Welcome to ITME, Inc.

The Institute's Facilities

ITME HQ & Field Station N 15 21.948' W 61 23.842' (+/- 5 m)

Location

ITME's field station and teaching center is on the west coast of Dominica, 10 km to the North of the capital Roseau. Perched on the heights of Mahaut, which are also known as Belfast, the school overlooks a picturesque bay opening into the Caribbean Sea. Mahaut is a bustling village full of contrasts. While the school is surrounded by a quiet residential area, the coastal road is lined by a vibrant fishing community. The field station is a perfect base of operations for field work throughout Dominica, conveniently situated near the main cross-insular roads that connect the western and eastern side of the island.

Features

The facilities include a lecture rooms (2), lab space, computer room / reference collection, office space, student union/cafeteria, and dorm-style accommodations for 25 persons. Efficiency units (1-2 bedroom apartments) are also available for small research teams.

Balconies and terraces offer quiet space for reflection or studying. Meal plans are provided during the semester and summer programs and on demand for visiting groups and researchers. ITME provides transportation to and from research sites around Dominica. Internet services (wifi and ethernet terminals) are available.

Life at the Field Station

The station operates like a mini-campus. Faculty and most of the teaching staff live on site and partake in the day-to-day operations of the station. Academic work is arranged in alternating days of lectures and field labs, from Monday through Saturday. Full immersion into the scholastic challenges, as well as a strong commitment to communal living arrangements is expected from every participant.

Students have access to a tennis court, a soccer and cricket field, and a basketball court at the DCP sports facility. The bus stop is only a 5 minutes walk from the station and adjacent to the nearest beach. The capital Roseau can be reached in 20 minutes, most other destinations on the island within one hour by bus.

GREEN CAMPUS: ITME's operations and services designed and implemented with the intent to support local farmers and fishermen, and to minimize the station's negative environmental impacts and its "carbon footprint".

Field Excursions & Island Tours

ITME offers a variety of half-day and all-day tours throughout the island. ITME staff provides guidance in selecting, planning and executing excursion focusing on terrestrial or marine ecology, geology, or anthropology. Terrestrial excursions are possible as far as roads and trails go. Marine excursion (SCUBA and snorkeling) can be made to sites along the entire west coast. East-coast marine excursions are more difficult to plan because of the prevailing rough seas on Dominica's Atlantic shore. ITME does have a series of east-coast marine sites and will provide access only if the sea conditions are appropriate. While most marine sites are accessible from shore, access by boat and SCUBA logistics are provided in collaboration with East Carib Dive. All excursions and tours are planned in such a way that ITME vehicles and staff are back at the station no later than 4PM.

The ITME Fleet


ITME T1 excursion truck 7-10 passengers	ITME T2 tour mini bus 10-14 passengers	ITME T3 expedition truck 17-20 passengers

Bringing Groups, Conducting Research, NGO Hosting

The field station and its facilities are available to professors, student groups and scientists when the ITME Academic Programs are not in session. Some groups stay at ITME on a yearly basis and have made multi-year reservations. Interested persons should thus start the planning process of an excursion to Dominica early on. Pending availability of space, ITME will consider hosting NGOs and their representatives.

Getting to the Field Station

Coming from Canefield or Roseau (South): Drive through Mahaut until you reach DCP (Dominica Coconut Products) and take the (only) right turn, up the hill. The DCP sports complex will be on your right. Take the 3rd street to your left (Allamanda Drive) and then the 1st street to the right (Begonia Drive). ITME is located in the mint-green buildings to your right. You will see ITME signs. Click here for a map.
Coming from Warner or Layou (North): Take the first road to your left after passing DCP and follow instructions as above.
If you are coming from abroad, contact ITME for pick up service.

Permits

All visiting researchers must apply for and receive research (and collection) permits before engaging in any type of field research in Dominica. Researchers staying at the Institute will be assisted in this process.

The Setting for ITME's Academic Programs

Dominica's western shore faces the Caribbean Sea and harbor beautiful fishing villages. The eastern shoreline is more rugged, facing the Atlantic Ocean with its direct impact of the Trade Winds.

The island's volcanic nature is also reflected in its submarine topography. Coral reefs are nestled along the edges of steep slopes, and underwater sulfurous springs can be found a few meters from shore.

ITME faculty and students are currently focusing their attention on the documentation of flora and fauna of Dominica's coral reefs. This work includes, but is not limited to, detailed inventories of benthic invertebrates, the study of reef community structure, and year-round observations on coral diseases and mortality.

Institute for Tropical Marine Ecology ITME Inc., P.O. Box 944, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica