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BELIZE CONNECTING ENVIRONMENT & COMMUNITY HONORS EXPERIENCE: MARINE & TERRESTRIAL SCIENCE Led by Barbra Sobhani and Meredith Hibit December 12 – 20, 2019

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BELIZE CONNECTING ENVIRONMENT & COMMUNITY HONORS EXPERIENCE: MARINE & TERRESTRIAL SCIENCE Led by Barbra Sobhani and Meredith Hibit December 12 – 20, 2019 GREEN SEA TURTLE BY SNORKELINGDIVES.COM BELIZE CONNECTING ENVIRONMENT & COMMUNITY HONORS EXPERIENCE: MARINE & TERRESTRIAL SCIENCE Led by Barbra Sobhani and Meredith Hibit December 12 – 20, 2019 Belize is home to a variety of marine and PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS terrestrial ecosystems, from rainforest and • Receive an introduction to Belizean wildlife and tropical savanna to mangroves, coral reefs, gain an understanding of the importance of its and more. Examine and compare the country’s conservation. different natural, unspoiled habitats during • Work on a service project at the Belize Zoo, working this 9-day learning adventure. Observe with local researchers and providing assistance with wildlife and hike in the foothills of the Maya ongoing field research programs. Mountains, explore underground caves, and • Explore the rainforests and unique geological snorkel the Belize Barrier Reef at Tobacco Caye features of St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park. for a firsthand look at marine biodiversity. • Learn about the connection between inland activities Service projects, meetings with researchers, and and coastal environments. informative lectures round out the experience. • Observe and identify a host of marine life while snorkeling the Belize Barrier Reef and participate in a Classes: SCI 105 Science & Society and SPA reef clean-up activity. 109 Spanish for Travelers • Visit the Smithsonian Institute Research Station on Pre-trip classes begin October 16 Carrie Bow Caye. holbrook.travel/redrocks-bz19 ITINERARY BLD = BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER tropical birds. Later work on a service project at the Belize Zoo. Overnight at Belize Zoo’s Tropical Education DECEMBER 12 - WESTERN HIGHWAY Center. (BLD) Upon arrival at the international airport, transfer DECEMBER 14 - WESTERN HIGHWAY along the Western Highway to the Tropical Education Spend today working on a service project. Choose Center, adjacent to the Belize Zoo. The Zoo and from monitoring the endangered Yellow-headed Parrot Tropical Education Center are situated on 29 acres populations, tracking tapirs, or fire management. This of tropical savanna and exhibit over 125 animals, project will include working with local researchers, all native to Belize. All of the animals living at the providing assistance with ongoing field research zoo were rehabilitated or rescued as orphans from programs in Belize. Overnight at Belize Zoo’s Tropical poaching situations, the illegal pet trade, injury, or Education Center. (BLD) exposure due to habitat loss. Founded in 1983, the Belize Zoo has been internationally recognized for DECEMBER 15 - WESTERN HIGHWAY its outstanding conservation efforts and excellent After breakfast, leave the lowland savanna ecosystem simulated natural environments. After settling in at the to hike the foothills of the Maya Mountains and dorms, there will be some time to explore the grounds experience the rainforest. Visit the popular St. before dinner. (Please note all accommodations use Herman’s Blue Hole National Park, which is within shared bathroom facilities; there are no en-suite the Sibun River watershed. Explore its forests and bathrooms.) Later, meet in the education center for unique geological features. Also journey by inner tube a review of the course. This evening, take an exciting into a sunken underground cave, approximately 300 night walk at the zoo to observe nocturnal wildlife. feet wide and 100 feet deep. This evening, enjoy a Be on the lookout for snakes, a Harpy Eagle, ocelot, discussion on how inland activities within the Sibun pumas, and jaguars! Overnight at Belize Zoo’s Tropical watershed impact coastal environments in Belize and Education Center. (LD) around the world. Overnight at Belize Zoo’s Tropical DECEMBER 13 - WESTERN HIGHWAY Education Center. (BLD) Today there will be a talk on the tropical savanna DECEMBER 16 - TOBACCO CAYE ecosystem, followed by hiking along trails for a Transfer to the Riverside Cafe in Dangriga Town firsthand experience of what you have learned. As for an opportunity to purchase supplies in the well- you hike through the dense vegetation, observe the stocked shops and produce market. While the stay interactions between the ecology of the savanna and on Tobacco Caye includes meals, you can purchase its wildlife inhabitants such as Yellow-headed Parrots, snacks here. Bid your mainland guide farewell and armadillos, and grey foxes. Other wildlife observations greet the marine expert who will accompany you may include iguanas, peccaries, coatis, and a variety of during the caye portion of your program. Board the boats 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- BAIRD’S TAPIR AT BELIZE ZOO BY BJØRN CHRISTIAN TØRRISSEN dependent and will vary according to conditions during your stay. Accommodations at Tobacco Caye example of spur-and-groove formations. It’s a bit are rustic, basic dorm facilities with shared bathrooms deeper than the rest, but the bottom is visible at all and cold-water showers. Overnight at Tobacco Caye times and it’s an excellent chance to see the “real” Marine Station. (BLD) 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 possible even manatees or dolphins. Núñez Patch is a very shallow patch where you’ll 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. Splitting up into small groups, you’ll collect trash and record data along a transect. Afterwards, analyze your findings, discuss how plastic can harm the environment, and share how you felt MALE MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD BY BRIAN GRATWICKE during the activity. Return to the lodge. The rest of the afternoon is free to snorkel from the shore, relax, DECEMBER 17 - TOBACCO CAYE or play a game of volleyball. After dinner, experience Spend a full day exploring various sites. Start with a an exciting night snorkel in the lagoon. Step off the visit to Man O’ War Caye, one of the 11 sites in the Caribbean where Magnificent Frigatebirds nest. 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. Overnight at Tobacco Caye Marine Station. (BLD) DECEMBER 18 - TOBACCO CAYE Spend another full day exploring various sites MANATEES AT TOBACCO CAYE BY J. CRAIGHILL PHOTOGRAPHY including mangroves, Tobacco Range Atoll, Carrie Bow Patch Reef, and shallow patch reef. After lunch dock into a nocturnal world of cephalopods, moray back at the station, continue snorkeling nearby sites eels, arthropods, and echinoderms. Underwater lights based on energy level and preference, and then return are provided but must be turned off temporarily to to the island. Overnight at Tobacco Caye Marine observe the phosphorescent dinoflagellates. Overnight Station. (BLD) at Tobacco Caye Marine Station. (BLD) DECEMBER 19 - TOBACCO CAYE DECEMBER 20 - DEPARTURE This morning set out for a half day of snorkeling. If This morning after breakfast, transfer by boat to weather allows, explore the fore reef outside Tobacco Dangriga. Continue on to Belize City International Caye, the patch reef at Núñez Patch, and the Tobacco Airport, where you’ll connect with your flights back to Caye Channel (south of the cut). The fore reef is an the US. (B) LAND PRICING $2,095 (based on 14 students) Cost includes accommodations, meals and activities as indicated in the itinerary, private vehicle transportation, local guides in each region for the duration of the program, and carbon offset. Does not include international airfare, gratuities, or BELIZE CITY items of a personal nature. BELIZE ZOO AIR PRICING $615 Estimated round-trip international airfare from Denver BELIZE TOBACCO CAYE TRAVEL PROTECTION Holbrook Travel purchases Travel Protection on behalf of all participants. These plans help provide coverage once the trip has departed and offer benefits for Baggage/Personal Effects, Accident & Sickness Medical Expenses, Emergency Evacuation and more. Refer to the Plan Document for more details. Optional additional coverage is available in the form of the Group Deluxe Plan, which offers benefits for Trip Cancellation/Interruption, in addition to many other insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. If interested in this optional plan, we can provide you with rates and plan details. THE FINE PRINT Cost is based on dorm-style accommodations with individual beds.
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