Mangrove Program New Additions 2016-2017: Living Oceans Foundation

Mangrove Program New Additions

I’m excited to also share that Symone Johnson, a National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Knauss Fellow, is joining us for the first phase of the B.A.M. and J.A.M.I.N. programs. Symone is volunteering with us as part of her professional development training to learn about managing, implementing, and evaluating education programs such as ours. Welcome Symone!

Symone Johnson helping students at Forest Heights to use a GPS device.

When we arrive in Abaco, Bahamas, Abaco Central High School and Forest Heights Academy are just getting in the full swing of a new school year. It’s a good time to implement our programs. Last year, we piloted the B.A.M. program in various grade levels and classes, but we found that the program aligns best with the Biology grade 10 curriculum. This year B.A.M. will begin in the grade 10 Biology classes and I’m excited to meet all of the new students.

Abaco Central High School Biology Class, Grade 10

Forest Heights Academy Biology Class, Grade 10

Additionally, we will pilot a second year program at Forest Heights Academy with students who participated in the last year’s B.A.M. program. We are very excited to be able to continue expanding students’ knowledge of mangroves!

Forest Heights Academy Marine Biology Class

Keep following our blogs for more information about our new second year Mangrove Education and Restoration program.

From Mangrove Mud to Meaningful Work: Desta’s J.A.M.I.N. Journey

Some students I remember for their grades, their quick answers, or a moment that made the whole class laugh. Others I remember for the way they stepped into the mangroves.

Desta was the kind of student who thrived outdoors. While some students hesitated at the edge of the mud, he walked right in. And when he inevitably got stuck — because everyone does — he didn’t get frustrated. He laughed. Covered in mud, holding mangrove propagules in his hands, he embraced the experience fully.

Even then, it was clear that he was connecting with the environment in a way that went beyond the lesson plan…

From Students to Stewards: A Full-Circle Moment for J.A.M.I.N.

There are certain faces you never forget.

Over the years, hundreds of students have stepped into mangrove forests with us through the Jamaica Awareness of Mangroves in Nature (J.A.M.I.N.) program. I may not always remember every name, but I remember the expressions — the hesitation before stepping into thick mud, the laughter when someone loses a shoe, the look of surprise when they catch that unmistakable sulfur smell rising from the mangrove soil…