More from the Green Team on our Solar Project

My time on Andros have flown by. As I write my last blog entry for Small Hope from the packed Starbucks in Dupont Circle in the heart of Washington, DC it occurred to me that there is no greater juxtaposition to the environment I left behind on Andros. Smart Phones, watches and laptops line every table. Leaving is always bittersweet. Although I am glad to be within walking distance to a hundred restaurants, bars, and stores, I’m already missing the carefree atmosphere.

My last few weeks at Small Hope have been spent overseeing and laying the pipes for the solar hot water system, creating a solar hot water manual and designing a low cost solar hot water system for residential use. The solar hot water manual is meant to document the process that we went through to design and build the system so that other resorts or businesses can follow suit later. The manual includes tediously detailed sourcing information so replacement parts can be easily ordered. The manual also includes detailed schematics, diagrams, and maintenance information.

The rest of the Duke Green team have been busy wrapping up several other projects we have been working on, including an interactive user friendly energy monitoring program that allows users to graphically display information regarding Small Hope’s energy use and cost (total, per capita, etc) and sort according to different factors such as year, season, and end energy use. We also designed a separate solar hot water system for the hot tub. Outside of the project, we have all been proactive with our Andros Bucket List. I finally got to dive Over the Wall at 185 feet, Backside of the Blue Hole, checked out Morgan's Bluff and Mastic Pointe up north, and received my Advanced Diving Certification. 

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The Solar Project at Small Hope

Four months ago, I expected my summer to be spent somewhere in the hustle and bustle of downtown Washington, DC, researching and writing memos on various environmental issues. It didn’t even occur to me that building a solar domestic hot water system in the Bahamas at a dive resort surrounded by mangroves and clear turquoise water was an option! I am glad I made the choice to trade in my metro card and suit for a bicycle and flip flops.

As August, and the end of my time with Small Hope Bay Lodge, approaches, I start to reflect on my experience here and all that has been accomplished. Working with Small Hope has been an incredible experience and a rare opportunity to be able to see a vision turn into a physical reality. I came down here with nothing but a notepad and with the help of some great teammates, Kevin Kurkul, Jake Vestal, and Esi Waters, and the support of the Small Hope family we can leave with a resort-wide solar hot water system, an energy monitoring program, community outreach material on solar hot water systems, and an environmental management plan for the resort.

Time has really flown by and these next few weeks will continue to fly by as we try to finish construction on the solar hot water system. I am ecstatic to get my hands dirty after weeks of dealing with the logistics of obtaining specialized parts and shipping to a remote Out Island like Andros.  (You will not believe how inaccurate those shipping estimate dates are!)

Finally after a few weeks of calling freight companies, distributors, and coordinating with manufacturers, the majority of the parts have arrived! We have been focusing our efforts on building the water manifolds for the hot water storage tanks and starting to solder the copper components. If you are interested in reading more about the specifics of the system, check out my blog entry on the system design. http://blogs.nicholas.duke.edu/internshipblogs/pulling-together-a-solar-hot-water-system-for-small-hope/ Once we are done with that, the team will start to run the pex tubing (a flexible tube that will deliver the end use water) around the resort and to each of our cabins. I am excited to see what our final system looks like and to get it online! I think it will be a great help to Small Hope in terms of reducing its energy costs, but also as an example for the community and to inspire others to follow suit! With plentiful sun exposure, Bahamians really could benefit by tapping into this underutilized resource!

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Small Hope has a new Hydroponic Shade House!

A project that has been long in the making, our new Shade House is almost up and running. The structure is now in place behind the back of the car park, and we are eagerly awaiting the first of our vegetables and herbs. 

At the moment the plan is to start out with a small herb garden (ranging from Basil to Rosemary to Chives), a few tomato plants, some onions and maybe some other vegetables thrown in for good measure!

       

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, without the need for soil! Perfect for Andros where our soil quality is so poor.

Needless to say, the staff are eagerly awaiting its completion and the first of the produce! 

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North Andros land tour with your guide- Dennis

 Wanting to know more about the Big Yard, they call “Andros Island”?

Find out about the history of the island, stop to see just a few of the inland blue holes & learn how they came to be named, hear about the logging days, & learn some folk laws and myths. 

 You will see some local working farms which provide Small Hope with fresh fruits & veggies! 

Explore Captain Henry Morgan’s cave were all the treasure is said to be hidden, or for the more adventurous we will go and see Evan’s cave and blue hole- a small walking trail.

We hit the open road with a cooler of fruits, sodas and drinks and have a great afternoon.


Check out the video.....

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Green Island Living

Small Hope Bay Lodge does it's best to provide a relaxing and enjoyable haven for vacationers while having as little impact as possible on the surrounding environment. In addition to being eco-friendly at the Lodge, SHBL is active in its support of the Andros National Conservancy And Trust (ANCAT).

As a leader of eco-tourism in the Bahamas, Jeff Birch is called upon every now and again to share his knowledge with others. The International Field Station (FORFAR) research station will bring their classes of college students studying eco-tourism and adventure travel to Small Hope to talk to Mr. Birch and get his views on the world of eco-lodges and nature tourism.

Two such classes visited recently and were given a tour of our property, including stops at our recycling center and nursery. Pin It Now!

More Nature Walking on Andros Island

The guests at Small Hope Bay Lodge decided to participate in a little eco tourism on Andros Island by taking advantage of one of our nature walks. Usually the walks are self-guided but Divemaster Loren lead the way for the guests, explaining many of the native plants and sharing some of the folklore associated with bush medicine, which is still practiced throughout the Bahamas. Lee, who is an avid birder, brought along her binoculars and saw a couple of different native birds!

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Nature Walking Through Andros

Small Hope Bay Lodge is good for more than just great diving, snorkeling and bonefishing. We are surrounded by pristine mangroves, coppice land and Andros pine forests. Other Bahamians call the 2300 square mile island the "Big Yard because of the abundance uninhabited land, which makes nature walking and eco tourism an easy thing to do!

Ian and Ann from Nassau, along with their Canadian friends, Eric and Maureen, came to Small Hope to do some nature tourism exploring of this out island. Ian and Ann had never been to the island, even though we are only 27 miles away from Nassau! They thoroughly enjoyed their explorations, heading north to Red Bays to watch the basket weaving and sponging activities. The four friends took long walk in the mangroves and embarked on the Bush Medicine trail that led to the Rainbow Blue Hole.

All four sat with Divemaster Amanda after lunch and talked about their experiences at Small Hope Bay Lodge.

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