"People divide; water connects."

Professor Bill Deutsch of Auburn University joined CCSP Belize last week for our Stream Ecology course.  We learned how streams connect us to our neighbors, and about some of the many environmental and social justice issues surrounding water use.

Bill talks about some of the basics before diving into Barton Creek

 Students had the opportunity to learn out in the field through hands-on activities as we explored streams in the limestone lowlands of Belize, and then compared them to those in the granite Maya Mountains.  We tested the chemistry of the water, learned how to monitor water quality, and even caught and identified some of the many different macro invertebrates that we don't even realize are living in our streams.  And of course we took the opportunity to swim in several of Belize's beautiful streams and waterways!

Michaela (Messiah College) employs her nursing skills to find out the
level of dissolved oxygen in this stream

Measuring the flow rate of a stream in Mountain Pine Ridge

Observing macro invertebrates gathered from the stream

One of the plentiful waterfalls at Rio On Pools

At the end of a great week of class, the staff here celebrated the one-month mark from when our students first arrived in Belize.  We transformed our kitchen and dining area into the "Macal Café," and served them a classic and delicious Belizean dinner by candlelight. 

The default meal in Belize: rice & beans, stewed chicken, cole slaw,
and plantains

Enjoying the atmosphere of the Macal Café

 Afterwards we took everyone out to our favorite local ice cream joint for dessert.  Thanks for such a great first month, gang - we look forward to sharing the rest of the semester with each and every one of you!!

The girls with their bouquets made entirely of plants found on our campus