EXPLORING GEOLOGY AND MARINE BIOLOGY IN THE Bahamas

BY LAUREN ROBERTS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF NATIONAL SCHOLARS

IN EARLY JULY, 12 Judy Genshaft Honors College students traveled to Andros Island, Bahamas for a study abroad course titled, “Exploring Tropical Island Environments by Land and Sea,” led by Dr. Teresa Greely, a College of Marine Science faculty member at the USF St. Petersburg campus. Andros Island is the largest island in the Bahamas with beautiful reefs and the greatest concentrations of blue holes (underwater sinkholes) in the world. The course focused on identifying local species, exploring the geology of the island, and understanding how climate change impacts the marine environment. The students spent the week snorkeling, exploring caves and blue holes, and engaging with the local community. Lectures were provided right on the beach at the Forfar Field Station, where the group also lived during the program. “Personally, my favorite part of the program was how we were immersed in nature the entire time,” shared Honors senior, Lauren Flannery. “Since we were staying on an off-island, we were given the opportunity to learn in environments that have little human interaction and impact.”

In addition to learning about marine life and identifying species, students learned about Bahamian history and culture. They visited the Androsia Batik Factory, which was started in 1973 to share the vibrant art form with visitors and provide employment for local women. The artists hand carve stamps and apply wax to fabric before dying it to create patterns. Students also visited the Red Bays Community, a settlement started in 1821 by a group of people called the Black Seminoles. The original settlers were primarily made up of freed or escaped slaves from the Southern United States who merged with the Seminole Tribe. Most of the current residents are direct descendants of those that fled Florida seeking freedom. Students learned how the Black Seminoles sustainably utilize natural resources to craft baskets, sponges, and wood carvings to create revenue, and joined a local craftsman in learning how to weave their own baskets.

Kinsey Roth, a sophomore on the Tampa campus, reflected, “Andros, although not the go-to tourist destination in the Bahamas, is rich in history and offers visitors a glimpse of island life. Throughout the trip, we were treated to Bahamian food, visited vendors that sold just about anything they could make from the island’s resources, and shown beautiful coral reef and blue holes!”

This program is part of a greater effort in the Judy Genshaft Honors College to create opportunities for students interested in sustainability and environmental protection. International engagement allows students to see how other countries approach the impacts of climate change, and allows students of all majors to learn how to incorporate sustainability efforts into their future careers.