The College is planning an exciting trip to the Bay Islands in the Roatan Marine Park for 2 weeks 1st – 14th July 2020. A once in a lifetime trip for students who want to be involved in scientific research with university research scientists who are working on marine projects of global environmental importance for the future health of coral reefs.
The Roatan Marine Park is considered one of the best examples of community-based conservation management in the Caribbean and is home to abundant fish and turtle populations.
Conservation Initiatives are focused on restoring populations of a keystone sea urchin species, and managing threats from the invasive lionfish.
The trip will cost approximately £2,800 with a PADI dive qualification included in the price of the trip (to gain this qualification separately would cost about £500) but students can still take part in the expedition if they wish to snorkel instead of learning to dive. Land-based activities will involve learning about Coral Reef Ecology.
Students who have taken part in previous marine conservation trips run by the College have found their experiences invaluable, not only for their UCAS applications for Science, Biology, Zoology, Environmental, Geography and Photography courses but also for future university courses and careers.
For information about Operation Wallacea, the conservation research organisation who organise this amazing trip please have a look at their website here.
Further detail on the study areas and research objectives of the expedition and the Bay Islands Expedition Activities, together with how the expedition links to A Level and EPQ qualifications, can be found on these links:
www.opwall.com/expeditions/school-expedition/bay-islands/
www.opwall.com/uploads/2019/09/Opwall-Schools-Booklet-Bay-Islands-2020.pdf
We will be holding a presentation evening on 23rd September at 7pm in the Martin Read Hall with a representative from OpWall available to provide first-hand information about the expedition, to explain how students can fundraise for all or part of their costs and to answer questions. Please email Libby Smith (libby.smith@alton.hsdc.ac.uk) if you are interested in attending this presentation.