program info | courses | field conditions | instructor | costs
See SLIDE SHOW
Greetings,
Here are two stories from a recent Rainforest Field Studies program:
"Four of us are sitting on the edge of a massive limestone sinkhole, located deep in the Maya Mountains of southern Belize. Looking down into the hole, we can see the hilly texture of the rainforest canopy, verdant green except for the occasional flare of red or purple where the crown of a giant emergent tree is in bloom. With binoculars we can see a troop of black howler monkeys feeding on fresh leaves and flowers. The songs of numerous birds echo across the sinkhole walls, including the unforgettable flute-like whistle of the slate-colored solitaire. According to our ‘Checklist of Birds of Belize’, this species is restricted to undisturbed mountain rainforests and is now close to extinction in Central America. Over the course of our week-long excursion into this remote portion of southern Belize, our group will help collect information on the rare and diverse bird fauna of this little-studied area, which may influence upcoming decisions on how this forest will be managed for the future."
“A view of the forest canopy of the Peten in northeastern Guatemala spreads unbroken in all directions from our perch atop a 1200-year old temple in the ancient Mayan city of Tikal. As dawn breaks through the forest mist, the chatter of parrots echoes off the temple walls, flocking to escape an orange-breasted falcon, and toucans and spider monkeys forage peacefully in fruit trees. According the Mayan cosmology, the sun is ending its perilous nightly voyage of the Underworld. We read from the Popol Vuh, the ancient Mayan text, of the adventures of the Hero twins as they attempt to overcome the tricks and trials set for them by the Lords of the Underworld. We gaze at the same fading stars as the Mayan predecessors.”
This program provides students with the opportunity to immerse themselves firsthand in the tropical ecosystems of northern Central America, and in the cultural milieu of local peoples. Our primary focus will be tropical forest ecology and natural history. We will also discuss tropical forest conservation and issues of sustainability and cultural survival. The practicum course will examine the process of experiential and wilderness education.
There are compelling reasons to study the ecology and natural history of tropical forests. The rainforests of the world are threatened with destruction. We must comprehend their mysterious workings, appreciate their pivotal role in the well being of the planet, and develop effective strategies for their protection.
Coral Reefs are in essence the tropical rainforests of the ocean world; beautiful and biologically diverse, their existence is threatened by direct and indirect efforts of human activities ranging from local fishing to global warming. We will study the evolution, natural history, and conservation of reef ecosystems off the coast of Belize, the second largest barrier reef in the world.
The Maya of Belize are among the few surviving traditional forest peoples of Central America. Experience with them can help us to understand fundamental aspects of life in Mesoamerica. Some elements of Maya culture, such as their detailed ethnobotanical knowledge, reflect their close association with the life of the forest.
We will study these complex, interrelated, and enigmatic subjects while living in natural and cultural environments in Belize. Students will develop their understanding through direct experience, the teachings of indigenous experts and the instructors, readings of scientific literature, and their own field investigations.
We welcome students without previous course work in biology. The program emphasizes a basic introduction to evolutionary theory using tropical ecosystems. The rich animal and plant life of Belize provides endless opportunities for natural history observations, and interaction with local villages and people will catalyze conversations on sustainable human/nature relationships.
SCHEDULE
The course will begin at our first site, Monkey Bay Wildlife Refuge. Detailed information on getting to our starting place will be provided upon acceptance. The course will end in Punta Gorda in southern Belize. Travel between course locations will be by both public and chartered transportation. We will stay in campgrounds, educational centers, research facilities, and modest hotels when we are not backpacking or canoeing.
1. We will begin our field studies in the savannah/pine ridge habitat along the Sibun River at Monkey Bay Wildlife Refuge, a private reserve located 30 miles west of Belize City. Excellent opportunities exist for observing many tropical plants and animals and studying watershed ecology. Here we will orient ourselves to the program and to each other while introducing ecology and natural history. Students will begin to develop observational skills, plant and animal identification skills, and be introduced to the natural history journal. We will discuss tropical climate and conservation issues relating to the Sibun River watershed while on a 3 day canoe trip, and later backpack for 4 days up Indian Creek.
2. We will continue our field studies at Las Cuevas Research Station, deep within the Maya Mountains in a deciduous moist tropical forest within the Macal River watershed. This remote field research station lies south of San Ignacio in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. Our studies will focus on ecological principles while exploring tropical forest diversity, structure, light gaps, and succession. We will become familiar with Belizean federal land management and its role in conserving ecosystems, and compare this to federal land management in the United States. Includes a three day backpacking trip.
3. Abundant wildlife in an extensive forest and majestic Classic Mayan ruins make Guatemala’s Tikal National Park an excellent place to emphasize biodiversity and the close interactions between plants and animals, including humans. Here we will continue to explore tropical forest ecology and diversity as well as the role of Mayan people (both present and ancient) in the natural history of the region. We will study bird diversity and behavior, species interactions and strategies used by trees to disperse seeds. To better appreciate the high diversity found in the tropics, we will introduce evolutionary theory and the process of natural selection. We will evaluate the success of the Park and the Maya Biosphere Reserve as a model for conservation of tropical ecosystems at the local and global scales. We will explore ruins and the surrounding forest on day hikes and stay in the park campground at night.
4. At a caye along the Great Barrier Reef, we will dive into coral reef ecology and conservation. Basic snorkeling techniques will be taught and used to explore the rich, colorful life and intricate relationships between organisms found in coral reefs. We will also explore mangrove ecology and discuss threats to and conservation efforts aimed at preserving fragile coastal and coral reef ecosystems.
5. In south central Belize we will visit the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and a nearby Mayan community. We will experience a multi-day homestay with Mayan families in the village of Maya Center and learn about their co-management of this local protected area. The wildlife sanctuary where jaguar research is conducted lies on the east side of the Maya Mountains. Here we will continue to refine our observation skills by studying plant-animal interactions, flowering plants, plant pollination strategies, and the relationship between vegetation communities and climatic factors. We will discuss the role of large animals in the ecosystem and efforts to protect large areas for the conservation of species and habitat.
6. Located south of Cockscomb, the Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education (BFREE) is a private research and educational facility located on an 1153 acre reserve next to the Bladen Nature Reserve. Biological diversity here is phenomenal, consisting of jaguars, ocelots, tapirs, spider and howler monkeys, Morelet's crocodiles, more than 300 species of birds, countless insects, and more than 180 reptiles and amphibians. Includes a six-day backpacking trip into the Bladen Nature Reserve, a protected area into which few are allowed to travel.
7. For 3 days we will do homestays and intertwine our lives with the Garinagu people in the remote village of Barranco. We will explore their village and ways of life, travel up the Temash River, harvest and process cassava (their main food staple), and learn their traditional drumming, dancing, and spirituality.
8. We culminate the course at the Belize Agroforestry Research Center (BARC), located in the southern Maya Mountains among Kekchi Mayan villages. We will apply our ecological knowledge gained thus far to creating sustainable landscape and agricultural designs. Guest instructors will lead us in discussions of permaculture, agroforestry, and other sustainable uses of rainforest environments. We will consider the impacts of traditional and modern land use practices on tropical forest ecosystems.
Student comments (anonymous) from Rainforest Field Studies
program evaluation forms:
"This course goes beyond school, into a realm of enlightenment and joy.”
"The amazing people within the group, being out in the jungle connecting with nature being far away from sounds of civilization. Viewing the simple livelihood of Belizeans and Guatemalans when riding across the country on local bus systems, listening to fellow students play guitar, hiking through Maya Ruins, beautiful caves and watching sunsets and sun rises in some of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.”
"I have never been so engaged in anything in my entire life. I probably learned more in these last nine weeks than I have in years. I love how this course can completely transform you.”
"It has changed my life. The way I look at things, the pace at which I move. I have seen every color on this earth. I have had the earth in my clothes, my hair for the past 2 months. I have developed an intimate relationship. I have just learned so fully how connecting this earth is. I feel as if I could never turn away. I have been shown such a full, artistic, healthy, simple way of life and care because of nature.”
"This has been the best thing I have ever experienced from the educational system.”
“We got to see so many incredible places in such a short time.We got to see the savanna, backpack through the jungle, relax on the ocean, all while learning at the same time.”
This course has taught me a lot about what nature really is: a series of relationships, patterns, interactions. And what is life? Relationships, patterns, interactions. Nature is life. And I have enhanced my ability to witness my own relationship with nature, with life.”
See video by Rainforest Field Program student Brendon Bell (2007)
program info | courses | field conditions | instructor | costs