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Pre Departure Blog

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Hello! My name is Claire C, and I am a rising sophomore at Sid Richardson College. My major is biosciences with a major concentration in integrative biology, so naturally, I LOVE ecology and the outdoors.

I am so excited for this trip and cannot wait for all that I will learn in Belize! I am looking forward to learning about and seeing all sorts of plants and animals. While I have always loved the ocean more than anything in the world, I am most excited for the rainforest part of the trip. I have experience snorkeling and being around reefs, but I have never been to a tropical rainforest before.

I hope to learn a ton about how rainforest ecosystems and field research works. I expect to see some of the coolest ecosystems and organisms I have ever seen in my life. Being as isolated from other people as we are should let us see some fascinating animal interactions both within the rainforest and in the ocean. While seeing any animal is cool, I most want to see rays in the ocean. Whether they are spotted eagle rays, manta rays, or stingrays, I love seeing them swim through reefs.

I finished packing all of my gear last night, and I traveled to Houston today, so I am finally ready to go to Belize! My duffle is quite heavy, but that just means I have fun gear inside!

On this trip, I hope to learn how to keep myself safe and comfortable while doing field work. I also hope to learn some field research techniques that cannot be taught from a classroom.

That all being said, I am slightly nervous for how isolated we are going to be. I know we will do everything to keep ourselves safe, but being in a new and extremely disconnected ecosystem from people is still scary despite how fascinating and fun it will be.

I have been lucky enough to have been on in other international marine ecology field research class through my high school. The class took place in Baja California Sur which is a desert on land and is is home to the “Aquarium of the World” beneath the water. Through that class,  I learned how to do an underwater transect and fish census along with other techniques. While this class was definitely not exhaustive, it did give me some experience doing labs in the ocean that I can build off of in Belize.

I am so excited to wake up bright and early tomorrow to go to Belize!

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Nervous but excited!!

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Zoe Gupton, 2025, Birds and Soft Corals

Hello! I’m Zoe and I am a junior from Sid. As I prepare for my trip to Belize, I’m excited and a bit nervous. I’m especially looking forward to growing as a person, particularly in overcoming my fear of insects. Fieldwork in the tropics will challenge me to step out of my comfort zone, and I hope to become more comfortable with the critters I’ll encounter. I’m also excited to learn more about soft corals and birds, as both groups fascinate me in different ways.

I’ve been getting ready by researching the species I might encounter and packing essentials like bug repellent, sunscreen, and field guides. While this is my first time doing fieldwork in the tropics, I’m eager to immerse myself in the experience and learn as much as I can. I’m also preparing mentally for the challenges that come with field research in a tropical environment.

Despite feeling nervous, I’m eager to learn about how soft corals contribute to marine ecosystems and observe birds in their natural habitat. I hope to gain new skills in species identification and field research. Most of all, I want to immerse myself in the experience and make the most of the opportunity to learn in a tropical environment.

Although I have no previous fieldwork experience in the tropics, I’m excited to dive in. The idea of studying soft corals and birds up close is incredibly exciting. I’m ready to push through any nerves and embrace this chance for personal and academic growth.

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Pre-departure Blog!

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Hi everyone – my name is Sohee Kim and I’m a Biosciences major with an Ecology & Evolutionary Biology concentration! It is currently 2 days before the trip and I am beyond excited. Tomorrow, I’ll be heading to Houston since we need to be in ABL by 6 AM on Friday. This will be my first time traveling to Central America and the tropics, so I am super excited to explore a region I’ve never visited before.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been busy preparing by researching my taxa (Surgeonfishes and Rainforest Mammals) as well as preparing for my presentation topic, which focuses on Visual and Auditory Communication in Rainforest Animals. I’ve read numerous scientific articles and am looking forward to seeing some of these organisms in real life.

I expect that I’ll be able to encounter some of the mammal species at our night tour at the Belize Zoo, which I’m especially excited about as a pre-vet student! There were so so many cool mammal species that I wanted to put on the ID sheet, but I had to cut out so many of them. 🙁 I also expect to gain extensive insight into what it is like to be a tropical field biologist, which may help me further shape my career plans—whether I want to focus solely on clinical veterinary medicine or combine it with research. I have gained ecological research (about phytoplanktons!) experience in a lab setting, but I am super thrilled to experience what it’s like to conduct fieldwork in a completely different setting.

Sneak peak for my rainforest taxon ID sheet!

I’ve also read a couple of student blogs from past years, and apparently the howls of the Mexican Black Howler Monkeys were heard, so hopefully we will have a chance to hear (or see!) them too! I also really want to see one of the cat species out in the wild, but I know that is pretty unlikely.. But miracles can happen — so …maybe! I will update on if my wish was fulfilled in my ending blog entry!

Also, I’ve developed a foundational knowledge based on our required readings and additional scientific articles I have read for my presentations, and I’m excited to build on that foundation by visiting the actual historical sites and ecosystems we’ve been reading about. Throughout this trip, I hope to strengthen my observational skills and gain extensive hands-on experience in species identification, fieldwork, and collaboration with classmates in completely new ecosystems!

I’m a little nervous about the inevitable, countless mosquito and bug bites to be obtained throughout the trip, but hopefully my hydrocortisone cream can help with that.. I don’t really have experience with fieldwork other than BIOS 213 (Intro Lab to Ecology/Evolutionary Biology), so I’m really excited for these next two weeks to gain some insight to what it’s like to be a tropical field biologist!

Brazos Bend fieldtrip from BIOS 213!

 

Next blog post, I will actually be in Belize, which is un-belizeable!

Well then, I will see you all in Belize!! 😉

With love,

Sohee

2022

Almost time to depart! (Day 0)

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It’s thrilling to think that in just 1 week, I will be on the shores of Glover Reef learning about the delicate coral reef ecosystem.  All summer, I have been reading up on and studying  Belizean reptiles, echinoderms, flora, illnesses, and traditional medicines, and I hope to put this knowledge to good use.  When I was younger, I visited many tropical countries like Costa Rica, Belize, Bonaire, Honduras, and Peru, yet I’ve never gone on a research-based trip. Therefore, I’m excited to revisit Belize and develop a newfound appreciation for the Mayan forest’s biodiversity.

Admittedly, I am a little nervous about lionfish, venomous snakes, mosquitos, and ants. Belize has 8 different types of venomous snakes, and although they all have antivenoms, I still don’t want to get bitten by accident. Also, tropical mosquitos like the Aedes aegypti carry tons of illnesses that I would hate to host. However, I’m sure that we can avoid any dangerous interactions with proper equipment and vigilance! I think the only non-environmental concern I have is being able to identify my taxa. I’m so worried that something may pop up, and I’ll have no clue what it is. I can only hope my Taxon cards are enough!

My goals for the trip are as follows:

  1.  Find a Holcosus festivus aka the Central American Whiptail. Whiptail lizards are my favorite species and their colorful variants are only found in tropical areas
  2.  Find a West Indian Sea Egg (Tripneustes ventricosus) and name them “Fuzzy”
  3. Identify a few traditional medicine plants, and maybe use one if it is safe. (For context, medicine is a niche interest of mine)
  4. Learn about the tropical bats in Belize and how they differ from “old-world bats”
  5. Gain research experience and better understand  how research is conducted:  the environment, tasks, etc.
  6. Better understand the Ecology and Bioscience fields (my major!!!) as a whole

I’m most excited to see the wide variety of fauna and walk through the rainforest. The ocean is great and all, but as a Floridian and an experienced diver, I have already visited very diverse reefs. So, I am way more excited to be immersed in an unfamiliar ecosystem like the jungle. Also, the professors keep mentioning cave systems and Las Cuevas, and caves mean my favorite animals, BATS!!! Lastly, I’m hoping to get some great photos to paint when I get back in July.

Even though it’s a week away, I’ve been studying, planning, preparing, and packing , so my suitcase is already stacked for adventure!

Wish me luck, because the next time you will hear from me I’ll be in the tropics! Till then!!!

I’ve had this suitcase packed for weeks now, slowly adding to the collection as gear came in the mail!!!

-Faith

 

2017, Uncategorized

Pre-Trip: The Countdown

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I’ve been to Canada twice. Those are the only times I have ever left the United States. Tomorrow, my list will be longer. I will leave the U.S. for Belize.

Belize will provide me with an unique opportunity to learn about new living things in new settings. As a lover of nature, viewing the coral reefs and rainforest Belize offers will be a fulfilling experience. I have never seen coral outside of a fish tank or on a piece of jewelry. Likewise, it has been a long, long time since I have seen a tree taller than 50 feet. I am excited to immerse myself in the unique land- and seascapes and gain perceptive of the natural wonders that lie outside of an American cityscape.

I am most excited to see Belize’s natural colors – the lush green of the rainforest canopy, the crisp blue of the Caribbean sea, and the plethora of new colors I have not yet anticipated.

My concerns? Just the uncertainty. There are a lot of unknowns. However, the uncertainty does not deter me. I am determined to grasp every opportunity, see every site, and learn as much as I can about each living thing I encounter.

I’ve had my passport printed and ordered boots and fins and a snorkel and special adventurer pants. I’ve read hundreds of pages of facts. I have, for the most part, packed. I am ready.

Nature is calling, and I am calling back.

Here’s to Belize!