Simon's Rock Field Station in Montserrat

Simon’s Rock Field Station in Montserrat
Since 2014, students and faculty have embraced studying and conducting research on the island of Montserrat in the West Indies. Conducting original research, engaging with local researchers and community members, making discoveries, and publishing findings have been central to the curriculum of the Simon’s Rock Signature Program in Tropical Ecology and Sustainability Studies. Students return to Montserrat to continue their education because studying and learning on the island provides real-world experience that they would otherwise not have access to. These students often return to assist with or conduct their own research.
 
In 2023 Simon’s Rock purchased a permanent Field Station, which is now home to the Study Abroad Program. The renovated property includes a full commercial kitchen and dining hall, classroom and laboratory space, and housing for 18-20 participants.

Tropical Ecology and Sustainability Studies Abroad Program

Check back for the 2027 application.

Field Station

The Simon’s Rock Field Station in Montserrat was established in 2023 to serve as a science and learning center for Simon’s Rock students and faculty from Bard College at Simon’s Rock, as well as students, faculty, and researchers from other schools and non-profit institutions from around the world.

The Field Station is also a place for the local community to learn about discoveries on their island, and to provide an opportunity for visiting scientists and researchers to share knowledge and resources.

For information about institutional rental options and individual research, visit the Institutional Rental Options section below.
  • Faculty
    Dr. Thomas Coote, Simon's Rock Field Station in Montserrat, Director
    Dr. Sarah Snyder
    Dr. Michael Bergman
    Dr. Chris Coggins
    Dr. Kathryn Boswell
  • Staff
    Lyston Skerritt, Director of Operations
    Toni Jones, Chef and Director of Food Services
Research

Research

Currently faculty at Simon’s Rock are directing research in the flora and fauna of Montserrat with the primary objective of supporting the government of Montserrat in their conservation efforts.

Examples of Student Research:
  • Giulia de Gennaro  - Thesis - Fabaceae of Montserrat (floristic treatment)
  • Rho Kackley - UVM senior project - Mosses of Montserrat (checklist)
  • Ke Coco Deng - Thesis - Pollination biology of Miconia purpurea and Lobelia on Montserrat
  • Sophie Salisbury - Distribution and Habitat associations of Lichens

Student Experiences in Montserrat

Learn about Owen's research while studying in Montserrat, as well as about the overall Simon's Rock experience.

Institutional Rental Options

Field Station Accommodations and Fees Accommodation Rates
Residences
The field station is available for non-profit organizations to rent on a weekly basis. Rent includes: lab facilities, dining hall and food services, laundry services, and logistical support.

Field Station Accommodations and Fees

The field station provides dormitory style housing for educational programs and research institutions. The station can provide housing for a minimum of four people up to 22 people, for periods ranging from one week (minimum rental) to multiple months. Full dining service is available and required for 8 or more guests. There is no air conditioning at the field station. 

In addition to housing, the station provides full dining service and kitchen facilities, high-speed internet, laundry service, research lab space and equipment and snorkel gear. For specific research or equipment needs please contact [email protected].

The accommodation rates are based on the full use of the station and its facilities, including access to vehicle rentals, research permit support services, field ranger support and access to the exclusion zone, and educational programming and tours.

Accommodation Rates

Accommodation rates vary based on a number of factors so please contact Tom Coote ([email protected]) for more details. Fees range from $35-$250/person/night depending on services.

Vehicle Rentals - $35-$50/day

*Dining Services are flexible and can accommodate a variety of dietary needs and menus, and the fee is adjustable based on those needs. Because there is no kitchen in Knapp House groups of 8 or more people must be on a meal plan. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

Residences

There are three furnished residences, including a studio apartment, attached to the main campus center, that can be arranged with two single beds or one queen. It has a stove top, microwave, refrigerator, and coffee maker.

Small House (up to six people) has one single room and two doubles, one of which can be converted to a triple with a bunk. It has a small galley kitchen, with stove-top, microwave, refrigerator, and coffee maker. There is one shared bathroom with two toilets, two showers and two sinks.

Knapp House houses for up to 14 people (with bunks) with six double bedrooms and no kitchen. On the first floor there are three bedrooms with one shared full bath. The second floor has three bedrooms, a central lounge area with microwave and dormitory refrigerator, and a shared bathroom with two toilets, two showers, and two sinks.

The station provides bedding (pillows and linens) and towels at no charge. Personal laundry service is available for $5 per load (guests are not permitted to use the laundry machines). For housing availability or any other accommodation questions, please contact [email protected].