Abaco Sustainable Livelihoods

I am a Hurricane Dorian survivor. I was born in Abaco, an out island in The Bahamas, and moved to LaJolla, California at age 11 with my mother and two sisters where life revolved around the ocean. After graduating from CAL Poly San Louis Obispo, and a brief time in San Francisco, I returned to Abaco and managed The Abaco Inn. My daughter and son grew up in Abaco, its unspoiled environment shaping their lives.  They are both college graduates with minors in environmental studies. My father was a founding member of Friends of the Environment (FRIENDS), a nonprofit dedicated to preserving Abaco’s environment for the next generation, and I was involved from the beginning. Thirty years from its inception, I am now the Executive Director of FRIENDS, where I continue to work with an outstanding team helping to preserve our amazing environment through education, research and conservation efforts.

Through its devastation, Hurricane Dorian has revealed a need for island-wide resilience - in our development, environment, economy, and people.  Abaco has a diverse and beautiful environment of global significance for research and for its booming tourism industry, which was nearly decimated overnight. As our communities recover it is important to follow FRIENDS' vision; "living sustainably on an island with a rich biodiversity.”  Our project seeks to identify careers that will add diversity to our economy and support sustainable re-development of our island while building capacity in those fields by facilitating training opportunities for local youth. By engaging on-island expertise we hope to build pride in Abaco’s human capital and grow a supportive network of adults and youth who will maintain sustainable livelihoods. Providing opportunities and helping to lead disadvantaged young people on a successful career path will help enable and empower individuals to create their own success.

While the physical impacts of Hurricane Dorian were most severe in Central and Northern Abaco, the entire island was affected. There was severe damage not only to our environment, infrastructure, and economy but the storm also brought severe mental and emotional stress to Abaco's residents. Prior to Dorian, Abaco’s population was 17,224 (Bahamas 2010 census). Currently, the population is greatly reduced due to displacement from the storm, and to a lesser extent, loss of life. Many people wish to return home but are facing challenges in finding housing, employment, and education opportunities for their children. Prior to the storm, approximately 60% of Abaconians were employed in tourism directly or indirectly. The importance of tourism to our island can’t be overstated, but this dependence was highlighted when COVID-19 lockdowns stopped all tourism for months. We believe there is an opportunity to diversify jobs and direct more of the workforce to sustainable tourism, renewable energy and regenerative farming. Currently there are no on island training programs to support these initiatives. I would like to lead FRIENDS through the development of a targeted education and outreach program to address this deficit.

We plan to leverage existing partnerships, and ultimately seek additional partnerships with industry professionals to provide training opportunities for recent high school graduates in renewable energy, regenerative farming, eco-tourism and environmental research.  Twenty-four percent of the labour force ranges in age from 25-34 (May 2017). This is a very important group to consider if we wish to make long-lasting change. We plan to offer stipends to both local trainers and trainees to provide economic relief and encouragement to participate in our sustainable employment program. Conservation and protection of the island's environment is key to the economic future of Abaco. The project will help to fill gaps left by Dorian’s impact to our economy and highlight vital needs to address conservation and sustainability across industry sectors. Workshops will introduce potential trainees to career opportunities, after which applicants will choose a track. Trainees will then participate in field training, and upon successful completion, they will have gained the knowledge to make educated choices as employment opportunities are presented or they may be guided through the elements of self-employment. Ideally, successive cohorts of trainees would then become future trainers, adding future growth to the program helping to make the program sustainable.

This project will serve the island of Abaco, Bahamas. Abaco's communities and people are extremely vulnerable to climate change, and are struggling to rebuild from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Dorian. Abaco's people need security, opportunity, and hope. The Staff and Board members of FRIENDS were all impacted by Hurricane Dorian, and they have first-hand knowledge of the island’s problems and potential solutions. We are reaching out to teachers, parents, and students to discuss needs in education, and those who are employed in jobs related to environmental sustainability to discuss gaps and opportunities. We believe education is a powerful tool for conservation and long-term sustainability. Many high school graduates who have participated in our programs do not have opportunities for further education. While many are interested in protecting their environment, local training programs are not available. Additionally, there are local fly-fishing guides, farmers, electricians, and dive operators who lost properties and income due to Hurricane Dorian, and who could benefit financially from being involved in a paid training program.  We feel this is a win-win for Abaco: employers are given financial assistance to help them rebuild while sharing environmental best practices with youth entering the work force. 

The entire community of Abaco was affected by Hurricane Dorian creating a long term need for economic recovery. Offering employment opportunities to young men and women, who are often left behind due to lack of training opportunities, in environmentally sustainable fields will help to bring awareness of the importance of conservation. Engaging professionals and trainees in economic recovery will present opportunities to share awareness on the importance of conservation efforts that will ultimately create sustainable livelihoods and behavioural change for the future.

FRIENDS’ education program was developed in 2006, and has since reached over 22,000 students age 3 -18.  Expanding our efforts to reach high school graduates with a work-study program will grow our program and provide opportunities to make connections between environmental education, conservation, research and the work force. When the FRIENDS Board Members and Team Members developed the 2019-2021 Strategic Plan we prioritized support for community projects, environmental ambassadorship amongst students, and eco-careers. 

Hurricane Dorian was devastating and the Northern Bahamas faces a long road to recovery. Decisions made now are critical to a progressive path forward for the country. The community faces challenges including restoration of reliable power, water, food security, building back the tourism industry, and business recovery in general. It has become obvious that we need to move forward with intention, taking advantage of opportunities presented out of this horrific disaster, and work towards building up our community members, and ultimately our communities. This project idea evolved through discussions amongst the staff, as we brainstormed how we could help solve the issue of limited education and employment opportunities for Abaco's youth along with the need to promote island-wide sustainability during Abaco’s redevelopment.  

The love for my island home and its environment has made me the woman I am today. Having children of my own made the connection to conservation even more pertinent as I feel an amazing responsibility to personally help protect our environment for future generations. Protecting the planet has become a way of life for my family. Through my time at FRIENDS I have come to understand that education is the key to environmental consciousness in the next generation and the key to living sustainably on an island. 

FRIENDS has a successful environmental education program and respectable partnerships in conservation and research. Abaco Sustainable Livelihoods  offers us the opportunity to introduce Abaco’s young people to conservation and research projects leading to curiosity, awareness, and action. 

Working with relief groups after Hurricane Dorian brought opportunities to broaden the scope of FRIENDS, that led to an invitation to speak at the Clinton Global Initiative Conference earlier this year, where I realised the work of FRIENDS is transferable, and by sharing our work we can impact others beyond Abaco.

I am passionate about this project because it has the potential to provide  positive change to people's lives, my community and Abaco’s environment.

I am well positioned to deliver this project because of my unique perspective on the development of environmental education and small island sustainability. I have a long history with FRIENDS, watching it grow from grassroots ideas of protecting declining fisheries, to realizing the need for environmental education for all ages, to building the next generation of environmental ambassadors. Watching my children grow up in Abaco and in FRIENDS’ programs, becoming environmental ambassadors in their own right, has kept me hopeful for each new generation. I am passionate about ensuring that other children have the same opportunities. 

I am part of an incredible team at FRIENDS who have built these education programs from the ground up. We established the Kenyon Centre for Research, Education, and Conservation, housing relief groups after Dorian with it's dormitory, kitchen, common area and laboratory, and which serves as a demonstration site for sustainable building and a campus for science and education. The Kenyon Centre enables us to collaborate with visiting researchers and provide outreach and internship opportunities for students in everything from coral and mangrove restoration, to shark and turtle conservation and blue-hole exploration. Our work has brought opportunities to partner with renowned organisations such as The Nature Conservancy, National Geographic, The Bahamas National Trust, The Perry Institute for Marine Science, Abaco Fly-Fishing Guides Association, Bonefish and Tarpon Trust and many more. These varied experiences and relationships forged over the years have put me in the perfect leadership position to be able to deliver this project.

In the first days after Hurricane Dorian devastated my island of Abaco, after losing my home, our FRIENDS’ office, classroom and Natural History Museum, I quickly realised I needed to pull the FRIENDS team together.  It was critical for me to lead my team in the important work of rebuilding with intention. I was determined to be resilient in the face of adversity, and brought the team together who agreed with me that Abaco needs FRIENDS now more than ever, in what capacity was undetermined, but we would be available.  We reached out to our Board, students, donors and partners letting them know that FRIENDS would rise from the devastation of Dorian. 

Being an established local NGO allowed us to provide initial logistical support and local knowledge, helping international NGOs and relief groups with challenges of poor communication, lack of transportation and even basic needs of where to find room and board. These initial contacts have lead us to partnering with international organisations and expanding opportunities that have grown out of needs brought by Dorian. My experience as a Dorian survivor proves that I am strong, resilient and dedicated, and can handle the challenges of leadership required.

In 2017, FRIENDS hired a young Bahamian and recent Eckerd College graduate, Lianna Burrows, as a summer intern. She was passionate, knowledgeable, the right person for the job and a good fit with our team. She was offered a full-time position, but also had other offers. Knowing FRIENDS’ needs and believing that she was the right person, I stepped back from the Director role and told her, "If you were my child, I would encourage you to accept this offer, live up to the challenge and embrace the opportunities presented.” After much encouragement and pursuit, she accepted and moved to Abaco. A week after Dorian hit, I was evacuating Abaco, and this same young woman who was reluctant to move here, was now reluctant to leave with me- she had taken my advice, and she had fallen in love with Abaco. Weeks later, upon our return to Abaco, I included her in critical decisions, she took on challenges, and has lived up to her potential, becoming an integral part of the organisation. By encouraging Lianna to step out of her comfort zone, embrace change, and take advantage of opportunities I have helped her become a leader in her own right. 

Abaco Sustainable Livelihoods is an innovative project because it provides an avenue for sustainable employment, continuing education, environmental awareness and connecting with ongoing scientific research and conservation efforts with engaged partners, while also supporting immediate economic relief. Our program will provide students with opportunities beyond high school and help to build connections between FRIENDS’ education and conservation programs. We have realised that beginning environmental education early instils conservation as a way of life, however commitment needs to be cultivated. To date, FRIENDS’ education program has not been able to adequately support youths as they enter their most challenging phase of life - independence. Abaco Sustainable Livelihoods project will challenge traditional paths of education by encouraging recent high school graduates to sample career opportunities through hands on experiences.

Stated here are the Mission and Vision Statements of FRIENDS.

Mission: Preserve the environment of Abaco, The Bahamas through education, conservation, and research facilitation.

Vision: An island community that will be living sustainably, and proud to be stewards of our rich biodiversity.

The long-term goal for Abaco Sustainable Livelihoods is a recovered economy with increased awareness of the importance of protecting the environment now and for future generations. 

By promoting employment opportunities in alternative energy, eco-tourism and sustainable farming, participants will gain knowledge about the value of a healthy environment creating behavior change that will lead to sharing the importance of environmental protections with family, friends and to the larger community.  

Hurricane Dorian has created a need for adaptation. Abaco Sustainable Livelihoods will create an avenue for economic relief for professionals while teaching young people a trade, who will also be gainfully employed while learning a new skill that leads to environmental conservation.

Helping to create eco-friendly jobs that encompass conservation efforts and sustainable lifestyles will create direct and indirect benefits providing economic relief and fulfilling the mission of environmental preservation while having a positive impact on our island community.

Since the inception of FRIENDS education program in 2006 we have provided over 22,000 environmental education experiences for the youth of Abaco. The entire Abaco population (pre-Dorian) was approximately 17,000 people. Our project's primary focus will be recent high school graduates engaging in a term of training in a selected sustainable livelihood field.

The project will begin with several months of development, followed by a six-month pilot project. For the pilot, we will invite one trainer in each field of: alternative energy, sustainable farming, bone fishing and diving, to participate, with a 1:2 teacher to student ratio. In the first year twelve participants will be directly affected.

Following the pilot project there will be three consecutive six-month terms. Two trainers for each area of livelihood concentration will mentor two trainees per term, directly affecting 92 participants. 

In five years the 92 participants have the potential to directly impact many more people through entering the workforce and interacting in their communities and with visitors.  As Abaco continues to rebuild, the local tourism industry is restored and our economy recovers, the interest in this project has the potential to be high- leading to faster than expected growth. Because FRIENDS is a well-established organisation we have the ability to share evaluations and encourage duplication of the program, which will magnify its impact. Our vision is that the project leads to the development of a stand-alone trade school in Abaco, with those who are trained becoming the trainers.

Engaging in employment and education opportunities can be empowering for an individual. It is difficult to have respect for the environment without the financial means to support yourself, or a family. Employment where you can make a living in a field that is environmentally sustainable will bring awareness to the importance of protecting the environment. Being a person, who through employment, is also protecting our island home, will cultivate individual pride. This pride can be contagious and will lead to sharing awareness with family and community members about the importance of being an advocate for the environment, ultimately impacting a larger section of our island population.  The project goal within the first year is to create individual opportunities for sustainable employment. Within five years we would like to partner with a developing tech school or organisation so that future education and employment opportunities continue to be made available to those entering the work force. 

While Abaco had a large tourism industry, because of the disruption caused by Dorian many in the industry have gone elsewhere for housing and employment, leaving limited experts in the field for training. The economy has been severely compromised and many people who are still on the island are still struggling with basic needs of shelter, food, clean water and electricity.   

Every high school on Abaco was damaged or destroyed, therefore many high school students have relocated due to lack of on island educational opportunities, and because of COVID-19 have had to readjust again and finish their senior years online.  Also, due to COVID-19, opportunities for going abroad to further education are even more limited. 

FRIENDS lost its classroom, office space and Natural History exhibit in the destruction of Hurricane Dorian. Staff workspace and meeting space is limited.  

We hope to encourage experts and potential trainees to stay on the island by providing economic incentives for experts and trainees alike.  The Elevate Prize would provide funding to initiate the program and help this sector of the population with economic growth, therefore contributing to growing commerce. Funding will also help with hiring an assistant to help successfully execute the project, while providing a job to a Dorain survivor who has experienced losses.   

We plan to engage high school graduates through traditional and non-traditional means including schools (public, private, home), clubs, FRIENDS’ past and existing programs, social media and personal contacts.  Providing opportunities for paid internships will provide an income for young people while also providing training opportunities not available elsewhere. 

The Frank Kenyon Centre will be used in place of the damaged classroom to hold meetings, workshops and instruction.  Although much of the hands-on training will take place on the relevant job sites, mentoring the young men and women, sharing hurricane experiences and empowering them with sustainable livelihood opportunities will help them feel connected and encouraged.  The Kenyon Centre will also be utilised as temporary office space for FRIENDS staff. 

As our vision is circular, our goal is to subsidize the participants leading to their successes in gainful employment that will ultimately benefit the economy and lead to growing commerce in the Abaco community. 

FRIENDS believes strongly in the value of partnerships. We already have established relationships that will enable us to operate this project as soon as we receive funding:

Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, Fish For Change and local fly-fishing guides and lodges have worked with us to introduce students to the sustainable bonefish industry and research on habitat protection. Based on data collected for 2018 it was determined that flats fishing “generates $169 million in total economic benefits to the Bahamian economy annually” (Fedler, 2019).

Dive Time and Dive Guana are key community partners in mooring maintenance in marine protected areas and have expressed the desire to become more involved in coral reef conservation.

The Perry Institute for Marine Science involves students in reef restoration projects while teaching the importance of protecting the underwater world.

The Abaco Neem Farm and Lightbourn Family Farm & Apiary, both organic farms, are rebuilding after Hurricane Dorian. They have hosted tours for FRIENDS students and visitors, and were both recognised by FRIENDS in 2019 as environmental leaders in the community.  

Engineered Electric Services has a history of training students, and will be helping us pilot our training program with two trainees during the installation of a new solar photovoltaic system as part of FRIENDS’ Hurricane Dorian recovery.

Fedler, T. 2019. The 2019 Economic Impact of Flats Fishing in The Bahamas. Prepared for Bonefish and Tarpon Trust. Retrieved July 10, 2020; https://www.bonefishtarpontrus....

In 2021 FRIENDS will be developing a capital campaign to fund the rebuilding of our Dorian destroyed classroom, office building and Natural History Museum (the only such exhibit in the country). At the same time we will continue to solicit funding for our current and developing programs. This funding comes from several planned fundraising events throughout the year, individual donations and grants. For several of our developing programs that have been initiated because of the needs of the community following Dorian, FRIENDS will seek grant opportunities from foundations and organisations specifically helping with disaster relief, recovery and rebuild efforts.

We have not yet raised funds for the project

We are seeking $709,930 in grant funds to develop and implement the Abaco Sustainable Livelihoods project. A four month development phase ($29,390; 97% salary, 3% expenses) is necessary to refine the project. We hope to raise this portion by September 2020.  A six month pilot phase ($116,185; 36% salary, 63% stipends, 1% expenses) would begin in January 2021; it would be necessary to raise these funds by December 2020. The pilot phase will be followed by three consecutive six month terms ($564,355 total; 22% salary, 77% stipends, 1% expenses); we aim to raise at least half of these funds by July 2021.

Funding for Friends of the Environment projects and programs are solicited through grants, fundraising events and individual and foundation donors.  If I were to be a winner of the Elevate Prize the funding would be dedicated to this project, and we would continue to seek grant opportunities for additional funding.

The estimated budget for the Abaco Sustainable Livelihoods project for the last quarter of 2020 will include the expenses for further development of the project. Expenditures will be primarily for staff time and office expenses. A portion of several staff salaries, including myself and a dedicated part time employee will ensure the success and growth of the project. We will also be conducting outreach and interviews during this period, engaging trainers to present their occupations and introduce potential trainees to the opportunities being offered.

The staff and office expenses for this four-month period will be $$29,390  

I am applying to the Elevate Prize to help with Hurricane Dorian Relief in Abaco.  There is a need for many aspects of recovery, and the Prize would help the drive to provide opportunities for economic growth and empowerment. 

FRIENDS initiated this program to introduce young people to sustainable livelihoods and help bring awareness to the importance of environmental conservation.   

The Elevate Prize would provide a platform for FRIENDS to showcase our important work. Through the Elevate Prize, we would be afforded the possibility to launch this project and connect with professionals who would provide training and mentorship to those who choose the path of sustainable livelihood opportunities. 

FRIENDS has been working tirelessly as we readjust and diversify after the storm. We have embraced new endeavours that have opened doors for many opportunities. Through all of the chaos of COVID-19 and being in a devastated community we have stayed focused on our mission, while diversifying our programs to meet immediate and future needs.  Professional development opportunities for the organisation would strengthen the work of FRIENDS, and mentorship for our staff would reinforce their incredible commitment and work ethics, helping us to evaluate our impact through these changing times.

Personally, these past months have been a time of growth and gratitude. Processing the gratitude that I have felt for the opportunities that have presented after such devastation has strengthened me and allowed me to become a more successful leader. Mentorship through Elevate would help with further personal growth and leadership ability.

Sustainable financing for our livelihoods project is key to its success. We feel it is important to subsidize the participation of trainers and trainees. By doing so, we help facilitate their participation and simultaneously provide some economic stimulus. However, FRIENDS has many ongoing programs that need support and we do not want to jeopardize their success. As a non-profit organisation fundraising is continuous; currently, funding comes from planned events, individual donations, foundations, and grants. Through Elevate Prize we'd seek to diversify funding opportunities and build community and organizational partnerships that will aid in program growth and sustainability, while helping FRIENDS stay true to our mission and vision.

FRIENDS welcomes partners in many aspects of the organisation and would welcome opportunities for mentorship and coaching as the organisation diversifies. We have found that developing partnerships with aligning missions on joint projects has always been valuable.

We currently seek partnerships with organisations that offer opportunities for students to participate in science and conservation.  For the Abaco Sustainable Livelihoods project we seek partners who wish to help build capacity in Bahamian youth for sustainable livelihoods through the lens of conservation and research. We feel it is vital that our youths (and adults) understand the innate linkages between a healthy Bahamian environment and secure future employment.

The Perry Institute for Marine Science has a strong history rooted in Bahamian marine conservation and over the last few years has grown steadily by training and empowering young Bahamians to take leadership roles in science. 

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) has partnered with The Clinton Foundation to assist the Government and Bahamas Power and Light in building resilience in our energy infrastructure by developing and installing solar micro-grids on public lands. We would like to partner with RMI to help connect young people with the future of renewable energy in Abaco.

Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) is a hardworking NGO committed to protecting and enhancing critical flats habitats, rich in biodiversity and home of the bonefish. In the Bahamas, BTT uses its research findings to educate anglers and improve resource management.

The One Eleuthera Foundation and the newly forming One Abaco Foundation are in the planning stages of developing a trade school on Abaco. The project that we propose would be a stepping stone leading to the possibilities of engaging with many more partners and opportunities for young people.