Friends of the Environment August E-News

Preserving the environment of Abaco through education, conservation, and research facilitation.

Dear Reader,

Where are we now—six years after the worst storm of our lives? A quick glance at social media memories can still bring back the time-stamped trauma of those days, filled with anxiety and uncertainty. Yet even in the midst of that difficult time, there were glimmers of hope: helping hands from outside, updates on the safety of loved ones, and encouragement from you—our members and partners. Your support carried us through those dark days, and for that we remain eternally grateful.

With your help, we not only survived the disaster, but found a new trajectory for success—allowing us to support our community and continue the work we are known for. Since Dorian, we have rebuilt from the ground up, embarking on a $2.2 million capital project to construct the Learning Centre. This facility now supports not only our operations, but also serves as a hub for three other organizations. Our staff has grown from five to seven, and together we’ve expanded programs and spaces that strengthen community ties, raise environmental awareness, and inspire environmental stewardship.

We’ve learned to adapt and built resiliency into our operations through renewable energy systems, infrastructure redundancy, and the creation of a disaster response command centre in partnership with the Abaco Emergency Response Unit. We continue to seek partnerships that expand our capacity and create opportunities for conservation and education throughout Abaco.

So where are we going? We are working to increase meaningful interactions with local students and their communities, strengthen support for sustainable development and natural resource management, and encourage livelihoods that sustain both Bahamian people and the environment. This journey is only possible with you. Your continued support—whether through membership, donations, or simply sharing our mission—ensures we can keep building a stronger, more resilient Abaco for the future. Together, we can carry forward the lessons of the past six years and turn them into lasting progress for our community and environment.

Olivia Patterson Maura

Executive Director

Remembering a Friend:

A Lifelong Educator & Environmental Steward

Known fondly to many as "Mrs. Bailey", Michelle Bailey (nee Roach) was recently lost to us due to health complications. Mrs. Bailey was an important part of the FRIENDS community, serving on our Board since 2018 and participating in our education program since its inception. A leading science teacher in The Bahamas, Mrs. Bailey contributed significantly to the national science curriculum, ensuring that Bahamian ecosystems and natural resources were included. She was a long-serving teacher at Patrick J. Bethel High School in Murphy Town, where she encouraged her students to participate in many of FRIENDS' programs, including field trips and the annual science fair (pictured above). When FRIENDS and the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation started the Bahamas Awareness of Mangroves Program, Mrs. Bailey became an enthusiastic participant, guiding her students through mangrove field studies and learning the scientific method. Her input was invaluable when FRIENDS developed a Teachers Guide to Bahamian Ecosystems. She always endeavored to be a supportive role model, especially through her engagement with Girl Guides - who she often encouraged to participate in community projects such as coastal cleanups and mangrove planting. Mrs. Bailey will be deeply missed for her passion, her wit, and the guiding presence she provided to those around her. Our condolences and prayers go out to her family and all those feeling her loss.

Resilient & Resolute: Six Years Post-Dorian

Six years ago today, on September 1st, 2019, Hurricane Dorian made landfall on Abaco and Grand Bahama as the most powerful storm our islands had ever faced. The lives lost, the communities uprooted, and the destruction left in its wake remain etched in our hearts. We remember the courage of those who endured the storm and the strength of our people as we faced unimaginable challenges together.

Abaco has made remarkable strides in rebuilding, while continuing to face ongoing recovery and adaptation needs. Here at FRIENDS, we remain committed to doing our part—hosting meetings with Central Abaco officials, creating standard operating procedures for disaster preparedness, and ensuring redundancies on campus so we are ready for any future event.

We are deeply inspired by the resilience, courage, and hope of our island community. Together, we endure, rebuild, and look forward with strength. We will always be #AbacoStrong.

Summer Camp Season Wraps Up

Summer camp season has officially come to an end, and what a summer it has been! This August, we wrapped up an exciting series of traveling camps in North Abaco, giving students the chance to explore, learn, and connect with their environment in new ways.

We were proud to host another successful year of Fishing Camp in partnership with the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) and Bonefish & Tarpon Trust. Over three days, campers dove into the world of spin and fly fishing. Thanks to IGFA, each participant took home their very own fishing rod to continue practicing their skills long after camp ended. A highlight for many was the much-anticipated fishing day—our fly fishers spent a half-day on the Marls with local bonefishing guides, while our spin fishers enjoyed an exciting trip with Brendal’s Dive Center.

This summer also marked the renewal of a cherished tradition as we packed up our gear and traveled to Grand Cay for the first time since 2018. With the generous support of Carl and Gigi Allen of Walker's Cay, we were able to host a memorable camp where students explored the unique ecosystems surrounding their community.

We are always thrilled to connect with more Abaco youth, sharing our love for the environment and encouraging the next generation of stewards to protect it.

Top: Campers from North Abaco Fishing Camp on their fishing excursions.

Bottom: Grand Cay campers enjoying camp activities.

Summer Camp Report

Check out the infographic below for our summer camp highlights!

Final Quarter Calendar of Events

Saturday, September 20th : International Coastal Cleanup Day. 9:30am-2:00pm at Southside Dock. Please register your group if you plan to attend! See flyer below for more details! All volunteers are welcome. Hope to see you there.

Thursday, November 20th : Abaco Science Fair. Open to the public to view science projects from schools all around Abaco! For more information visit this page.

Location: New Vision Ministries, Marsh Harbour Time: 10AM - 2PM

Thursday, November 27th : Turtle Trot in Hope Town. Join us in a fun run/walk to gear up for Thanksgiving dinner! Interested in sponsorship to help fund marine education and conservation? For donations of $500 or more, your logo will be printed on the t-shirts and promotional materials. We will also highlight your company on social media. If your business would like to sponsor this event, please reach out to us.

Friday, December 5th-Sunday December 7th : Combustion Music Hope

Town Music Festival.

Relive the magic of the 2024 Combustion Music Hope Town Music Festival with this highlight video by Kenny Jackson of Anthem Pictures and get excited for this year’s festival and see what you’ll be supporting!

Saturday, December 14th: Christmas Cove: Crafts, Cocoa and Cheer. Join us on our campus for a fun holiday event where we will have activities for all ages, as well as Christmas shopping from local vendors.

Bahamian students research Bahama Parrot

This summer, FRIENDS partnered with Florida International University to facilitate an internship opportunity for Khori Stubbs to join Demonica Brown on the Abaco Advanced Landscape and Ecosystem Monitoring Project, specifically to study nesting sites of Bahama Parrots. We were happy to undertake some administrative tasks that made this internship possible. We are also encouraged by the leadership and participation of young Bahamian women in field research.

Please follow this link to learn more about their findings.

Giselle Dean (BNT), Khori Stubbs, and Demonica Brown (BNT/FIU)

In the News

Conch Chowder in Space

The Bahamian signature dish, conch chowder, made history— by journeying to space thanks to Bahamian rocket scientist Aisha Bowe. “This is more than just our soup going to space,” shared Enrico Garzaroli, owner of Nassau’s iconic Graycliff Hotel. “It’s a celebration of Bahamian excellence and heritage.”

At FRIENDS, we believe this recognition of conch as an iconic Bahamian species also underscores the importance of conservation and sustainable harvest. Protecting queen conch ensures that future generations can continue to enjoy its cultural, ecological, and economic value.

That’s why this year’s Abaco Science Fair theme—Science, Sustainability, and the Queen Conch—is more timely than ever. Together, we can celebrate Bahamian pride while protecting what makes our islands unique.

For more on this story:

ZNS News Network

Caribbean Journal

Support Programs Today!

Help The Bahamas Mangrove Alliance restore local mangrove habitats!

Red mangrove season is here! Lend a hand with mangrove restoration in Abaco by helping to collect red mangrove seedlings (AKA propagules). Red mangrove seeds are interesting because they germinate while still attached to the parent tree, then drop off as a tiny plant that is ready to go. Along with our partners in The Bahamas Mangrove Alliance we are collecting seedlings and planting them in The Marls, because Hurricane Dorian damaged the seed producing trees in that area.

Propagules/seedlings that are mature and ready to be planted can be found on the ground or waters of creeks, beaches and coastal areas. Some propagules may be picked from the tree, but it's important to follow the guidelines below:

A seedling is mature enough to be planted when it is:

Fallen from the mother tree

green or brown (not red, pink, or yellow)

Greater than 5 inches in length

Has a fully emerged fat brown/yellow collar

Seedlings that you should avoid collecting are:

Securely attached to the mother tree

Attached to the fruit

Damaged or missing the pointy shoot of the first leaves

Dehydrated or dried up at either end

Has no, or partially emerged, thin green collar

Keep your eyes peeled for these cigar-shaped seedlings and help us collect them for planting. Once you have collected the propagules, keep them in a dry container, standing upright or stacked up. You can drop them off at the FRIENDS Campus in Marsh Harbour where we’ll use them for direct planting in damaged mangrove areas.

Photo and guidelines provided by Denise Mizell, Abaco Program Manager, Perry Institute for Marine Science, Bahamas Mangrove Alliance Partner.