Trending
The EcoShores Sustainable Futures Network (ESFN) hosted an ecological fieldtrip at Spencer’s Bay, welcoming students and teachers from Antigua Girls’ High School, along with a representative from the Board of Education. The trip highlighted the importance of wetlands and mangrove ecosystems while offering participants an immersive learning experience through both hiking and kayaking.
To begin the experience, the students participated in a safety briefing before setting off on a guided nature walk through the wetlands, where they learned to identify individual mangrove species and understand their unique roles in protecting coastlines, filtering water, and providing habitats for marine life.
Throughout the walk, students engaged in discussions on tidal movements and how changing tides affect the wetland ecosystem. The youths explored topics such as sediment buildup, sargassum blooms, and the impact of plastic pollution observed in the area, including bottles and other debris. These discussions helped students connect their geography lessons to real-life environmental challenges and strengthened their understanding of how land and sea systems interact.
During the kayaking portion of the trip, students observed biodiversity within the wetlands, including fish, birds, and the upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea). Students asked thoughtful questions while onshore and in the water, showing curiosity about the species present, the surrounding environment, and the natural processes shaping the area. The participants went out in groups, which allowed them to encounter different sights and experiences while on the water, later sharing their observations with each other, creating an interactive learning exchange that deepened the overall experience.
Interviews and discussions conducted during the field trip revealed students’ excitement as they shared how the knowledge gained would support their studies. Education representative Mr. Philip Lloyd attended the trip as students and teachers engaged in hands-on learning and explored the wetlands ecosystem firsthand. The experience highlighted the value of on-site observation and information gathering in strengthening long-term learning and future environmental engagements.
Students expressed interest in environmental careers, asking ESFN team members about their journeys into the field and what inspired their work in conservation and sustainability. ESFN encouraged students to explore pathways such as volunteering, internships, and future youth engagement initiatives, opening opportunities for continued collaboration and involvement beyond the field trip.
Britney McDonald, ESFN’s portfolio manager, reflected on the day: “Educating youths, students, and communities about key biodiversity areas is essential. When young people engage directly with these environments, they gain both knowledge and empowerment, which are necessary for shaping future conservation efforts.”
The ecological field trip reflects ESFN’s commitment to education, engagement, experience, environment, and empowerment, encouraging young people, especially women and girls, to see themselves as leaders in protecting natural resources. Through this wetlands and coastal field trip initiative, ESFN continues strengthening the connection between biodiversity learning and conservation, inspiring youths and communities to carry forward the values of care and resilience.
About EcoShores Sustainable Futures Network
The EcoShores Sustainable Futures Network (ESFN) is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainability, environmental conservation, and community empowerment across Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and the Southern United States. ESFN works to address key challenges, including climate justice, biodiversity, youth development, technology innovation, and education. Through initiatives such as the ESFN Volunteer Explorer Program, World Wetlands Day Awareness, Build Your Future, Community Swim Program, and the Endeavour Publication. ESFN fosters innovative solutions and inspires action to protect marine and coastal ecosystems. ESFN strives to create a more resilient and sustainable future for all. ESFN has committed to supporting creative media and cultural expression of vulnerable communities, with a focus on youth.
For More Information:
Email: info@ecosfn.com
Facebook & Instagram: @esfn_anu
Website: www.ecosfn.com
The EcoShores Sustainable Futures Network (ESFN) hosted an ecological fieldtrip at Spencer’s Bay, welcoming students and teachers from Antigua Girls’ High School, along with a representative from the Board of Education. The trip highlighted the importance of wetlands and mangrove ecosystems while offering participants an immersive learning experience through both hiking and kayaking.
To begin the experience, the students participated in a safety briefing before setting off on a guided nature walk through the wetlands, where they learned to identify individual mangrove species and understand their unique roles in protecting coastlines, filtering water, and providing habitats for marine life.
Throughout the walk, students engaged in discussions on tidal movements and how changing tides affect the wetland ecosystem. The youths explored topics such as sediment buildup, sargassum blooms, and the impact of plastic pollution observed in the area, including bottles and other debris. These discussions helped students connect their geography lessons to real-life environmental challenges and strengthened their understanding of how land and sea systems interact.
During the kayaking portion of the trip, students observed biodiversity within the wetlands, including fish, birds, and the upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea). Students asked thoughtful questions while onshore and in the water, showing curiosity about the species present, the surrounding environment, and the natural processes shaping the area. The participants went out in groups, which allowed them to encounter different sights and experiences while on the water, later sharing their observations with each other, creating an interactive learning exchange that deepened the overall experience.
Interviews and discussions conducted during the field trip revealed students’ excitement as they shared how the knowledge gained would support their studies. Education representative Mr. Philip Lloyd attended the trip as students and teachers engaged in hands-on learning and explored the wetlands ecosystem firsthand. The experience highlighted the value of on-site observation and information gathering in strengthening long-term learning and future environmental engagements.
Students expressed interest in environmental careers, asking ESFN team members about their journeys into the field and what inspired their work in conservation and sustainability. ESFN encouraged students to explore pathways such as volunteering, internships, and future youth engagement initiatives, opening opportunities for continued collaboration and involvement beyond the field trip.
Britney McDonald, ESFN’s portfolio manager, reflected on the day: “Educating youths, students, and communities about key biodiversity areas is essential. When young people engage directly with these environments, they gain both knowledge and empowerment, which are necessary for shaping future conservation efforts.”
The ecological field trip reflects ESFN’s commitment to education, engagement, experience, environment, and empowerment, encouraging young people, especially women and girls, to see themselves as leaders in protecting natural resources. Through this wetlands and coastal field trip initiative, ESFN continues strengthening the connection between biodiversity learning and conservation, inspiring youths and communities to carry forward the values of care and resilience.
About EcoShores Sustainable Futures Network
The EcoShores Sustainable Futures Network (ESFN) is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainability, environmental conservation, and community empowerment across Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and the Southern United States. ESFN works to address key challenges, including climate justice, biodiversity, youth development, technology innovation, and education. Through initiatives such as the ESFN Volunteer Explorer Program, World Wetlands Day Awareness, Build Your Future, Community Swim Program, and the Endeavour Publication. ESFN fosters innovative solutions and inspires action to protect marine and coastal ecosystems. ESFN strives to create a more resilient and sustainable future for all. ESFN has committed to supporting creative media and cultural expression of vulnerable communities, with a focus on youth.
For More Information:
Email: info@ecosfn.com
Facebook & Instagram: @esfn_anu
Website: www.ecosfn.com
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors now use Lorem Ipsum as their default model text, and a search for ‘lorem ipsum’ will uncover many web sites still in their infancy.
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors now use Lorem Ipsum as their default model text, and a search for ‘lorem ipsum’ will uncover many web sites still in their infancy.
The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making
The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors now use Lorem Ipsum as their default model text, and a search for ‘lorem ipsum’ will uncover many web sites still in their infancy.
We’re excited to introduce Emonew, Dominica’s fresh new source for general country news. From community updates to national stories, we’re here to keep you informed, connected, and up to date.
Copyright Emonews 2025
