Belize serves as an ecological classroom

An ecological experience

With the assistance of the IU East Annual Fund, 13 IU East students and Associate Professor Neil Sabine traveled to Central America in May.

At the students’ first destination, Mahogany Trail, Medicinal Trail and La Milpa archaeological site, they participated in activities that focused on the tropical forest, with experiences that included bird watching, hiking and wildlife and nightlife spotting.

“The first stop when we reached August Pine Ridge today was the home of the town’s local medicine man,” wrote Tara Faber, a biology student in the daily journal each student kept. “He introduced himself and then took us on a tour of his medicine gardens. A lot of his medical herbs and plants that he showed us were the same as the ones Bladimir, our guide, pointed out in the Programme for Belize Medicinal Garden.”

Another class destination was the South Water Caye, located just east of Belize, where marine ecology was the focus. Students attended daily lectures and participated in snorkeling, marine life presentations, coral identifications and various other activities.

Neil Sabine, an associate professor of biology, chaperoned the trip and expressed his excitement toward the students participating in the program. “I had a great group of students, who made only favorable impressions on the Belizeans,” he said. “Hands-on, academics, teachings and the environment—it was all great,” said Meghan Alexander. “I learned as well as participated in the curriculum, which was a pleasant change from the classroom experience that I usually have. I am so very glad I was given this opportunity and will encourage others to take advantage, if ever they should get the chance.”