Where are they now? A Spotlight on our Previous Interns - Carolyn Belak!

In this week's spotlight, we are catching up with the incredible Carolyn Belak!

Carolyn lived and worked on Forfar Field Station from April 2014 to January 2016. During her time on Andros Island, Carolyn found her true passion - marine invertebrates! She expressed the importance of field studies for students, saying "My time with students from the middle of the country also taught me the power of experiential learning, something that I'd like to incorporate in any job in the future."

Currently, Carolyn is pursuing her Master's degree at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. Check out her published paper on a queen conch, Lobatus gigas, population in a marine protected area here!

Before returning to school, Carolyn worked for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and also as a dive instructor at a shop in the Bay Area. She has had the opportunity to volunteer on a number of research trips, studying Nassau grouper and queen conch in the Bahamas, as well as plankton distributions off the coast of California.

Diving is Carolyn's passion! She told us, "I've been lucky enough to have traveled back to the Bahamas for conch work (warm water!) but have loved traversing through the kelp forests in Monterey, San Diego, and the San Juan islands. I also like to explore the local redwoods and other hikes too!"

As she reflected warmly on her time at Forfar, ("Everyday was an adventure!") we can't thank Carolyn enough for her passion and positivity during her Forfar days, and we wish her the best of luck pursuing her degree and living the adventures of life to the fullest! Cheers, Carolyn!

Where are they now? An update on our previous intern - Tyler Steube!

It has been a few years since we last caught up with our previous intern, Tyler Stueube, so we thought we would check back in and see what he has been doing lately.

We last caught up in 2018, what have you been doing since?

Since my last update, I have made a career change. Following the pandemic, I moved back to central Ohio and now work as a high school science teacher.

Where are you teaching?

Currently I work for Teays Valley HS in Pickaway County.

Tyler lived at Forfar Field Station from December 2015 to July 2016. During his time there, he strengthened his communication and leadership skills while leading and interacting with students, teachers and researchers. We asked Tyler, how did the Forfar internship benefit you in your current job or your future career goals?

"I was fortunate to have boating and diving experience when beginning my internship. However, this starting knowledge was greatly enhanced at Forfar. This included boat knowledge, operation, maneuvering, and engine maintenance. North Andros is a remote island far from any marine part stores. Being a professional means safety always takes priority. Knowing how to prepare and react to boating issues while still leading and assuring a group is the most important professional skill I gained at Forfar. Others include confidence in leading water excursions and species identification."

Forfar Field Station truly benefitted from Tyler's positive attitude, hard work ethic, and growth as a young professional. His confidence and skills enhance the purpose and importance of the IFS' mission - experiential environmental education!

Since leaving Forfar, Tyler enrolled in a Master's Degree at Texas A&M - Corpus Christi and graduated May 2018. Now he works for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in St. Petersburg, on their Fisheries Independent Monitoring program. In his free time, he enjoys beachcombing and camping along the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, and articulating fish skeletons for his ichthyology class. In the photos below, you'll see him and his dad fishing near South Andros!

What do you love about your new teaching job?

Although I miss the coastal life (especially in the cold Ohio winter!) I enjoy teaching in the classroom. Education has always been a priority in my life and I enjoy mentoring young adults.

"My internship at Forfar allowed me to develop both as a biological technician and a leader. As a teaching assistant and a graduate student, the ability to be a dynamic speaker and maximize audience engagement is paramount. From my time at the field station, I strengthened these abilities daily. Other leadership skills occurred from collaborating with group leaders and the station director. Having an open line of communication helps everyone involved, and in time I came to anticipate group requests which allowed myself and Forfar to exceed expectations. Now as a graduate student, speaking and connecting to others from a variety of backgrounds happens every day. Making the most of those interactions has been greatly enhanced by my time at Forfar."

When reflecting on the professional skills he gained from his internship, Tyler stated:

How to Obtain a Research Permit

IFS is committed to sustainable and responsible scientific research practices. It is the responsibility of all visiting researchers to contact any appropriate permitting agencies and obtain all required permits before undertaking any scientific research. We recommend applying for permits as early as possible. Researchers must provide copies of approved permits to our office in advance of their visit.

PLEASE NOTE: The Government of the Bahamas had instituted an 18 month export moratorium on biological samples that will conclude in November 2020.

For Conducting Research, Conservation Work or Collecting on Andros, Bahamas

1. ALL RESEARCH in the Bahamas requires a permit from BEST

Depending on the type of research, conservation work, or collecting you may be doing, the Bahamas Government will require you work with the correct permitting agency.

Start any research project with an application to the Bahamas Environment, Science and Technology Commission (BEST). You must complete a research permit application found here: http://www.best.gov.bs/research-permits/  Any other permit you apply for will require that you show a permit from BEST. Please allow a minimum of four weeks for processing of BEST Research Permits.

BAHAMAS ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION (BEST)
research@best.gov.bs
Charlotte House, 1st Floor
Charlotte & Shirley Streets P.O. Box N-7132
NP, The Bahamas

2. Marine Based Research Permits

Any marine based research requires a permit from the Department of Marine Resources.  Complete a research application form from the Department of Marine Resources.  

DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES
fisheries@bahamas.gov.bs
East Bay Street
P.O. Box N-3028
NP, The Bahamas
Telephone: (242) 393-1777
Fax: (242) 393-0238

3. Exporting of CITES-listed Species

If you require the export of any CITES-listed species you are required to contact the Department of Agriculture and complete a CITES application form.  

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Luceta Hanna
lucetahanna@bahamas.gov.bs
NP, The Bahamas
Telephone: (242) 397-7457
Fax: (242) 325-3960

4. Any work to be done within a Bahamas National Trust managed park

If your research, conservation work, or collecting will take place in a managed Bahamas National Trust land or marine park, you will need to complete a permit application from BNT found here: https://bnt.bs/science/research-permits/  

Any questions can be sent to science@bnt.bs. You will be contacted within five days to confirm your application, and your application will be processed within two weeks.  You must email your completed permits from Bahamas Environment Science and Technology Commission (BEST), Department of Marine Resources, and/or Department of Agriculture to science@bnt.bs. Pay a Bahamas National Trust (BNT) research permit processing fee of $75 found at: https://bnt.bs/product/research-permit-processing-fee/

BAHAMAS NATIONAL TRUST                                             
science@bnt.bs                     
The Bay Street Business Centre
P.O. Box N-4105
NP, The Bahamas
Telephone: (242) 393-1317
Fax: (242) 393-4978

5. Additional Information:

• The procedures of the permitting processes can change periodically and therefore it is recommended to check in with the relevant agencies about any changes to procedures.

• All research equipment and materials brought into the country need to be listed in the BEST permit for exemption, otherwise, they will be subject to taxes.

• When exporting specimens, also remember to acquire the appropriate import permits from the relevant country.

• Any intention of bioprospecting must be clearly stated on your application form.

• Recurring research with BNT managed national parks will need new applications processed, however, reference to previous application forms and permits can reduce the amount of information needed.

• Refusal to comply with the documentation requirements may be result in the refusal to conduct research within BNT managed parks, or in The Bahamas in the future.    

Welcome the New Interns!

At Forfar Field Station, we are happy to introduce Charlotte King and Abigail Baker as our newest additions!  With incredible experience and passion in SCUBA and marine conservation, IFS is confident in the successes of Charlotte and Abigail as environmental educators at Forfar.  We are also excited to introduce our new office intern in Columbus, Ohio, Alessandra Cancalosi! 

Click to scroll through the photos below.

Abigail Baker, Dive Master from Burlington, Vermont (left). 

Charlotte King, Native Ohioan and Denison University Graduate 2017 (middle). 

Alessandra Cancalosi, dreaming of Andros Island, Denison University Graduate 2017 (right).

Updates and Work Week at Forfar Field Station

With the help of our work week volunteers, staff and interns, we were able to get the station repainted and complete the re-shingling of the lodge. 

We are so grateful to our volunteers during our annual work weeks and encourage others who want to give back to Forfar to volunteer at a future work week (2018 date to be determined). 

If you are interested in bringing down a group to volunteer or are skilled in plumbing, electrical, or carpentry and would like to volunteer your expertise outside of a work week, please contact the office at 614.268.9930 (office@intlfieldstudies.org).

Coral Propagation at Forfar Field Station

As you may or may not know, Forfar Field Station has a coral propagation site that has been in existence since June 2015. The coral line nursery (as shown above) is growing 80 to 90 fragments of Staghorn, Elkhorn and Fused Staghorn species. The largest pieces are 30cm! 

Unfortunately, there was some hurricane damage on the line nursery. The deepest line was snapped, causing some fragment bleaching and death. The line was successfully retied in early February, but must be replaced to fully secure the future growth of the coral species on this line.   
 
 Otherwise, we are excited about the positive results from the coral propagation and restoration efforts so far in the Bahamas.  IFS will continue to partner and assist with the ongoing efforts.  There is hope yet that we can restore, protect, and reverse the decline of our beloved coral reefs.