Belize Study Abroad – Summer, 2013

1. Belize Study Abroad – Summer, 2013 From Mountain to Sea: Ecological and Cultural Diversity in a Jewel of Central America CCP Faculty Margaret Stephens - Environmental Conservation/ Geography Randy Libros – Physics/Technology

2. Maps

3. Topics of study Ancient to contemporary Maya civilizations, archaeology, history, geography, literature Natural history, aquatic, forest & marine ecology Traditional medicine Natural resource management, challenges of environmental conservation and economic development Follow the Sibun River from the mountains to the sea.

4. Waking up in Belize was amazing! Belize-Stephens

5. Our host: Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Main cabin, offices & library Dining hall &classroom Evening visitor

6. Program Activities and Features • Central tropical savanna • Sabun River trip • Western Maya Mountains: Mountain Pine Ridge • Maya culture & archaeological site: Xunantunich • Barrier reef: Tobacco Caye Marine Station • Study the natural environment, diverse habitats, land use issues, history and cultural diversity.

7. Central tropical savanna

8. Belize National Zoo • Not just any zoo • Injured and rescued animals • All native to Belize

13. Watershed Ecology: From Headwaters to the Sea Belize-Stephens, 2010

14. Western Maya Mountains: Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, Headwaters

15. Western Mountains – limestone caves and sinkholes Caves – Maya underworld

16. Maya Archaeological Sites

18. Lunch at Mangana’s home: Maya elders, preserving their heritage

19. Chalillo Dam Hydroelectric Project

21. En route to Dangriga, then water taxi to Tobacco Caye

22. Our water taxi

23. Tobacco Caye Marine Field Station in the Caribbean

24. Tobacco Caye Marine Station on a barrier reef island ~12 miles offshore

25. Smithsonian Institution Tropical Marine Research Station

26. Soil core sampling on mangrove island

27. Lab: Identifying macro invertebrates (indicators of water quality) from plankton tow

29. Moray eel awaiting prey at night

30. Octopus on nocturnal prowl

32. Student presentations

35. Accommodations Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve Tobacco Caye Marine Station IDS120 Belize – Stephens-Libros 2013

36. Belizean Cuisine I was treated better at times than I am at home. The food was great! Belize-Stephens, 2010

37. Being in Belize definitely helped me to broaden my horizons and to see the world from a different point of view. – Jenna Walsh, CCP nursing student I need a thesaurus because I’m tired of using amazing, cool, awesome and nice. How about…SPECTACULAR!!! -Anthone Moore, transferred to La Salle U. – wildlife biology

39. Academic requirements (one credit hour) • application essay, interview, recommendation • Pre-departure instruction: history, geography, culture, literature, social, political & environmental issues, country orientation, safety and health • 10 days in country • Student presentations – 1 pre-departure, 1 on site, 1 group presentation after return • Field journals

40. IDS 120 – 1 credit, general elective • pre-departure orientation and instruction: Belizean history, geography, literature, ecology, contemporary social, political and environmental issues • 10 days in country. 3 distinct ecological zones, Maya archaeological site and caves, hydroelectric dam project, medicinal botanical gardens, cultural diversity: Creole, Mestizo, Maya, European descent, naturalized citizens • 3 student presentations: pre-departure, in country, after return • Field journals

41. Application Process • Deadline: February 6, 2013 • Up to six (6) scholarships • Requirements (See applications) • Tips for successful applications: • Teacher recommendations • Personal essay – connect to your academic/career goals, why this program, flexibility and teamwork