After collecting a container of algae from the south end and bringing it to the ELC, Lindsay and the kids all took a closer look at the ecosystem of coralline algae.  They found all kinds of juveniles including sea worms, brittle sea stars, sea cucumbers, crabs and shrimp—all a perfect treat for our aquarium fish!  In the meantime, Will, our naturalist, caught a curly tail lizard to feed our terrarium rainbow boas.  The kids learned all about the marine and terrestrial food chain from both the marine investigation and our snake feed at the ELC.

I thought you guys might enjoy seeing these guys. They hatched 4 days ago and the majority emerged and made it to the ocean under the cover of darkness. While excavating the nest with a local turtle researcher, we found 17 that were still buried in the nest. We took DNA samples and measurements before releasing them later that night. Pretty cool day at the office!

- Will Hobbs, Director of Outdoors Pursuit

Will Hobbs- Director of Outdoor Pursuits

Turtle Tracks!

Early this summer Ambergris Cay’s resident Naturalists Will Hobbs and Lindsay Mensen visited Providenciales to host an exciting two days workshop with primary school students from all over Providenciales. The interactive event took place at the Children’s Park in the Lower Bight and welcomed primary students to learn about mangroves and the local Turks & Caicos eco-system in which they live. Students learned the importance of preserving and conserving the natural beauty and fauna and flora of the islands.  They also got to have a a hands-on opportunity to learn more about the indigenous Rock Iguana and Bahama Boa.  At the end of the workshop, students were presented with an Ambergris Cay themed coloring books which offered students a chance to submit their colored artwork to Ambergris Cay to be displayed at the Providenciales International Airport.  Rotating pictures, nicely displayed in frames can now be seen in the international departure and arrival lounges of the airport.

Glen Gerber from the San Diego Zoo joined us here on Ambergris again this last month to continue his ongoing rainbow boa research. After a fun filled night of collecting boas, joined by junior Naturalists Shelley Vohr and Marshall Sanford, we ended the hunt with 4 recaptures and 2 new specimens. The recaptures are exciting in that they provide valuable information on the snakes’ growth, preferred habitat and movement patterns.

We are excited to join efforts with Glenn and his team as we expand the Ambergris studies of iguanas and boas to include the sea turtles that surround the cay and thrive in the waters that surround us. Good work Glenn! We are already looking forward to your next visit.

-Will Hobbs, Director of Outdoor Pursuits

In the “Kids Free Press” section of the Turks & Caicos Free Press newspaper (June 18-24, 2009, Vol. 19, Iss. 21 edition), Kazz Forbes shares facts about Rock Iguanas in the Turks & Caicos Islands and specifically mentions that Ambergris Cay is inhabited by a significant amount of Rock Iguanas.

Click link to see article: Iguanas Rock!

-Mai Moore

Will Hobbs, Lindsay Mensen & Mai Moore

Students coming to the series..

Lindsay explaining to the kid's about Mangroves

Will showing the Bahama Boa to the students.

Will showing the kid's the Curly Tail Lizard...

Where's the closest Dry Tropical Forest? Right here in Turks & Caicos...the kid's answered...

Even a teacher got into holding the Boa!

Brian Riggs from the DECR helping out Will at the visit by passing around one of the Boas!

Kid's checking out the Turks Head Cactus

Bye Bye Curly Tail Lizards...time to go back home to Ambergris...

Turks & Caicos Sporting Club Interactive Visits in Providenciales
Ambergris Cay Naturalists Conduct Eco-Presentations for Providenciales Primary Schools

May 6, 2009 -Ambergris Cay, Turks & Caicos, BWI - Turks & Caicos Sporting Club at Ambergris Cay’s resident Naturalists, Will Hobbs and Lindsay Mensen, travel to Providenciales on May 14th and 15th hosting a series of interactive workshops at the newly opened Children’s Bight Park. Created in response to the overwhelming success of the test program held in November 2008 where Ambergris Cay Naturalists visited The Ashcroft School and Providenciales Primary School, the Naturalists return to Providenciales to conduct two sessions with over 2,600 students of Providenciales’ primary schools.

Ambergris Cay’s resident Naturalists invite students to learn about the local environment, discover fun facts about the ecosystems it supports, and meet a few friendly animals from Ambergris Cay. From tropical dry forests to mangroves, the Naturalists will demonstrate the importance of natural resource stewardship. The two sessions cater to select grades, with the first day targeting Senior Kindergarten Groups through Second Grade, and the second day Third Grade students through Fifth and Sixth Graders.
 
“Conservation, preservation and environmental awareness are core values fundamental to Turks & Caicos Sporting Club,” states Peter Pollak, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, DPS Sporting Club Development. “This Community Outreach Program exemplifies the significance we place in introducing stewardship of the land to new generations, the future of our beloved Turks & Caicos.”

Every student will be presented with Ambergris Cay-themed coloring books, which offer each of the 2600 students a chance to showcase their prized artwork at Providenciales International Airport in upcoming months. The parting gifts have been designed by Turks & Caicos Sporting Club and are graciously provided by event sponsors including Digicel, Lee & Astwood Architects and Simon Woods Architects.
 
“We are extremely proud to be able to support the Turks & Caicos Sporting Club and TCI Elementary Schools for the upcoming Interactive Discussions Series,” says Jeffrey Lee, Lee & Astwood Architects Ltd. “As the Architect for the Ambergris Cay Environmental Learning Centre, where the resident Naturalists are based, we look forward to continuous partnerships between the private and public sectors in developing Environmental learning programmes.”
 
“Simon Wood Associates Ltd. is thrilled to participate in sponsoring such a worthwhile environmental education program, taking advantage of the new Children’s Bight Park facilities,” says Simon Wood, Simon & Wood Architects Ltd. “Congratulations and thanks to the Turks & Caicos Sporting Club, their Naturalist staff and all others who have made it possible.”
 
“A clean and healthy environment is important to our long term survival,” says E Jay Saunders, Managing Director, Digicel. “Turks & Caicos Digicel supports eco-friendly initiatives, and we’re excited to be a part of this one involving our youth.”
 
Turks & Caicos Sporting Club looks forward to the interactive visits and pending the response from the local students and schools, cannot wait to extend this program to all Turks & Caicos islands.  Ambergris Cay invites all to join in this exciting community outreach program, made possible by a partnership between Turks & Caicos Sporting Club at Ambergris Cay, the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR), the Department of Education, the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board and the Providenciales International Airport.
 

For more information on the Turks & Caicos Sporting Club Naturalist program
and the Interactive Discussion Series, please visit
www.lifeonthecay.com <http://www.lifeonthecay.com>  

Turks & Caicos Sporting Club at Ambergris Cay is an 1,100 acre private island residential community offering distinguished homesites ranging from $650,000 to $6.5 million USD and world-class amenities such as the longest private airstrip in the Caribbean, world-class fishing, deep water marina, environmental learning center, spa, and fine-dining.  TCSC is created by DPS Sporting Club Development Company, LLC.   DPS develops private, environmentally sensitive, single-family residential sporting communities on historic and unique properties, with a commitment to preserving the distinct character of each location.  These clubs are managed by DPS Management Company, the exclusive service provider for the renowned Greenbrier Resort & Club Management Company, combining world class services, amenities and outdoor pursuits for all ages and skill levels. The award-winning DPS Sporting Club Collection includes The Greenbrier Sporting Club, White Sulphur Springs, WV; Turks & Caicos Sporting Club at Ambergris Cay, British West Indies; The Ford Plantation, Savannah, GA, and Deep Water Cay Club, The Bahamas.
 Life, Well Played!

For more information, please contact:

Mai Moore

Local Marketing Representative

(649) 231-1663

mai@knowledgeablemarketingtci.com

 

Mimi Crume

Director of Communications

(646) 291-8765

mcrume@dpsdevelopment.com