and two $500 scholarships were awarded to two daughters of longtime IFS staff members Mr. Cordell Riley and Mrs. Shaneal Johnson. 

The first $500 scholarship was given to Rakell Riley. Here is her letter sharing her story and speaking directly to donors:

“I would first like to start off by saying, thank you to everyone that donated to the scholarship fund. I am beyond grateful for the consideration, help, and faith that you have put in me. Going through the day knowing that there are people that believe in me actually helps me get through a rough week. 

This past year hasn't exactly been the easiest. In September 2019, hurricane Dorian passed through The Bahamas, damaging not only the UB-North campus but also the spirits and mental states of the students attending there. The trauma of seeing the words "missing" and "deceased" next to some of the names of my newly found friends was too much for me to handle at the time. Therefore, I decided to put my mental health first and withdraw from the Fall 2019 semester. I had to get myself together and prepare for the semester ahead.

In January 2020, I returned to Grand Bahama to give my college career another go. It was not easy readjusting to college life, and on top of that the classes weren't easy. However, I was getting the hang of it. Then Covid-19 infiltrated The Bahamas, which forced students to return to their home islands. Classes were then completely virtual, and this posed as another challenge. But, I am thankful to say that like every other obstacle I've encountered, I overcame it. This semester hasn't been the best either with everything being online, but so far I'm making the best of my circumstances. 

Once again, thank you so much for your contribution to my future. This will surely assist me in making it further. 

My Best Regards,

Rakell Riley”

The second $500 scholarship was given to Rodneal Hanna. Here is her letter sharing her story and speaking directly to donors:

“I would like to thank you for your continued support of my journey to my degree. It has been a tough year especially since my university, like many others have gone virtual but I am still in school and holding on. However, I have changed my major to Secondary Education Religion Bachelor's Program. My G.P.A last semester (Spring 2020) was 3.52 and I intend on keeping it up in this current semester as well. College has been a wonderful and eye opening experience and I want to thank you once again for helping me to experience this amazing journey.

Rodneal Hanna”

Since 2016, IFS has raised $10,000 for the fund which is given away annually as awarded scholarships to seniors from Central Andros and Huntley Christie High Schools.

IFS is grateful to have also received the Fullen-Smith Foundation Scholarship in 2020. A big thank you to one of our Group Leaders, Deb, for sharing the scholarship opportunity with us and keeping IFS in her mind. Though we aim to keep the cost of our Forfar Marine Science Program (Gap Year) as low as possible, we understand it’s still a high price point for many students. We were thrilled to have offered 2 students attending the Fall 2020 cohort of the Forfar Marine Science Program with a scholarship from the Fullen-Smith Foundation! With four more gap year cohorts to run in 2021, IFS will continue to offer scholarship support thanks to the Fullen-Smith Foundation.

In memory of Ben Bohl, we started the Dr. Walter “Ben” Bohl scholarship fund in the fall of 2019.  Since then, we have raised nearly $9,500 for the fund. This fund is ready when schools begin to travel again and have students who need assistance to attend the program. Group leaders will be notified once we open up that fund to help us identify students who could benefit from it.

Stay tuned for additional updates to this blog as we continue to share how IFS gives back to students both near and far. Thank you to everyone who has contributed in the past and continues to support IFS. Share this blog on your social media channels or post our donation page to help spread the word: intlfieldstudies.org/donate

Gap Year Alumni: Faith Hertz

Tell us about yourself prior to Forfar!

I am from San Diego, California. I went to a small private school from kindergarten all the way to my senior year and I am 19. After graduation, I was planning on attending a university, but the weeks leading up to my move in date, I became less excited about going because I had no idea what I wanted to do and that’s when I decided to take a gap year and it was definitely the best decision I ever made!

How did you hear about the Forfar Marine Science Program?

I began researching different programs and things I could do during my gap year and found the Forfar Marine Science Program.

What was one (or some) of your favorite parts of the program?

One aspect of the program I really enjoyed was finding my passion for learning again. Every lecture we had, I genuinely was so interested in learning and I wanted to learn even more. After snorkeling or diving, my friends and I would hit the ID books to find and learn about all the fish and sea creatures we saw. It was truly amazing being in an environment where you’re learning about subjects that interest you and being surrounded by people that love learning and want to share their knowledge with you. The staff was so knowledgeable about so many different subjects that as students, we got a wide range of education whether it was birds and fish or island geology or botany!

Another part I loved, is that we were constantly pushed outside of our comfort zones. Scuba diving for the first time was probably one of the most intimidating things I’ve ever done, but it turned out to be my favorite activity to do. Although it was scary at first, our whole group was doing it for the first time too which made it a fun adventure!

What was the most challenging aspect or task?

The most challenging part for me was finding time to do the papers or study for quizzes/tests because I always just wanted to hangout with everyone or swim in the ocean. I suggest having some study/homework parties because it makes it more fun!

What was it like living with the other students you hadn't met before? Do you still keep in contact with anyone?

I’ll be the first to admit that I was a little nervous living with people I didn’t know for 6 weeks, but it was so much fun! Being with the same people 24/7 makes you bond together so fast! I have met my best friends from my trip and I only knew them for 6 weeks. We’d stay up late laughing and chatting. Being together all day everyday creates the most special friendships I’ve ever had! I still talk to lots of the people I met on the trip! One girl and I coincidentally ended up going on a second gap year trip together which was so fun! And some of the other girls are coming to California for a mini vacation!

What advice would you give incoming students? Would you recommend this program to anyone?

My advice for incoming students is to keep an open mind and remember to live in the moment! There will possibly be some subjects or activities you’ll have to participate in that may not interest you, but if you keep an open mind, I can almost guarantee that you’ll enjoy it more than you think. When I got there, I absolutely hated birds, but a few weeks in I was taking every opportunity to go birding and would wake up at 6 am to go (and I am not a morning person), but these are truly some of my best memories! To me, 6 weeks sounded so long, but it went by quick so remember to take in everyday and appreciate where you are because it is truly beautiful! I would absolutely recommend this program to anyone who loves learning, traveling, and the ocean. Even if you don’t want to major in marine biology or environmental science, you’ll have experiences you’ll remember your whole life!

What would you say to ease parents minds about their child traveling to the remote location of Andros?

I will say my parents were a little nervous about sending me to a remote island they never heard of, but it was so safe! I always felt so safe there and the staff had all our backs. Plus, your child will be having so much fun that’ll be the last thing you’re thinking about!

Where are you now?

After Forfar, I went on a semester at sea in the Caribbean which was another amazing experience! I have been working on more scuba certifications and am currently working up to be a divemaster hopefully by the end of the year! This fall, I will be attending the University of Tampa with a major in Marine Biology and I’m so excited to be continuing my education there.

Anything else you want to add?

If you’re thinking about taking a gap year, I would 100% encourage you too! I have met my very best friends through these programs. I also have found my passion for the ocean and scuba diving and am now more ready than ever to leave home and attend college. If it hadn’t been for this program, I wouldn’t have known what I wanted to do with my life. I grew so much as an individual from that program and I encourage anyone to do it, even if you’re scared like I was, it was the best decision I have ever made! Watch the YouTube video I made of my experience!

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Faith is also our Student Ambassador and is happy to talk to any parents or students who are interested in enrolling in the Forfar Marine Science Program. Email office@intlfieldstudies.org to get connected!

Alumni Highlight: Michael Vincent

Michael Vincent, Former Student and Group Leader

Michael with the Miami University Class of 2018

How did the Miami University Botany program at Forfar Field Station start?

The program started with Hardy Eshbaugh and TK Wilson after they discovered Forfar while on a birding trip to Andros. They started the botany course at Miami University with a travel component to Forfar back in 1972. My first visit to Forfar was when I took the course as a graduate student at Miami in 1986. Then, in 1995 they brought Jim and I down to the field station to learn how to teach the course and ever since then I led the trip for Miami Botany. We now have Rich Moore leading the student trips with another graduate student since I’ll be retiring in July (2020). It’s the 3rd generation of Miami Botany, how exciting!

What was your official title at Miami? Were you always on track to becoming a professor or how did you find yourself there?

I’m the Curator for the Willard Sherman Turrell Herbarium.I knew I loved botany when I was five years old when I would sit around looking at plants so I’ve been doing what I always wanted to do. My parents went to Miami and it was the only school I applied to since I knew about their impressive botany program. Since I started at age five, I like to tell people I’ve been a Botanist for 60 years now!

What are some of your favorite memories from the student trips?

It was amazing seeing the students grow over the course of 2 weeks both personally and in their understanding of biology. I remember seeing dolphins come in with the boats on the way back to Forfar after a day out on the ocean. We had some students jump out and swim with them. There were also some harrowing experiences in years prior where we were stuck on a Cay during a sudden thunderstorm with tremendous amounts of thunder. Mostly, just seeing how much the students got out of this type of experience.

How did you see Andros/Forfar change over the years?

The advent of electricity readily available on the island made a huge difference. When we first visited it was intermittent at best with no regular electrical service. Electricity was only available certain times of day and just came from generators. There was no generally available water system either, just water tanks for rainwater so we had to be extra careful about water consumption. The station has become more and more modernized over the decades which has been huge. I’ve seen the population of Andros grow and more development happen. I’ve struggled with seeing some sites lose their biodiversity; one beautiful field of orchids was bulldozed when a bonefishing resort lodge was built. Luckily, Andros is still remote enough that it hasn’t been too developed.

Was it challenging being a group leader? What was the most rewarding part?

The most challenging aspect was if we had students who were immature or would misbehave. The most rewarding part was certainly seeing the growth in the students' understanding of the concepts we were teaching and their excitement in the field.

What is your favorite land or boat day?

As a Botanist, I prefer being on land and am not much of a water person. Though I did love Pigeon, Rat Cay, and Saddleback for the boat days. Land, oh golly, there were so many neat places! Atala Coppice was certainly a favorite and any blue hole filled with orchids and bromeliads. I loved seeing so many diverse habitats. For such a small place, it’s so fun to go from habitat to habitat giving the students the chance to compare them.

When was the last time you were at Forfar? Do you ever see yourself returning to Andros or Forfar?

I was there with my last student group in 2019. I hope to return someday soon and bring my wife with me to experience Andros. I’m about to retire and plan to work on a flora book so I’m hoping to visit Andros again as part of that research. I think I’ve been to Forfar 60 or more times over the course of my life.

What does Forfar mean to you?

Miami U Students studying at Forfar

Forfar was a big part of my career as a scientist. Especially with how important it was for me to have access to the area the way I did through Forfar Field Station since I was able to be in the field in a way that would not have been offered to me as a normal tourist. I would always tell my students beforehand I wanted them to learn how to see things on this trip. They go through school being taught ‘this is a leaf’ and ‘that is a petal’ but I wanted them to understand all the subjects, physiology and ecology, and see everything together - which they did.