Conservation Projects

  • Environmental education, marine biology, and hands-on conservation work are core aspects of Ocean Academy's curriculum and educational goals.   The motto of Ocean Academy is "Preserving Our Heritage, Creating Our Future" and student leadership in environmental stewardship and activism is greatly valued.  Click here to see photos.

 

 

 

January 2011

 

Composting and Gardening Student Small Business: Cilantro, mint and basil sales.

 

November 2010

 

Reef Summit Aerial Photo:  45 Ocean Academy students, family and community members joined citizens interested in sending a creative reef conservation message to the world.  Belize City sent 2 boatloads, and together with the Caye Caulker group they travelled to tiny Sergeant's Caye to stage the Aerial Art Event.  The photo is part of a larger project called the Aerial Art Mosaic in support of the 350.org Climate Change World Events. Click here to learn more about the Reef Summit's Aerial Event, and click here to see the photos.

 

 

On Youtube - Night Dive to view Elk Horn Coral Spawning:  This actually occurred last school year, but I just managed now to get fast enough internet to upload the video.  3 students accompanied marine biologists to the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve, and although no spawning was observed, listen to the students describe what they did see.  Click here for the marine biologist explaining the night snorkel goals.   Click here for the students' reactions after the night snorkel.

 

 

October 2010

 

Compost Project Sprouting Cilantro: Ocean Academy's fledging compost business has it's first cilantro sprouts!  Volunteers David and Kathy Holscott, and students Mercedes, Elizabeth, Kyle and D'Arcy have been cultivating their green thumbs with this eco-entrepreneurship venture.  With more succsesful sprouts the studetns plan to sell the herbs, and the compost, to raise money for school trips.

 

 

 

 

Geotourism Challenge 2010 Places on the Edge: Saving Coastal and Freshwater Destinations Competition:  Ocean  Academy was selected as a best early-bird entry and won $500.  The $5000 grand prize will be selected by an online vote.  This competition aims to find innovative solutions for coastal, waterway, and island destinations that protect the environment and strengthen the heritage and livelihoods of local residents. Geotourism is defined as “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, heritage, aesthetics, culture and the well-being of its residents."  Entries are judged on innnovation, social impact and sustainability.  You can read Ocean Academy's entry here.

 

 

 

Turtle Classes: Laurie Streble came to Caye Caulker to get married, but spent a lot of her time volunteering instead!  Laurie guest lectured at Ocean Academy in marine biology science, and then led a turtle arts-and-crafts session for the Childrens' Environmental Club in the afternoon.  Thanks and congratulations!

 

 

 

 

NEMO Guest Speaker:  NEMO is the National Emergency Management Organization of Belize.  Ocean Academy students learned about hurricane facts and precautions on Wednesday 20th, and 4 students signed up as volunteers with NEMO.  Principal Hilda Marin is also on the Caye Caulker NEMO committee.

 

10/10/10 350.org Climate Change Event: Ocean Academy students joined FAMRACC for a mangrove restoration planting day. "350.org is an international grassroots campaign that aims to mobilize a global climate movement united by a common call to action. By spreading an understanding of the science and a shared vision for a fair policy, we will ensure that the world creates bold and equitable solutions to the climate crisis.  350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Scientists measure carbon dioxide in "parts per million" (ppm), so 350ppm is the number humanity needs to get below as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change. To get there, we need a different kind of PPM-a "people powered movement" that is made of people like you in every corner of the planet".

 

Climate Change Film Crew - Dr. Owen Day from Barbardos came to Caye Caulker to film and interview FAMRACC and their mangrove restoration project work.  As part of his film, Dr. Day interviewed Ocean Academy students about their volunteer work with mangrove planting, as well as their thoughts about the issue of climate change.  The film will be distributed throughout the Caribbean BBC.

  

April 2010

 

 

 

Shop Green:  Co-Founder Joni Miller has been working with students at Belize's Galen University the past 4 months through a course she co-taught: "Applications of Sustainable Development".  One of the projects is called Shop Green, and involves marketing reusable shopping bags.  The Galen student group created a market survey, educational display and located a local bag producer.  A local couple in San Ignacio makes the bags.

 

Profits from bag sales go towards environmental activities of the Interact clubs of Ocean Academy (Caye Caulker) and Sacred Heart (San Ignacio).  The Interact Club students of both clubs will continue to sell the bags, educate their communities about the benefits of plastic bag reduction, and keep the project going. Joni has entered the Shop Green Project in a competition - Leveraging Business for Social Change - and you can read more project details on their site.  Coming soon.... a link on this website to purchase the bags using PayPal and have them delivered to your home.

 

Earth Day April 22: The entire student body, staff and volunteers joined marine biologists and volunteered with the FAMRACC Mangrove Restoration Project on the north island (Forest and Marine Reserves Association of Caye Caulker).  Despite the hot sun, all worked hard to collect beach trash, clear interpretative trails, and water mangrove seedlings.

 

  

February 2010

 

"Plants of Caye Caulker" book launch (Feb. 7): Ocean Academy is honored to receive a copy of this newly launched book.  Ocean Academy student volunteers helped paint signs identifying native plants in the mini-reserve.  Our book copy will be of great interest to science students.  Authors Dorothy Bevridge and Jacob Rietsema inscribed our school copy with these words: "For Ocean Academy - fostering environmental and cultural learning. Thank you for your volunteer work with CCBTIA".

 

  

December 2009

We are very proud of Form II student, Mercedes, winner of the National Youth Award for environmentalism.  Mercedes was one of 10 young people selected nationally for awards, and recognized at a ceremony in Belize City.

  

November 2009

 

  • Beach Cleanup of North Island Caye Caulker (November 15): Students Yvon, Yvonne and Irene accompanied teacher Joni and marine biologists from FAMRACC on a boat to the north island to clean beach trash from the nature reserve.  As with the Coastal Cleanup Project last month, students learned that plastics dominate the trash they collected.  Students also weeded the beachfront in front of the Ranger's Station to prepare for a furture volunteer campsite. FAMRACC is the Forest and Marine Reserves Association of Caye Caulker.

 

 

  

October 2009

  

  • International Coastal Cleanup: Sunday October 25, Ocean Academy students and staff participated in the Ocean Conservancy's Coastal Cleanup Project.  Our goal was to surpass last year's accomplishment of collecting trash along one mile of beach coastline.  Data was collected about the trash and debris picked up and put into categories: recreational activities (ex. bags, bottles, food wrappers), ocean activities (ex. buoys, fishing line), smoking-related activities (ex. lighters, cigar tips), dumping activities (ex. batteries, appliances), medical and personal hygiene (ex. diapers, tampons).   

  

September 2009

 

Teacher Joni elected to FAMRACC Board of Directors:  FAMRACC is the Forest and Marine Reserve Association of Caye Caulker.  Joni is pleased to assist with island conservation projects and goals.  Joni's specific role is Volunteer Coordinator and Director of Fundraising.  Ocean academy students are also very involved in FAMRACC's mangrove growth project, and marine biology surveys.

 


  • Marine Biology Night Snorkel: 2-5 nights after the full moon of September is the time for the spawning of Elk Horn Corals (Acropora Palmata).  Mercedes, Clifton, Danny and Ms. Joni joined marine biologists Ellen McRae and Ali Cansino on a night snorkel of the North Cut Channel to observe and document this phenomena.  And while unfortunately we didn't see any spawning, we did learn from Ms. McRae that Caye Caulker's elk horn population is doing well compared to other sites.  We also saw two squid, a nurse shark, lobsters, shrimp, many types of coral, and numerous fish whose colours were vibrant under the dive lights.  The Ocean Academy students have been invited to assist with fish I.D., conch and lobster surveys, mangrove restoration, and an eel grass project planned for the coming months.  Thank you to Frenchie's Diving Services for their loan of equipment to Ocean Academy.

 

June 2009

 

  • Ocean Academy joins FAMRACC:  FAMRACC is the Forest and Marine Reserve Association of Caye Caulker.  June 12, FAMRACC invited Ocean Academy to join and represent the teen youth on the island.  We are excited about the environmental education and volunteer opportunities this membership can facilitate.

 

Mangrove Replanting Project Assistants:  June 2, David, Mercedes and volunteer Meagan went to the north side of the island where there is a reserve.  They assisted marine biologists Nidia Chacon, Ali, and Ellen McRae of FAMRACC with their mangrove growth research projects.  The students helped lay transects and plant mangrove shoots, and measure the growth of previously planted mangroves.

 

 

May 2009 

 

  • Field Trip to the Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye: May 21-22, students snorkelled the Blue Hole, and then camped overnight on Half Moon Caye.  Rangers led narrated nature walks to view the red-footed booby birds; in the evening a marine biologist spoke about the reserve's ecology and wildlife; another ranger taught students about the history of Half Moon Caye, the lighthouse, shipwrecks, and national marine park legislation.  Students volunteered to help the rangers weed invasive coconut saplings, clear trails, and collect beach trash.  Lots of fun was also had playing beach volleyball, fishing and swimming! For many students, this was their very first camping trip ever, and their first time to this popular tourist destination.

 


Identification Signs Painted for the Caye Caulker BTIA Mini-Reserve: Ocean Academy students toured the Caye Caulker Nature Reserve (CCBTIA), learned the names and uses of plants, and then planted a mahogany tree.  Students are also volunteering their time to paint tree identification signs to hang in the nature reserve.

 

April 2009

Local field trip to learn about sea turtles: Students visited the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve Office April 27 & 28 to learn about sea turtle research and protection in Belize.  Marine biologist Nidia Chacon, who also teaches at Ocean Academy,  led the presentations.  Mercedes is doing an apprenticeship with the marine biologists, and she led the presentation for the Standard III children.

 

 

Ministry of the Environment Poster Competition Contestants: Ocean Academy is proud of students Mercedes and Lilly.  The girls worked hard on posters depicting threats to Belize's Wetlands and entered their work in a nation-wide poster competition.  The Ministry of the Environment sent Mercedes and Lilly both certificates of recognition for their good work, and notebooks illustrated with all the posters submitted for the contest.

 

 

  • Ocean Academy celebrates Earth Day: April 22 was World Earth Day.  Science students studied biodegradable products and conducted experiments.  English students read poems about ecology and the environment, and then planted a tree. Social Studies students watched the first episode of the BBC "Planet Earth Series", analyzed photos of the planet taken from satellites, and discussed the interconnectedness of world ecosystems.  Bridge Class students created paper images of Earth and strung them together as a garland; students wrote one activity they pledged to do for Earth Day on the back of each paper image of the planet.

 

October 2008 - present

 

Marine Biology Apprenticeship for Mercedes:

Ocean Academy individualizes attention for top students such as Mercedes.  This amazing young woman has translated her deep love for the reef into a passion for environmental stewardship.  As part of her science curriculum, we paired her with local marine biologist, Nidia Alarcon, as an apprentice to conduct marine life surveys, set transects, analyze field data, and educate primary-school students.