IFS feels it is imperative we contribute to the local community on Andros as much as possible. One of the ways we give back is though t-shirt sales to guests. When guests purchase the locally made Androsia Forfar T-shirts, all profits go into a scholarship fund for local high school students. This April, IFS was able to donate $1,000 for college scholarships to Central Andros High School.
We want to welcome our newest IFS staff member, Vivienne Main as the new Station Director. She hails from Scotland and came to us by way of Dahab, Egypt where she managed the Open Ocean Science Centre and worked as a SCUBA diving instructor. She has a masters in Marine and Freshwater Biology from the University of Glasgow Scotland. We are excited to have her join us!
Liz Richardson will be leaving as the Station Director this month. We thank her for her contribution to IFS this past year and wish her luck in her future endeavors!
Welcome to the Beast! The newest in the Forfar Vehicle Fleet! One of the challenges we face as an organization is the importation fees we have to pay for everything we bring to the island. Import taxes in the Bahamas are very high. Vehicles are twice as much as they are here and food is 1/3 more as well. Vehicles and boat engines are critical for our programming and must be budgeted for well in advance due to the costs. More vehicles and engines to come! Remember, donations to IFS are fully tax-deductible and will be put to good use to improve our programming!
It is that time of year when we are looking for Environmental Education Interns for the 2017-2018 season! Application deadline is May 31, 2017. Visit our webpage for details about the position. The target start date is October 1, 2017 and ends around August 31, 2018. Completed applications can be emailed to Lindsey Christ, lindsey@intlfieldstudies.org.
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!
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
“My time at Forfar Field Station was truly incredible and I will never forget the memories I made and the people I met!”
“IFS gave me the opportunity to explore and appreciate a truly unique part of our planet. Every day was a new adventure. I saw plants and animals that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. The staff was amazing and the experience was educational, fun, and memorable.”
“Forfar is a well-kept secret from the rest of the world. The rustic experience of living on the beach in a community with experts in their field was absolutely amazing. I learned so much about conservation, and about the flora and fauna of the Bahamas.”
