This was my first time participating in the Sea & Learn school activities, I enjoyed watching the kids interact with the different scientists and have fun with the activities.I myself got to learn new stuff. I enjoyed meeting the different scientists and hearing them explain what they do and also learnt stuff I didn’t know. This has been the best experience and I hope to participate again. Andrea Hassell
With minimal staff and a bare-bones budget, this organization continues to have an outsized impact on the island of Saba - and now expanding to other nearby islands in the Dutch Caribbean. The Sea and Learn program draws in local Sabans and tourists for presentations and field projects that highlight the importance of preserving the marine and terrestrial environments on and around Saba. The Adopt-a-Box program combines beautifcation of the island's roads with education about Saba's history, culture, and nature. My spouse and I are proud long-time supporters of this nonprofit, and the programs and services they offer just get better and better.
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We discovered Sea and Learn on our first visit to Saba in 2007. We returned the following year and have come back nearly year since. We now own a cottage on Saba and are proud to sponsor the program and offer free accommodation to presenters. As a scientist, I know the importance of science education and community involvement, and this is the best example of that I’ve seen. I’d love to see this model used to raise the ecological awareness of residents of and visitors to places like Saba.
I was invited by the Sea & Learn Foundation to share my knowledge as an insect expert and was amazed to see how friendly and thorough their organisation is. They really live up to their mission to inspire both the local community as well as the tourists to learn about, love and hands-on protect the beautiful nature on Saba. I feel priviliged to have been part of their mission and hope more, especially young and local, people will study the important insect community on the island.
I joined the Sea & Learn event on Saba and St Eustatius 2024 as one of the presenting experts. It was a real pleasure to share our shark studies and knowledge with a wide audience and have a dialogue why sharks are so important for healthy reef systems and eco-tourism. With evening presentations that drew nice crowds on both islands, and activities with school kids (experience them how we catch, gently handle and tag sharks), elderly (got good insights how fishermen treated sharks in the past and how they were perceived then) and scuba-divers during dedicated dives. Sea & Learn Foundation, Lynn and Emily, had organized this all very well and professionally. It was a treat! And I would recommend anyone to join future Sea & Learn events when you have the chance. Erwin Winter (dr H.V. Winter, Wageningen Marine Research & Wageningen University, Netherlands)
Where to begin? Besides fascinating presentations at local restaurants (where we remain for dinner); there are hikes, day and night; and dives to preserve the coral reefs. Workshops engage school children, teens, the elderly, and everyone in between. This has been a great way to learn about the world around us and a way to get to know our fellow islanders. The people giving the presentations are local and from abroad. Visitors repeatedly come to Saba to partake in Sea & Learn during October.
Sea & Learn Foundation also has Create & Learn brings local and foreign artists of many media. The students are local and visitors who come to spend time here to learn new skills and arts. Again, the children, teens, and elderly are involved.
Our roadsides have been beautified by the Adopt-A-Box program. Large electrical boxes serving homes and businesses are covered by an attractive painting or a collection of old photos explaining a particular piece of Saba flora and fauna; or about people of Saba. I have learned amazing stories of valiant people who either lived during the difficult past, and those who went far out of their way to help others.
Sea & Learn Foundation takes education out of the school house and into our precious, life-long memories.
I had the good fortune of being asked to serve as an expert for the October 2023 Sea & Learn program on Saba, run by the Sea & Learn Foundation. What an excellent program and amazing experience! The program brings scientists (experts) from around the world to Saba to share their knowledge. Experts provide seminars, which are attended by both locals and tourists, and are hosted at various venues (restaurants & hotels) throughout the island, which provides not only broad accessibility for attendance but also benefit to the venues. This is not just a typical seminar program, though. The organizers, Lynn and Emily, and their assistant, Grace, make sure their program has maximum impact. The experts also lead field experiences (such as hikes and scuba dives) in which participants (again, locals and tourists) can experience first hand the topics of the experts' studies. Additionally, the experts conduct activities with multiple school groups and visit with the elderly of Saba. I can't think of another program that has such broad impact across so many age groups, locals and visitors. The logistical effort of setting all this up, across the entire month of October, cannot be understated, and Lynn, Emily, and Grace make it look easy, and with smiles no less! Everyone I chatted with, from adults to kids, really enjoys Sea & Learn. I'm so impressed by the program and feel honored to have been involved.
I had the privilege of being a part of the Sea & Learn program for two years (October 2022 & 2023) as an intern. I have learned a great deal from the various marine and terrestrial experts during both events that I would have never learned about without this experience! This is an exceptional program that continuously strives to engage people from all age groups, bringing together the community of Saba and visitors from around the world to participate in various activities alongside expert scientists to promote and grow environmental awareness. Lynn and Emily do immense work to make this program a success each year. This has truly been an unforgettable experience and I am grateful for the opportunity of being a part of their team and being able to learn and participate in the various fun activities during two month long events!
The Sea and Learn program is a wonderful addition to the small island community supporting the ecology and neighborhoods. Sea & Learn provides education for all ages and supports tourism, an important source of income.
As an occasional speaker at events, the team is well organized and very efficient with funds. This past October, during the Sea & Learn signature month-long program, there were presentations and field exercises at the senior center, for visiting tourest groups and for local students of all ages. I can't think of a better nonprofit program.
I had the opportunity to be an expert (coral disease and treatment options) as part of the Sea and Learn Program on Saba in October 2022. It was such a privilege to be a part of this spectacular program! During our week-long event we led citizen science dives for adults and youth programs, conducted education programs for the high school students, and provided seminars at the Senior Citizen Center and an amazing restaurant. Our schedules were packed with events, and it was so much fun. I loved interacting with the participants of the program, other experts, and the organizers. Lynn and Emily were amazing, and the island is so lucky to have such a unique and rewarding program!
A great program with very diverse workshops, talks, field excursions etc. A great way for tourists and locals to learn more about the nature around us. It is also great that different organizations are involved in the program so the elderly, children and social workplaces also have the opportunity to learn more.
We had a very nice time joining Sea and Learn. Like the presentations, where we learned about about anoles (lizards), coral disease, sea floor mapping, sea urchin and much more. Also the field projects were very nice, mostly we went diving, where it was nice to see how scientists work and the importance of their work to help protect the reef.
The other great thing about this project is that a lot of focus is on educating the youth. All scientists go to the schools and teach the children about their specialty. Very important that the youth is being educated about the environment!
I had the opportunity to be a part of the Sea and Learn program along with my boss and I have to say that the work those guys are doing there is amazing! Lynn had everything set up for us and took care of anything we needed. I can't praise the Saba community enough! Everyone was so inviting and lovely to talk to! I can see why so many people visit and never want to leave. This program offers an amazing opportunity for everyone involved in such a beautiful place! I hope to be involved with this program in years to come.
I was honored to be invited to Saba to engage in Sea and Learn 2022. During this experience, I not only had the privilege to educate community members, tourists, and students, but also coordinate field work and learn from other international experts. I can't wait to return to another Saba to be one of tourists learning from the many experts that are part of Sea and Learn.
I had the honor of presenting at the annual Sea & Learn event in October, and I had such a great time working with this non-profit. The Sea & Learn Foundation has created such an informative and engaging curriculum for those on Saba who are interested in learning more about their environment. Experts presented on topics ranging from marine biology to geology and participated in outreach with the local schools and senior citizen communities. Sea & Learn is such a well organized and crucial program that helps to bridge the gap between scientists and the local community. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this program to other scientists and those visiting or living on the island of Saba. Many thanks to the Sea & Learn Foundation for all their hard work as environmental stewards!
Sea and Learn on tiny island of Saba inthe Caribbean has been providing a way for Sabans and Tourists alike to learn more about the envirionment here on the island, both above and below the ocean for many years.. Every October they run a month long program inviting experts on a variety of subjects to come and share their knowledge and conduct research on the island. The public attends presentations and have the opportunity to go on field projects with an expert. This provides participants with the chance to actually collect data like an expert! The experts also visit the local schools and the old age home to encourage people of all ages to take part. They have great support from local businesses who host experts, provide raffle prizes and venues for the presentations and field studies.. Lynn and Emily work the entire year to make this event the wonderful program it is today. As a diver and hiker I have really enjoyed this program in the past and look forward to returning next year to see what they have in store for us.
Sea & Learn was an integral part of my learning in the world of science. With “A list” scientist presentations, community support, and even local outreach to schools on the island, they really go above and beyond to bring their mission to life. Lynn and Emily are complete rays of sunshine and determination to make this happen, along with everyone else that helps to support them. This is an event that will bring me back to saba every year, to see new research and to meet many new friends throughout it. Every area should have events like this available to the public, maybe this is the start.
Sea & Learn provides outreach for the importance of environmental protection through awareness and education. Guest Experts cover a wide variety of topics from land to sea and the creatures that makeup Earth's complex bio-diversity; with a focus on Saba and surrounding islands. Thanks to the generosity of many, Sea & Learn is open to anyone via internet; Which has allowed me to attend many of the broadcasted events. As is prior years, I'm excited to join virtually this year too. Attend as a guest, leave as a Citizen Scientist.
Sea & Learn on Saba has been such a gift to the small island in the Dutch Caribbean. Famous Scientists from all over the world have visited over the years to share their extensive knowledge on so many topics relevant to Saba. They give evening presentations, lead field trips, and visit the local schools to share their expertise. It has been instrumental to the educational development of the island, and the government has even made some very important decisions based off insight from the scientists. Sea & Learn on Saba has changed Saba for the better.
Sea & Learn not only educates but immerses individuals into the experience and environment. It’s an incredible organization that benefits the entire community!
Saba would not be the same without Sea & Learn. For the last couple of decades, the team organized one month every year stacked with scientists visiting the island, teaching everyone about our island's nature and history.
Every natural aspect of the island is explored; not a stone left untouched. I have seen expert scientists talking about volcanos, corals, moths, spiders, underwater ROVs, super massive black-holes, pirates of the caribbean, sea grass, iguanas, sea sponges, turtles, sharks, and the list goes on and on.
Evening presentations are only a portion of the fun, and you are also encouraged to take part in actual field research and nature surveys arranged throughout the duration of the month October. The same experts also work with ALL Saba's Schools and other community members to see to it that the next generation continues to take pride in the nature of Saba.
This year, I had the pleasure to actively participate and run a program with 3 students, teaching them the PADI AOW course, including 5 science oriented Sea & Learn dives. Preparing them to join the scientists during their field projects this October and to start building the skills they need to become future scientists themselves. Opening the doors to the world of nature conservation, - management and simply respect and love for our surroundings.
I truly hope this program will run for at least another decade, so that my kids can enjoy all the mesmerizing stories of visiting scientist and the adventurous field research!
Having had several friends and colleagues I admire, present at the Sea and Learn series on Saba, I was honored to be selected to present in 2021. I'm not sure if 20 years ago, that they intended to create a well educated community, but they have done that and more. This series is unlike any other - it is an intimate, first hand, hands on, well curated program that engages every age range and demographic. Much of the programming crosses topic boundaries and simultaneously feels like a one on one Master Class in a living lab. Every community on the planet should be so lucky, and I think we are all lucky that Saba shares this opportunity with residents and tourists alike. Where else can you vacation and share a meal with an expert on volcanoes on a Monday, scuba dive with a shark expert on a Tuesday and do a night hike with an entomologist on a Wednesday? No where but Saba!
Sea & Learn on Saba brings together the local community, diverse nature experts and visitors to understand the value of nature, both worldwide and locally on Saba.
Every October a variety of naturalists, scientists and academics provide casual but informative multi-media presentations.
We, the seniors from the daycare activity program LIFE Center, were thrilled to have all these experts available to us. We had a marvelous time and we learned a lot. We had presentations about remotely operated vehicles, spiders & scorpions, sharks, Saba Bank, sea slugs, orchids, lobsters, rays, etc. And Let’s not forget the Sea & Learn Bingo where some of us won some great prizes!
We loved being able to learn new things and also get the opportunity to share our knowledge and experiences with the Sea & learn presenters. We had want to thank everybody and we are looking forward to next October for Sea & Learn.
Two years spent living on Saba and I never learned more than during the month of October for Sea and Learn! There is always such a variety of events to interest everyone, and since they a free to the public, everyone can attend with no issues!
For 9 years I lived on Saba and 2 years I worked as an intern on Sea and Learn . An excellent program with excellent presenters and opportunities to be a citizen scientist. Thanks to this program I'm now heavily involved in wolf conservation and an Activist for wildlife.
My wife & I owned a restaurant on Saba for over 16 years. When Sea & Learn started, we hosted many of the presentations in our restaurant. We thought we were giving something to the foundation, but the things we learned about nature and life, outweigh everything we gave. Sea & Learn is the best thing happened to Saba, bringing people together and teaching us and answering questions we been curious about. We love and support Sea & Learn as much as we can.
Sea & Learn is one non-profit where you get more back than you can ever give. I know of nothing else like it. I have learned so much about the natural world and met so many cool people that care about natural science and the environment.
My family started diving in Saba in 2013 and we heard about Sea and Learn early on. For many years now, we have made a point of visiting the island during the time that Sea and Learn is being presented and we have found the lectures both interesting and educational. We always try to take part in the workshops that are organized as part of the series as well. We have heard lectures on coral regeneration, climate change, how to measure and assess the age of conch and many more topics. Although we have not been involved in the scholastic part of the series, I know that the lecturers also visit the schools on the island and present lectures and workshops to the school age children. The wonderful diversity of topics keeps us coming back every year for more!