Current Projects
Sustainable Solutions for Real-world Problems
Our research at the Cape Eleuthera Institute focuses on the diverse habitats of Eleuthera. A wide array of terrestrial and marine environments are within a 10-mile radius of our campus, including old-growth coppice, rocky shores, tidal flats, mangrove creeks, seagrass meadows, and patch reefs, all of which play valuable ecological roles and support unique subtropical species. In addition, we live in a rich habitat of natural resources from solar and wind energy to oceans and farmlands. By harnessing these resources, we learn how to lessen our impact and conserve our world.
Coral Reefs
Coral reefs, known as the “rainforest of the sea,” support 25% of all marine life, and they provide essential goods and services that boost the local economy in The Bahamas, but some corals species, such as staghorn and elkhorn, are endangered, because local and global stressors are killing reef populations faster than they can recover and reproduce; therefore, our researchers at The Bahamas Coral Innovation Hub (BCIH) are combining both proven and innovative coral restoration techniques to speed up and improve the reefs’ natural recovery process in South Eleuthera.
Sharks
Our research focuses on the impact of marine pollution on the health of various shark and ray species inhabiting the coastal regions of Eleuthera. These species include Caribbean reef sharks, tiger sharks, nurse sharks, lemon sharks, blacktip sharks, and southern and Atlantic chupare rays. Our scientific expeditions involve non-lethal capture and sampling using minimally invasive techniques in accordance with international animal welfare guidelines.
Oceans & Climate
CEI is focusing on atmosphere and ocean interactions in the tropical Atlantic Ocean. The purpose of our research is to introduce a physical science component to understand how the ocean works and the role of the atmosphere in oceanography and biogeochemical processes. Learn more about CEI’s research in the physical climate sciences.
Food Security
The Bahamas currently imports over 90% of its food, making it the second-most vulnerable country in the region to shocks in food supply. Working in tandem with government strategy, our food security research initiatives aim to develop innovative techniques that sustainably maximize local food production while appropriately utilizing our natural resources. Learn more about CEI’s food security research initiatives.
Resource Management
In Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like The Bahamas, resource management presents challenges that directly impact our environmental health and sustainable socioeconomic development. At the Cape Eleuthera Institute, one of our pivotal research areas seeks to investigate how we manage one of our most valuable resources, waste, and challenge our actions to live well in a place. Learn more about CEI’s resource management initiatives.
Lobsters
In Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like The Bahamas, resource management presents challenges that directly impact our environmental health and sustainable socioeconomic development. At the Cape Eleuthera Institute, one of our pivotal research areas seeks to investigate how we manage one of our most valuable resources, waste, and challenge our actions to live well in a place. Learn more about CEI’s resource management initiatives.
Sustainable Systems
Our remote location in southern Eleuthera has always required a high level of self-sustainability. Our staff at CEI, and an ongoing community commitment, has helped to make The Island School a pioneering resource in The Bahamas in environmental engineering and sustainable living. Our research into sustainable systems is ongoing and a part of the way we live each and every day.
The Island School Stories
From climate change to coral reefs and farms to fisheries, our diverse research initiatives are all focused on addressing the big challenges to living sustainably in an island community. We pride ourselves on the high quality of our research that draws in collaborators from institutions around the world.”
