Belize | Experiential Learning: Marine and Terrestrial Science

Upon arrival at the international airport, transfer along the Western Highway to the Tropical Education Center, adjacent to the Belize Zoo. The Zoo and Tropical Education Center are situated on 29 acres of tropical savanna and exhibit over 125 animals, all native to Belize. All of the animals living at the zoo were rehabilitated or rescued as orphans from poaching situations, the illegal pet trade, injury, or exposure due to habitat loss. Founded in 1983, the Belize Zoo has been internationally recognized for its outstanding conservation efforts and excellent simulated natural environments. After settling in at the dorms, there will be some time to explore the grounds before dinner. Please note all accommodations use shared bathroom facilities; there are no en suite bathrooms. Later, meet in the education center for a review of the course. This evening, take a walk at the zoo to observe nocturnal wildlife like snakes, a Harpy Eagle, ocelots, pumas, and jaguars.

Back in 1997, The Foundation for Wildlife Conservation Inc. (FWC) and the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM) started Birds Without Borders - Aves Sin Fronteras - as a research, conservation, and education project with private landowners in both Belize and Wisconsin. The objective of this project was to protect birds by conserving the habitat they need to survive. This project resulted with the establishment of the Runaway Creek Nature Reserve. Early this morning, observe a bird banding demonstration on the grounds of the TEC. Learn how to set up mist nets, safely extract birds from nets, fit birds with Aluminum bands, measure, and record data. After breakfast, hike to the "Painted Cave" and "Guardians of the Cave" in the Runaway Creek Nature Reserve. Trek through different forest types including pine savannah, transitional forest, seasonal wetland, and broadleaf forest. Archaeological evidence suggests that these caves were used by both the Maya and Runaway Slaves, and today, continues to be used by different wildlife. You might be lucky to see the rare spider monkey foraging or resting in the trees outside the openings of the caves. Trail cameras are set up to capture wildlife passing through one of the caves; you will have an opportunity to view the photos taken by the camera, which often include recent shots of jaguars and pumas! Return to the TEC for a late lunch and an evening of relaxing around the pool.

After breakfast, leave the lowland savanna ecosystem to hike the foothills of the Maya Mountains and experience the rainforest. Visit the popular St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park, which is within the Sibun Watershed, and explore its forests and unique geological features. Also journey by inner tube into a sunken underground cave, approximately 300 feet wide and 100 feet deep. This evening, enjoy a discussion on how inland activities within the Sibun Watershed affect coastal environments in Belize and around the world.

This morning, check out and head for the coastal town of Dangriga, stopping at the Riverside Cafe for an opportunity to purchase supplies in the shops and produce market. The stay on Tobacco Caye includes meals, but you can purchase snacks here to bring with you. (There is also a small snack shop on Tobacco Caye.) Bid your mainland guide farewell and greet the marine expert who will accompany you during the caye portion of your program. Board the boats at Gra Gra Lagoon and begin the ride out of the mouth of the Stann Creek River across 12 miles of turquoise lagoon. In approximately 35 minutes, arrive at the base for marine exploration among some of the world's richest biodiversity. The Belize Barrier Reef wraps around Tobacco Caye, providing safe and convenient access from shore. After lunch, have snorkeling gear fitted and receive a briefing on how to effectively use equipment and interact with the coral reef before beginning the first snorkeling experience on the reef. Later, enjoy some beach volleyball and then dinner. Tonight, the first classroom session is an introduction to natural resource management in Belize and the South Water Caye Marine Reserve protected area. Also receive an introduction to the waterproof fish ID cards that can be used during snorkeling if there is interest. Please note the sites and order of visits are weather-dependent and will vary according to conditions during your stay. Accommodations at Tobacco Caye are rustic, basic dorm facilities with shared bathrooms and cold-water showers. Snorkeling from shore is not permitted without a snorkeling guide, additional charges apply.

Spend a full day exploring various sites. Start with a visit to Man O' War Caye, one of 11 Magnificent Frigatebird nesting sites in the Caribbean. Also snorkel amid the mangroves in Tobacco Range Atoll, where you may be able to see manatees, and on Carrie Bow Patch Reef, a shallow patch where all the diversity of the Belizean waters is on bountiful display. Have lunch on South Water Caye, where seahorses are often found swimming near the docks, and enjoy some free time in the crystal-clear water. Visit the Smithsonian Institute Research Station on Carrie Bow Caye; if there are researchers, chat with them about their work. Continue snorkeling nearby sites based on energy level and preference, and then return to the island. After dinner, the second classroom session will focus on marine ecology and how mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs interact with the terrestrial environment and each other to create the marine world.

This morning, set out for a half day of snorkeling. If weather allows, explore the fore reef outside Tobacco Caye, the patch reef at Núñez Patch, and the Tobacco Caye Channel (south of the cut). The fore reef is an example of spur-and-groove formations. It's a bit deeper than the rest, but the bottom is visible at all times and it's an excellent chance to see the "real" barrier reef. South of the cut is a channel environment, going from mid-deep to shallow. This is a very diverse site and an opportunity to see bigger marine life cruising in the channel if it's present, including tarpons, turtles, and possibly even manatees or dolphins. Núñez Patch is a very shallow patch, and students will be focused on finding smaller sea life like lobsters, anemones, shrimp, and a variety of small fish. Return to the island for lunch. This afternoon, participate in a reef clean-up service project, working along a transect for data purposes. Split into groups of three and take turns collecting trash and using a data slate to record the origin of items you collect, any surprising finds, etc. Back on shore, the trash will be weighed and the data slate notes will be collected. Discuss what you found, how plastic can harm the environment, and how the activity made you feel. Return to the lodge, with free time to relax, or play a game of volleyball.

This morning after breakfast, snorkeling in the Tobacco Caye Range. Return to Tobacco Caye for lunch. Time at leisure. After dinner, experience an exciting night snorkel in the lagoon. Step off the dock into a nocturnal world of cephalopods, moray eels, arthropods, and echinoderms. Underwater lights are provided but must be turned off temporarily to observe the phosphorescent dinoflagellates.

This morning at leisure. After lunch, snorkeling in Tobacco Range.

This morning after breakfast, transfer by boat to Dangriga then by bus to Belize City for your flight home via Belize City International Airport.