Andros Island

Laughing gulls at sunrise.

Learn more about this project with the Online Field Guide.

Much of this island is made up of wetlands that link interdependent land and marine habitats. It features an interwoven mix of creeks, coral barrier reefs, mangrove flats, tidal creeks and pine forests. Saltwater and freshwater blue holes are vast networks and complex webs of tunnels connecting land and sea. Groundwater is filtered through an expanse of porous limestone.

Location
Located off the southern tip of Florida, Andros is the largest and westernmost of the Bahamian islands at 100 miles long and 45 miles wide.

Animals
On land, Andros is inhabited by the Bahamian Rock Iguana, giant land crabs, the Bahamian woodstar hummingbird, and the West Indian Whistling-duck. Hardwood forests abutting expanses of pine rockland and freshwater marshes are prime habitat for migratory songbirds such as the Kirtland's warbler, one of North America's rarest birds.

Andros' waters contain huge fish populations, including bonefish, blue tangs, barracudas and sergeant majors, which share the reefs with several shark species, manta rays, lobsters, queen conch, and various sponge species.

Plants
Andros is covered with acres of palm savanna that contain mahogany, Bahamian pine, palmetto, maidenhair ferns and several endemic orchids. The blue mahoe is an endemic hibiscus that produces beautiful yellow and red blossoms.

Why the Conservancy Works Here
In April 2002, the Bahamian government created the Central Andros National Park. Encompassing more than 300,000 acres, the sanctuary protects major terrestrial and marine habitats. The combination of a relatively small population of 9,000 and local support for conserving natural resources means protection efforts can be advanced.

The island's reef system is one of the longest and best preserved in the world. However, the system's health is compromised by unsustainable fishing practices and damage caused by boats and irresponsible divers. Other threats include water pollution and offshore channeling and dredging.

What the Conservancy is Doing
The Conservancy is working with local partner organizations, the Andros Conservancy and Trust (ANCAT) and the Bahamas National Trust, to develop management plans and activities for the new national park. The goal is to continue to work with island residents to support their wishes for an island-wide network of parks.

The Conservancy will work with community-based groups to help consolidate the efforts of committed local residents launching the first Andros-based conservation group. The Conservancy is providing technical and financial support to allow ANCAT to hire its first staff, develop its first strategic plan, strengthen its Board of Directors and continue community outreach work in the dispersed settlements. ANCAT has already achieved a prominent role in local environmental issues and has successfully projected residents' environmental concerns into national decision-making channels. Our ongoing support for ANCAT will contribute to the group's stability and ensure that The Bahamas enjoys a growing and flourishing environmental movement.