Belize:​ July 10 - 21, ​​2023

Program Information

The country of Belize is home to incredible biodiversity. Its crystalline waters, swaying seagrass beds, and lush jungles offer critical habitat for bats, tropical birds, sea turtles, and a subspecies of endangered West Indian manatees. Beneath vibrant jungle canopies and along sparkling white sand beaches, life in Belize abounds. You'll have the chance to explore and learn about these rich ecosystems firsthand on the Belize Marine Ecology program.

The program doesn't have pre-requisites and is open to all RCCD major and non-major students. ​

 

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Download Brochure​

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Program Contacts

Dr. Tonya Huff
​Professor of Biology
Riverside City College​​ ​
Tonya.Huff@rcc.edu 

Dr. Christi Scott
Associate Professor of Biology
Riverside City College
christi.scott@rcc​.edu​
​​

Program Cost & Schedule of Payment

​(Fundraising, Scholarships, and Financial Aid are available)

$4995 (including round trip airfare, lodging and meals)

1. 1. 1. $250 enrollment deposit is due with application
         
         
      2. An additional $750 non-refundable tuition deposit is due on or before 12/15/2022
         
         
      3. The final payment is due 5/11/23
         
         

Program Cancellation Policy 

A.) Standard Cancellation Policy

• • • • Any cancellation within 24 hours of enrollment is entitled to a full refund
        
        
      • Cancellation up to five months (150 days) prior to course start date is entitled to a full refund minus a $100 fee*
        
        
      • Cancellation between five months (149 days) and two months (60 days) prior to course start date is entitled to a full refund minus $500 fee*
        
        
      • Cancellation within two months (59 days) of course start date receives no refund.
        
        

B.) COVID-19 Cancellation Policy 

EPI offers the following exceptions to the standard cancellation policy for cases involving COVID-19. To qualify for the COVID exceptions, a participant must meet one of the following criteria:

1. 1. 1. 1. Positive COVID-19-test result or COVID-19 symptoms accompanied by a doctor's verification.
            
            
         2. Known exposure to COVID-19 that is documented by a contact tracer or requires a health department mandated quarantine.
            
            
         3. College, District, municipal, state, federal, or international POLICY restricting travel due to COVID-19.
            
            

C.) Late Cancellation Policy

Late Cancellations (within two months of course departure date) due to COVID-19 are subject to the following exceptions to the standard cancellation policy:

• • • Cancellation between two months (60 days) and two weeks (14 days) prior to course start date are entitled to a full refund minus $1000 fee.*
      
      
    • Cancellation within two weeks 13 days of course start date are entitled to a full refund minus $1,500 fee.* For COVID cancellations, tuition vouchers are available in place of any qualified refund at 100% value up until 30 days prior to course, at which point an 85% voucher is available. This does not include any non-refundable airfare costs. Airline vouchers provided if refunds are not possible.
      ​

Meet Your RCCD Faculty & Course Info​​

​

Dr. Tonya Huff 

Assistant Professor of Biology
Riverside City College​​
tonya.huff@rcc.edu​ 
 ​

 

BIO-31C - Neotropical Field Ecology (3​ units) CSU

Prerequisite: None From inland rainforests to colorful coastal coral reefs and swaying seagrass beds, Belize is home to tremendous biodiversity. In this course, you will practice your observation skills and field research techniques both on land and in the water as you help collect data on species like West Indian manatees, sea turtles, neotropical bats, and local amphibians and reptiles. Students that participate in this course will assist Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society (TREES) with inland rainforest research, contribute to manatee population assessments, conduct vegetation surveys, snorkel the Belize barrier reef, and participate in a cultural exchange with Belizean ecology students. Students majoring in biology, ecology, or sustainability as well as those who are just interested in exploring and conserving the amazing diversity of this tropical region will all benefit from this incredible, applied, hands-on opportunity. Your efforts during this class will ultimately help to protect critical Belizean ecosystems! 

• • • Assist with neotropical bat, reptile, and amphibian surveys in the rainforest and help to restore critical habitat for these animals 
      
      
    • Explore mangrove forests and seagrass beds while you conduct vegetation surveys and help monitor manatees in the Southern lagoon 
      
      
    • Perform coral reef biodiversity assessments during a guided snorkeling expedition (no experience or gear necessary) 
      
      
    • Experience Belizean culture as you interact with local ecology students and attend a Kriol drum presentation
      ​

 

​

​Dr. Christi Scott

Associate Professor of Biology
Riverside City College
christi.scott@rcc.edu

 

BIO- 31C - Neotropical Field Ecology (3 units) CSU

Prerequisite: None. From inland rainforests to colorful coastal coral reefs and swaying seagrass beds, Belize is home to tremendous biodiversity. In this course, you will practice your observation skills and field research techniques both on land and in the water as you help collect data on species like West Indian manatees, sea turtles, neotropical bats, and local amphibians and reptiles. Students that participate in this course will assist Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society (TREES) with inland rainforest research, contribute to manatee population assessments, conduct vegetation surveys, snorkel the Belize barrier reef, and participate in a cultural exchange with Belizean ecology students. Students majoring in biology, ecology, or sustainability as well as those who are just interested in exploring and conserving the amazing diversity of this tropical region will all benefit from this incredible, applied, hands-on opportunity. Your efforts during this class will ultimately help to protect critical Belizean ecosystems!​

​Sample Itinerary