The Waterkeeper Cadets program provides Bahamian students with hands-on environmental education and opportunities to engage in meaningful conservation projects. Each year, cadets explore critical ecological issues while building the skills and knowledge to become active environmental advocates.
This year, returning cadets are embarking on an in-depth study of the Queen Conch, an iconic species increasingly under threat in The Bahamas. At the same time, new cadets will focus on water quality assessments in vital ecosystems, particularly around mangroves and beaches.
A highlight of the season is our exciting new partnership with the Grand Bahama Queen Conch Mariculture Center at Conservation Cove. This innovative initiative, launched by Blue Action Lab in collaboration with Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, aims to restore Queen Conch populations through sustainable mariculture practices. As the steep decline in conch resources continues, this effort is critical to ensuring the long-term viability of a species deeply embedded in Bahamian culture and ecology. Waterkeeper Cadets will play an active role in these restoration efforts, gaining hands-on experience with cutting-edge conservation methods.