Ecology Field Trip

Today, Ms. Godoy and I, along with our awesome Lab Manager, Rasheed (in the white shirt, below), took 30 Ecology students to Guanacaste National Park in Belmopan, Belize.  They were able to study the flora and fauna of rainforest and riparian ecosystems, starting with some Emballonurid (sac-winged) bats that were roosting in one of the picnic shelters.  On the trail they observed forest zonation, epiphytes, and various species of medicinal plants.  They then collected soil and water samples and analyzed them on site (pictured).  The only issue was that the bus repeatedly overheated on the way home due to a hole in the radiator hose, but our trusty driver just pulled over and added water (below) as needed. It was a fun and productive day, and I hope the students thought so too!