So Charles Darwin referred to the Belize Barrier Reef in 1842.  The Belize Barrier Reef is the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second longest barrier reef in the world.  Only Australia's Great Barrier Reef is longer.  It is home to hundreds of species of tropical fish, thousands of species of marine invertebrates and located only half a mile from the tranquil beaches in the small fishing village of Hopkins.  Miles of staghorn and elkhorn coral tower above the sea floor while nurse sharks and southern stingrays swim below the turquoise water.  Barrel sponges, lobsters, nurse sharks, upsidedown jellyfish, resident loggerhead turtles, stingrays and manatee sittings are almost a guarantee.   Belize is home to one of the healthiest reef systems in the entire Caribbean.  Healthy marine ecosystems are critical to the safety and welfare of the majority of the human population.  Be prepare for a once in a lifetime adventure to the heart of the Caribbean!

So Charles Darwin referred to the Belize Barrier Reef in 1842.  The Belize Barrier Reef is the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second longest barrier reef in the world.  Only Australia's Great Barrier Reef is longer.  It is home to hundreds of species of tropical fish, thousands of species of marine invertebrates and located only half a mile from the tranquil beaches in the small fishing village of Hopkins.  Miles of staghorn and elkhorn coral tower above the sea floor while nurse sharks and southern stingrays swim below the turquoise water.  Barrel sponges, lobsters, nurse sharks, upsidedown jellyfish, resident loggerhead turtles, stingrays and manatee sittings are almost a guarantee.   Belize is home to one of the healthiest reef systems in the entire Caribbean.  Healthy marine ecosystems are critical to the safety and welfare of the majority of the human population.  Be prepare for a once in a lifetime adventure to the heart of the Caribbean!

The next Marine Biology trip (6 days and 5 nights) is planned for May 2011 (exact dates to be determined).  A $200 deposit is required to secure your place.  The remaining balance of $1,550 (this may change due to airfare costs) can be paid in installments.  All students will need a valid U.S. passport in order to gain entry into Belize.  Students are required to register for BIO 208 (Marine Biology, 2 credits) while non-student participants (individuals who are interested in the trip but do not need/want college credit) will need to register through the International Community Education program.  Trip cost includes airfare, shuttle to and from the LLCC main campus parking lot to the St. Louis airport as well as in Belize, room and board, snacks, snorkling trips and Marine park fees.  Participants are required to bring their own mask, fins and snorkel.

To learn more about this trip or to reserve your spot, please contact Professor Cox by email at Dave.Cox@llcc.edu or by phone at 217.786.4909.

Space is limited to 15 particpants.

The next Marine Biology trip (6 days and 5 nights) is planned for May 2011 (exact dates to be determined).  A $200 deposit is required to secure your place.  The remaining balance of $1,550 (this may change due to airfare costs) can be paid in installments.  All students will need a valid U.S. passport in order to gain entry into Belize.  Students are required to register for BIO 208 (Marine Biology, 2 credits) while non-student participants (individuals who are interested in the trip but do not need/want college credit) will need to register through the International Community Education program.  Trip cost includes airfare, shuttle to and from the LLCC main campus parking lot to the St. Louis airport as well as in Belize, room and board, snacks, snorkling trips and Marine park fees.  Participants are required to bring their own mask, fins and snorkel.

To learn more about this trip or to reserve your spot, please contact Professor Cox by email at Dave.Cox@llcc.edu or by phone at 217.786.4909.

Space is limited to 15 particpants.

Day 1:  Participants depart via coach from LLCC's parking lot (main campus, Springfield) and arrive in Belize where we will take a shuttle to the villiage of Hopkins and get settled in for the evening.

Day 2:  Wake up to watch the sunrise over the blue Caribbean waters.  After breakfast, we will head out to one of the shallower reef sites.  This will allow us to become familiar with snorkeling in the ocen while providing us with ample opportunity to see hundreds of different marine species.  The afternoon will take us to a second snorkel stop which will have a new variety of marine life to explore.  After snorkeling all day, we will return to the dock in time to watch the sunset over the horizon.

Day 3:  Once again we will head out to explore the fascinating mysteris of the reef.  Today we will explore the aft reef area where Loggerhead sea turtle sightings are common.  During the afternoon we will go on a beach walk to investigate the various species that live on the beaches.  At night, we will go on a night seining to study the nocturnal marine life.

Day 4: Today we explore Tobacco Caye.  This area is home to hundreds of marine species that can be observed in a single glance.  Weather permitting, we will stop at Carrie Bow Caye which houses the Smithsonian Natural History Museum's Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystems Program.  Here we will have a chance to learn about the health of the reef from a variety of international scientists.

Day 5:  This morning we head to Glovers Atoll.  The southern section of the atoll serves as a protected reserve.  Glovers Atoll contains over 700 shallow coral patches within its lagoon.   There is an abundance of marine life to be found in Glovers Atoll, including turtles, manta rays and all types of sharks.

Day 6:  Today is our last day to collect a few more rays of Caribbean sunshine before we pack our bags, say good-bye to our hosts and get ready to come home

Day 1:  Participants depart via coach from LLCC's parking lot (main campus, Springfield) and arrive in Belize where we will take a shuttle to the villiage of Hopkins and get settled in for the evening.

Day 2:  Wake up to watch the sunrise over the blue Caribbean waters.  After breakfast, we will head out to one of the shallower reef sites.  This will allow us to become familiar with snorkeling in the ocen while providing us with ample opportunity to see hundreds of different marine species.  The afternoon will take us to a second snorkel stop which will have a new variety of marine life to explore.  After snorkeling all day, we will return to the dock in time to watch the sunset over the horizon.

Day 3:  Once again we will head out to explore the fascinating mysteris of the reef.  Today we will explore the aft reef area where Loggerhead sea turtle sightings are common.  During the afternoon we will go on a beach walk to investigate the various species that live on the beaches.  At night, we will go on a night seining to study the nocturnal marine life.

Day 4: Today we explore Tobacco Caye.  This area is home to hundreds of marine species that can be observed in a single glance.  Weather permitting, we will stop at Carrie Bow Caye which houses the Smithsonian Natural History Museum's Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystems Program.  Here we will have a chance to learn about the health of the reef from a variety of international scientists.

Day 5:  This morning we head to Glovers Atoll.  The southern section of the atoll serves as a protected reserve.  Glovers Atoll contains over 700 shallow coral patches within its lagoon.   There is an abundance of marine life to be found in Glovers Atoll, including turtles, manta rays and all types of sharks.

Day 6:  Today is our last day to collect a few more rays of Caribbean sunshine before we pack our bags, say good-bye to our hosts and get ready to come home