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 The
Location
Honduras
is a small Central American country, historically known for its fruit trade,
specifically bananas. More recently, Honduras has become popular for
eco-tourism, especially with the proximity of the Bay Islands to the mainland. The
climate is warm and tropical all year long with two seasons – wet and dry.
Although the local language in most parts of the country is Spanish, many people
speak English fluently.
Honduras
is peaceful and politically stable.
American
citizens need only a valid passport to enter the country.
The
Program
Our
home base will be at the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences. Here, students
will study tropical marine ecology at the world’s third largest reef tract by
literally immersing themselves into the ocean. Each day we will snorkel,
observe, and study the tropical ecosystem, paying particular attention to the shallow bay,
mangrove forest, and coral reef ecosystems. A focus of our workshop will be on human impacts on the reef. Discussions about fishing, runoff, economics,
tourism, local culture and conservation will challenge students to look at the
coral reef ecosystem from multiple perspectives.
Along
with our study of the reef we will have the opportunity to take a marine
mammal biology mini-course. During the culmination of our course, we will
have the opportunity to swim with the resident dolphins at the Institute.
We will also have the chance to take a behind the scenes look at how the
facility researches, trains and cares for the animals.
Important
Details
This
program is offered both as a Discovery Program and an Immersion Workshop.
Groups of 21 or less work best with this field partner. Dates are available
year round. If desired, SCUBA certification can be offered with this program.
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