Oct 8, 2013
While doing field work in the Bahamas for her master’s degree in marine conservation, Martha Davis experienced firsthand the alarming decline of the islands’ queen conch population, a species of edible mollusk. Her nonprofit, Community Conch, conducts conch population surveys and advocates for conservation efforts to preserve this vital species. “With the support of the Department of Marine Resources and the Bahamas National Trust, we are using the information we collected at stakeholders meetings to reform regulations. It has been very rewarding to present our data at conferences and have scientists from the Bahamas and other Caribbean countries thank us for our work,” Martha says.
Jan 4, 2021
Queen conch are a culturally, biologically, and economically significant species in the Caribbean that has faced serious declines in recent years. Community Conch and its fiscal sponsor Rachel’s Network celebrated the announcement that the Bahamas plans to phase out export of queen conch by 2022.
May 21, 2015
While queen conch has been a central part of Bahamian culture, economy, and cuisine for centuries; growing demand from the US has jeopardized local populations of the species. Rachel’s Network Member Martha Davis fell in love with queen conch while doing field work for her master’s degree. Now, through her organization Community Conch, she’s gathering and publishing vital information about this unique animal. With Martha’s help, and the commitment of her partners, volunteers, and local fisherman, the Bahamas can build back its dwindling conch population.
Jul 7, 2016
Our Fiscal Sponsorship Fund enables our members to develop an entrepreneurial program into an independent nonprofit. The Fund has propelled worthy projects into the national and international spotlights, including Divest-Invest Philanthropy, ClientEarth, and Community Conch.
Oct 15, 2021
Several Rachel’s Network members are passionate about marine conservation and oceans funding. We asked three of them—Martha Davis, Laura Francis, and Lisa Holmes—how they got into this issue and what they’re funding.
