Students explore tropical Bahama islands

By Allison Kowalski
LIFESTYLES EDITOR

Photo By Kelly Reidy More than 15 students from Brockport and other colleges traveled to the Bahamas as a part of class. There, students explored underwater adventures and geological wonders of the island.

While some students spent their winter vacation fending off snow and chafing winds, a group of students from the College at Brockport and area colleges enjoyed the warm Bahama temperatures. However, students on the trip did not soak up the sun’s rays or lay on the beach all day — they had to study marine tropical ecosystems while they were there.

The Bahamas trip is a course, Marine Biology/Geology Bahamas, sponsored by Brockport’s international education office, said Dr. James Haynes. Haynes is a professor in the environmental science department. He also teaches the Bahamas course and accompanies students every year.

To prepare for the trip, students meet once a week in the fall semester.

“The main focus is learning about tropical marine ecosystems, particularly five important habitats that comprise them in the Bahamas: patch reef, intertidal, sand flat, grass flat and subtidal hardground,” Haynes said. “To understand the ecology of the system, one must also understand the geology of carbonate islands.”

After months of preparation, students were finally ready to test the Bahama waters. For two weeks in January, students stayed in the Gerace Research Center, located on San Salvador. Every day students were able to explore ocean-life underwater and hike around the island.

This year, two new guests joined Haynes and the 15 students on the Bahamas trip: President and Mrs. Halstead. President Halstead joined the 15 students hiking and snorkeling every day, looking at nature and underwater life for the first week.

“He [President Halstead] did everything we did and was a great contributor to the comradery of the group,” Haynes said.

Each day was filled with a plethora of activities. Participants of the trip hiked to see geographic sites like rock formations, sand dunes and caves. Snorkeling was also a daily activity where participants could explore underwater life. Students would don swimsuits, wetsuits, flippers and goggles to see an array of colorful and diverse fish and plants.

“We snorkel or dive nearly every day to observe the physical and biological characteristics of each marine habitat and their connections,” Haynes said.

Students on the trip had to choose a topic to complete a research project and participate in group activities.

“Evening lectures, participating in social events organized by Bahamians, and getting to know the people on the island who live near the GRC rounded out our activities,” Haynes said.

Overall, the trip made students realize more about themselves and life outside of Brockport.

“My Bahama experience was one I will never forget,” said junior Kelly Reidy. “It was full of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that challenged my mind and my abilities. It left me with a lasting impression.”