During the first week of the course, students will learn
about tropical forest ecology and management. Learning experiences
include (but are not limited to) classroom lectures, guided and unguided
nature hikes, "hands-on" activities such as bat and bird trapping, data
collection, and independent research projects. One of the main objectives
of this part of the course is to gain an understanding of regional and
global biodiversity and the processes that produce and maintain biodiversity.
Students
will be exposed to a tremendous diversity of plant and animal species.
We will observe (in the field) and learn (in the classroom
and field) about plant and animal adaptations in the rain forest. Also, we will
explore many different tropical forest types, and learn about the conservation
and management strategies used to protect these important natural resources.
Furthermore, students will learn to do what ecologists and wildlife
biologists do in the field to study and survey both plant and animal species.
Specifically,
students will learn techniques in capturing and handling small mammals,
bats and birds, as well as participate in surveys for monitoring plants
and animals.
While in the jungle, students will conduct a scientific study on one of the systems or organisms they observed in the forest ecosystem. Under the guidance of the instructors, students will develop a hypothesis and study design, collect data, and present to the class the findings of his/her experiment. We will provide students with all materials to conduct and report on the study.
Finally, students are expected to develop an appreciation of the cultures and history of Belize. Students will learn about the many cultures in Belize, visit Mayan ruins, will learn about Belize and Mayan history, and interact with Belizeans of many ethnic backgrounds throughout the course.
Our facilities at the La Milpa Field Station. The La Milpa
Field Station sits in the middle of the 240,000+ acre Rio Bravo
Conservation Area. From this location, we are able to take short
and extended hikes, and day-long excursions to different forest types,
Mayan ruins, and other cultural areas. Students stay in either dormitory
style housing or cabanas (shown in the background) with running water and
electricity. 
Students "disappear" into a forest dominated by cohune palm trees on a
guided nature hike. Students have the opportunity to take guided
and unguided hikes through different jungle types. Along the way,
there is the opportunity to observe 100s of plant and animal species in
their natural settings. This is an excellent way to study plant and
animal adaptations, plant-animal interactions, and biodiversity concepts.
Classroom lectures along with input from instructors and guides provide
students with all of the information they need to make the most out of
their time at La Milpa. 
Ramone,
our host at La Milpa and forest guide, discribes the biology of one of the
more common trees along the edges of forests in the region, the bullhorn
acacia. 
A bullhorn
acacia tree possess "horns," which are hollow structures used to house ants.
The bullhorn acacias also provide nectar and a source of protein for
the ants. In turn, the trees receive protection against herbivores
and competition from an army of ants. A great example of a mutually
beneficial symbiotic relationship!
At night, mist nets are used to trap bats for study and observation.
The same mist nets that we used to trap bats are also used by ecologists
to trap birds. Kamal Islam, an ornithologist and one of the instructors during the 2002 course, displays one of the more striking birds caught one morning, a Blue-crowned Mot Mot.
Jay
demonstrates his bird-holding technique of a woodcreeper with his fellow
classmates.
A vireo trys to take flight as the class looks on...
Our guide Ramone deciphers the inscriptions on a stela in front of partially
excavated Mayan ruin. A stela was used to describe the life of the
person buried in a particular temple or ruin. In the background, Bill explores the steps of the ancient ruin, most of which is still covered by soil and lush tropical vegetation.
"P"
John poses for the class in front of a Ficus tree with colossal
buttressed roots. Such roots are an adaptation for the extremely
poor, shallow soils found in the tropics.
The class congregates on the steps of a Mayan temple for a quick photo.
At the top of the temple, locals remove soil, vegetation, and other
debris under the guidance of archeaologists. Buckets attached to ropes
and pulleys (to the left) are used to move the debris down the temple. 