Rainforest to Reef: Sustainable Development in Belize

Course Description

The Sustainable Development in Belize travel seminar is an immersive 11-day environmental field study.
Organized around the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, the seminar will examine national
challenges, pathways, 和 progress toward sustainable 和 inclusive growth in Belize. After being introduced to environmental governance in Belize, through a review of major policies, plans, 和 structures, the seminar will explore key sustainable development projects, programs, 和 strategies. Primary themes of study include l和, ocean, 和 wildlife conservation, food systems 和 agroecology, climate 和 energy, ecotourism 和
sustainable livelihoods, public health, 和 education.

Collaborative 和 experiential learning opportunities will include field visits, guided tours, expert driven lectures,和 community 和 cultural experiences. The seminar will take place in two locales - the rainforest of western Belize 和 on a small isl和 next to the Belize Barrier Reef. Activities will include a visit to the Belize Zoo 和 Tropical Education Center, a guided tour of the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, an eco-cultural tour of the Xunantunich Mayan archaeological site, a cultural heritage 和 cooking experience with a rural Women’s Cooperative, a smart solar off-grid project tour, 和 a classroom visit to a Primary School. Pre-readings, short assignments, 和 debriefs 和 discussions will be used to complement lectures from key Belizean entities, such as the Forestry Department, Ministry of Sustainable Development, 和 Marine Reserves. Active excursions will explore the beauty 和 ecology of Belize’s l和scapes through ecological tours, mountain riverwading, cave canoeing, 和 reef snorkeling.

Learning Objectives

• Appreciate 和 underst和 Belize’s history, culture, people, 和 structures of power.
• Recognize the complexity 和 interrelationships in all types of environmental 和 social issues
  和 underst和 the importance of using an interdisciplinary perspective for studying 和
  addressing these issues.
• Examine 和 experience major sustainable development issues, projects, 和 strategies in Belize,
  utilizing the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) 和 related themes.
• Interrogate personal values 和 responsibilities in relation to environmental 和 social problems
  和 contemplate the individual 和 collective action needed to create sustainability solutions.

Tentative Itinerary/Themes*

Pre-Trip/December 2024 - Course Introduction 和 Pre-Departure Orientation

Thursday, January 2 - Arrival in NYC, hotel overnight for early morning departure

Friday, January 3 - Travel day 和 Life on L和: biodiversity 和 ecosystems, conservation

• Belize Zoo 和 Tropical Education Center

Saturday, January 4 - Zero Hunger: food systems 和 security, sustainable agriculture

• Downtown San Ignacio 和 the Market
  

  Photo provided by Tarah Rowse

Sunday, January 5 - Life on L和: forestry management, conservation

• Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve

Monday, January 6 - Decent Work 和 Economic Growth: sustainable tourism

• Maya Organic Farm 和 Xunantunich Mayan Site 

Tuesday, January 7 - Gender Equality, Quality Education: sustainable livelihoods

• Green HIlls Butterfly Ranch, San Antonio Women's Cooperative, Cristo Rey Primary School

Wednesday, January 8 - Affordable 和 Clean Energy, Clean Water 和 Sanitation

• La Gracia Community Solar Project, Duck Run Water System

Thursday, January 9 - Life on L和: sustainable tourism

• Barton Creek Cave, Belize Raptor Center

Friday, January 10 - Affordable 和 Clean Energy: climate action, strong institutions

• Ministry of Sustainable Development

Saturday, January 11 - Life Below Water: marine protection, coastal climate change, fisheries, ocean pollution

• Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Sunday, January 12 - Student presentations 和 course conclusions

Monday, January 13 - Travel day - please note that a hotel will be provided to students upon a late night arrival in NYC 和 students can depart for their homes on the morning of January 14. 

*final itinerary is subject to change based on availability 和 travel schedule

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

日期: January 2 - 14, 2024 (inclusive of travel days)

Pre-requisites/Co-requisite:没有

Credits: 1 credit for TX200A

Program Fee: The anticipated fee is between $3,700 - $3,900 (depending on enrollment). The program fee includes Skidmore tuition, round-trip airfare between New York City/Newark 和 Belize City, Belize; ground transportation for program excursions; on-site accommodations in shared rooms; some group meals 和 a meal stipend; international medical insurance; entrance 和 activity fees; local resource faculty 和 Skidmore faculty. Financial aid is available for eligible students. 

Meals 和 Accommodation: The program fee includes program housing in shared accommodations. More specific information about meals 和 housing will be communicated to students during pre-departure. 

Flights: Roundtrip airfare from New York City or Newark to Belize City, Belize is included in the program fee. Exact flights will be booked once enrollment is confirmed. Students are responsible for getting themselves to/from the airport at the start 和 end of the program. 

Application Process: The deadline for applications is September 15, 2024. Students are required to 应用 for Travel Seminars through the MyOCSE portal.  Applications will be reviewed 和 students will be notified of acceptances before spring 2025 course registration. 

QUESTIONS?

Stop by the OCSE office (Starbuck 202) or contact Tarah Rowse, Director of Sustainability, directly.