Monthly Archives: January 2012

Cape Eleuthera Institute, CEI

Update from CEI’s Flats Ecology Research

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So everyone has heard of climate change/global warming- increased anthropogenic CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere shifts annual global climate, which then leads to other catastrophic events within the Earth’s ecosphere. An increase in oceanic temperature and acidity is among the most pressing and readily apparent effects of climate change. Past research has shown fish of tropical reefs to be particularly sensitive to changes in ocean temperature and pH. In the flats department, we aim to determine whether common teleost occupants of tropical mangroves exhibit a similar sensitivity to such changes. Using bonefish (Albula spp.), checkered puffers (Sphoeroides tetudineus), juvenile yellowfin mojarra (Gerres cinereus), and juvenile yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus), we aim to determine the Critical maximum and minimum temperature and pH at which each species looses equilibrium (“goes belly up”). Continue reading →

News

2012 Off to a Strong Start

As The Island School emerges in its 14th year, we feel stronger than ever as an organization having two lead donors ensure the longevity of the school and its supporting programs.

The Searle Family has supported the growth of The Island School since before the beginning. Bill and Sally Searle made their first gift of support in 1996. The entire family has been behind the development of the semester program and the creation of DCMS and CEI. As of today, four grandchildren have undertaken The Island School journey (Jake Searle S’02, Abby Klarr Bebee S’02, Bekah Klarr S’04 and Nathan Klarr S’11). We also have new energy emerging through the program with new Island School parents, Floyd and Kim Wilson, who have become huge supporters of The Island School program since their daughter, Kelley Duggan, completed her semester in Spring 2011. Together, the Wilson and Searle families play a large role in getting 2012 off to such a strong start with two $1,000,000 lead gifts to support endowment, educators, students and programs. Continue reading →

Aquaculture, Cape Eleuthera Institute

The Fish Have Arrived!

I repeat…THE FISH HAVE ARRIVED!

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After much anticipation, we got the call! The cobia fingerlings had a long journey from The University of Miami’s experimental fish hatchery at RSMAS to the Cape Eleuthera Institute. We spent the day preparing the tanks for the fingerlings…scrub, rinse, soak, drain, scrub, rinse, fill! Marie and Josh took the truck to pick up the 13 boxes from the Rock Sound Airport Friday afternoon. It was like Christmas morning when the truck finally pulled up. We put the bags in the tank to acclimate the cobia to their new home. After, we opened each bag and carefully let them free! The fingerlings will be used in an upcoming feed trial. Continue reading →

Uncategorized

Williams College Spends Another January Term at The Island School

For the eighth year, Sarah Gardner of Williams College brought a January term class to stay at The Island School and research different topics. Last year, this class studied how agriculture on Eleuthera could be revitalized, and this year, continued that work by addressing three main issues: fruit and vegetable processing and slaughtering, increasing youth involvement in farming, and changing the packing house system. Local farming on Eleuthera plays a vital role in increasing food security and reducing import dependency, as well as providing economic opportunities for young people. The students remark:

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“To better understand these issues, we conducted field research and interviews with restaurants, farmers, government officials, and high school students. Shaun Ingraham was instrumental in helping us set up interviews with high school students, Continue reading →

Events

NYC Admissions Reception a Great Success!

We had over 50 guests attend the Admissions Reception at the Florio’s Home in New York City last night, including many interested families, prospective students, and of course plenty of alums! Thank you to all who attended–and a very big thank you to the Florios for hosting such a successful event.

The next Admissions Reception event is in Easton, Maryland on Tuesday, January 31 from 6pm-8pm. It will be held at the Koch Home:

28299 Old Country Club Road
Easton, MD 21601

We hope to see you there!

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Events, Uncategorized

Join Us for the Spring 2012 Fiction Writing Workshop with Richard Bausch April 8-15

The week-long workshop sponsored by the Cape Eleuthera Writers & Artist Workshop series will bring together a small group of adults interested in fiction writing to the Cape Eleuthera campus to work with celebrated author, Richard Bausch. Participants will further develop their writing by receiving expert feedback on their own manuscripts in a safe and constructive environment as well as by engaging in writing exercises, by considering issues of craft and of the writing life, and ultimately by cultivating a community based upon the shared love of writing. “Sense of place,” a concept deeply integral to the philosophy and mission of The Cape Eleuthera Island School, will be interwoven into the fabric of the week, both in the actual workshop activities and in “exploration time.” The workshop ultimately promises to be a perfect mix of instruction, inspiration, relaxation, and celebration of the art of fiction.

Highlights of the week include:

  • Intimate workshop experience with veteran writer, Richard Bausch
  • Individualized feedback on a manuscript
  • “Exploration time” to enjoy the beaches, waters, and Cape Eleuthera
  • All-day “Sense of Place” writing retreat at Lighthouse Beach
  • Optional afternoon activities, including SCUBA, snorkeling, and biking
  • Accommodations in the new state-of-the-art Hallig Lodge
  • Variety of evening social and literary events, including sunset cruise, “book club” with author, and catered final banquet

To learn more about the workshop, please click here.

Deep Creek Middle School

DCMS Grade 7 School Without Walls

DCMS students are currently studying in their School Without Walls unit. Grade 7 is conducting an eco-system study of Jack’s Bay and comparing it to other marine environments like the reef at Fourth Hole. Next weekend they will travel to the Exuma Land and Sea Park for an overnight camping and snorkeling trip.  Student Zachary Carey took these photos of their snorkeling trip last week.

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CEI

CEI at the Abaco Science Alliance Conference

Last week members of the Cape Eleuthera Institute attended the 5th Abaco Science Alliance Conference. Every two years Friends of the Environment host this conference that showcases research being done on the areas of natural history and environmental science of Abaco and The Bahamas. This two day event was held in Marsh Harbour and addressed a wide range of subjects, from cave formations to migrating birds.

CEI’s aquaculture manager, Marie Tarnowski, presented on the development of the Sustainable Aquaculture Program at CEI and Annabelle Brooks, Research Manager at CEI, presented findings on lemon shark abundances in mangrove creeks around South Eleuthera. CEI’s Flats manager, Liane Nowell, presented a poster that focused on bonefish handling practices and the bonefish tagging program while Josh Shultz, Aquaponics manager at CEI, presented a poster that focused on developing aquaponics in The Bahamas. This was the first time anyone from the Cape Eleuthera Institute had presented at the Abaco Science Alliance. All attendees from CEI had a great time not only learning about other facets of research in The Bahamas, but also sharing our own novel research and making great connections. Representatives from CEI look forward to attending future Abaco Science Alliance Conferences.

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Reflections from The Maine School of Science and Mathematics

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Students from The Maine School of Science and Mathematics departed this morning, having completed two weeks of research and experiential learning here at The Island School and Cape Eleuthera Institute. During their time on Eleuthera, they worked closely with CEI researchers, while learning about the importance of conserving resources, exploring the surrounding tropical ecosystem, and discovering some of the many hidden treasures of the island. They reflect on their experiences:

“One of the main goals for coming here was to conduct research meaningful to the place in which we were living. We were divided into two groups for our program-long projects, one collecting data on the diet of invasive lionfish via dissection and analysis of stomach contents. This group dissected over 100 lionfish and went free diving among the coral reefs to see them alive and swimming. The other group worked diligently to find the maximum temperature at which certain species of fish can Continue reading →

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Final Thoughts from The Canterbury School

Students from The Canterbury School of St. Petersburg, Florida have had a week to unwind since their time on Eleuthera, and it is without doubt that they have continued to think critically about the world around them and our part in making the planet a better place. It is our hope that they will continue to be stewards of the earth through research, education, and conservation, and that they might serve as a launching pad for sustainable practices in their own community. We wish them well as they embark on their second semester of school and will welcome them back whenever they get the chance!

To read a first-hand account of Canterbury’s adventure in The Bahamas, please click here.

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