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 The
Location
Belize,
only a little larger than Massachusetts, is the smallest country in Central
America. The diversity and proximity of habitats makes it a perfect place to
study watershed ecology and management. Belize is peaceful, politically stable, and English-speaking. Its government
encourages conservation and eco-tourism as a means toward sustainable
development and conservation. American
citizens need only a valid passport to enter the country.
The
Program
Students will study
a tropical watershed as they follow the path of water from high in the
mountains out to sea. Starting in the Maya Mountain pine ridge, we will
work our way through valleys and swamps, mangrove forests and brackish
lagoons, all the way down to Belize’s brilliant coastal zone and barrier
reef ecosystem. We will learn about how a tropical watershed functions
in the best way possible -- by immersing ourselves in it!
Our journey will be rich in field
exploration, adventure activities, presentations by experts, and team
building initiatives, participants gain awareness of the environment
around them and of themselves. A
focus along our journey will be on the natural resources and issues
that Belizean communities face in this watershed. We will have the opportunity
to meet with biologists, conservationists, local villagers, and developers,
and speak to them about their perspective on conservation and management,
especially during this time of shifting global economic and development
pressures.
Important
Details
This program
is offered both as a Discovery Program and as an Immersion Workshop.
Groups
of 18 or less work best with this field partner. Dates are available
year round.
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