Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society (T.R.E.E.S)

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All posts by Vanessa Kilburn

Activities guide, Travel

Activity Guide

January 28, 2020 Vanessa Kilburn

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Toucan Ridge Ecology & Education Society| Ecological field station/ in the Maya mountains, Belize | @birdsoftoucanridge @treesbelizefarm

🌿 Protecting the Maya Mountains’ Bats 🦇 B

🌿 Protecting the Maya Mountains’ Bats 🦇

Bats are vital pollinators and insect controllers—crucial for a healthy ecosystem and our well-being! Yet, little is known about their biodiversity in the Maya Mountains of Belize.

To support our ongoing research, we need your help! We’re seeking used bird mist-nets from Bird Banding Stations. Bats quickly destroy nests, so fresh nets are essential for our work.

As spring migration winds down and inventories are underway, consider giving your old nets a new life—donate them to T.R.E.E.S. and help us protect these incredible creatures!

Please email us at vmartin@ecorana.ca for donations!

Together, we can make a difference. 🌍💚

#treesocietybelize #BatConservation #MayaMountains #SaveBirdsAndBats #ConservationInAction #birdbandingstation

🍄 Zombie Fungus Is Real—and It’s Terrifying

🍄 Zombie Fungus Is Real—and It’s Terrifying 🐜⁣
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Cordyceps is a genus of parasitic fungi that invades the bodies of insects like ants, wasps, and many others. Once inside, it spreads through the host’s body, taking control of its nervous system.⁣
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The infected insect is compelled to climb to a high, humid spot—perfect for fungal growth. Then, the fungus erupts from its body, releasing spores to infect the next unsuspecting victim.⁣
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It’s a gruesome display of nature at its most alien—and most fascinating.⁣
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There are over 260 known species of cordyceps, and each targets a specific host. Thankfully, none infect humans… yet. 👀⁣
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(If this sounds like something out of The Last of Us, you’re not wrong—the show took inspiration from this exact fungus.)⁣
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#Cordyceps #ZombieFungus #NatureIsWeird #ParasiticFungi #Mycology #FungalInfection #CreepyNature #treesocietybelize
#TheLastOfUs

🌿✨ Witnessing the magical transformation of a

🌿✨ Witnessing the magical transformation of a cicada emerging from its exoskeleton is one of nature’s most incredible moments here at the station! 🦗💫

This process, called ecdysis, is when the cicada sheds its old shell to become a new, grown-up insect. After spending years underground as a nymph, it surfaces to climb a tree or plant, then slowly breaks free from its exoskeleton — a delicate and astonishing act that marks its transition to adulthood.

The newly emerged cicada will harden its wings and start its chorus, filling the forest with their rhythmic calls. It’s a reminder of nature’s resilience and the incredible transformations that happen all around us.

Keep an eye out – you never know when you might witness this amazing process here at the station! 🌳🎶

#NatureObservation #Cicada #WildlifeWonder #Belize #EcoAdventure #Transformation #NatureLovers #inat

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Our first weekend session of the Introduction to B

Our first weekend session of the Introduction to Bird Banding for Belizeans was a huge success. Instructors were inspired to see so many passionate Belizeans embarking on their banding journey! We are excited for session two where we get to meet even more amazing new banders. Thanks to @instbirdpop for funding this important capacity building workshop! The future of banding in Belize is bright! #capacitybuilding #birdbanding #birdsofbelize #birders #trbo #treesocietybelize #birdresearch #birdringing #yourhempowerment

Kentucky Warbler (Geothlypis formosa), a common mi

Kentucky Warbler (Geothlypis formosa), a common migrant to Belize off the breeding season. They appear to have high site fidelity and we recapture many of the same individuals year after year.

The oldest recorded individual of this species was at least 8 years old and recaptured in Alabama. One of the key pieces of vital information we are able to gain from banding. The only way to get an idea how old wild birds live…pretty cool!

📸 by @its_ren_eisha.bz

#birds #bird #warblers #migration #trbo #birdfacts #birdsofbelize #mosi #ibp #birdbanding #birdringing #nuts_about_birds

Another super successful MoSi session and getting

Another super successful MoSi session and getting our Belizean crew all trained up by Abidas Ash in bird banding and bird conservation work in Belize @birdsoftoucanridge.

#mosi #birdbanding #birdringing #trbo #youthempowerment #ibp #birdconservation #belize #birdsofbelize #bird #birds #banderbwai #treesocietybelize

📸 @its_ren_eisha.bz 🙌

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Join us for our Neotropical Bat Capture Techniques

Join us for our Neotropical Bat Capture Techniques Internship. Currently, 4 positions are open for summer internships in 2023, here at our beautiful T.R.E.E.S. Research Center in the Maya Mountains of Belize. Over 60 different bat species have been recorded on our property!

Want to spend time living and learning about the jungle in the beautiful country of Belize? Want to learn how to handle bats and study their ecology? Then this is the internship for you!

The goal of this internship is to give the student various experiences in tropical bat studies that will aid the student in developing their skills for a variety of future education and employment opportunities. The main component of the project will be to work with T.R.E.E.S biologists and staff in establishing long-term bat monitoring projects (mist-netting, habitat characterization, mark-recapture). These baseline data will contribute to future ecological studies (breeding season, migration, activity phases, species composition) on bat populations present on the T.R.E.E.S property and elsewhere in the adjacent protected areas in the Maya Mountains.

Terms:
• Start-date: now
• Length of position: minimum 4 weeks; longer is preferable.
• Schedule: 30 hours per week, Monday–Friday.
• Fees for the Apprenticeship: $479 USD/week which includes all tutorship, equipment, food & lodging
• To handle bats you must have proof of up-to-date rabies immunity, including a recent titer if you received the vaccine more than two years ago.

Pictures and videos:
1. Chrotopterus auratus
2. Carollia perspicillata
3. Artibeus lituratus
4. & 5. Desmodus rotundus

#Bats #SummerInternship #Belize #InternAbroad #InternshipOpportunity #EcologyInternship #ConservationInternship #BatsInternship
4m

Happy World Migratory Bird Day! This year’s them

Happy World Migratory Bird Day! This year’s theme is ‘Water: Sustaining Bird Life’. Today, the whole world celebrates the essential connection between water and bird life. It's a time to acknowledge the crucial role of water bodies in sustaining the incredible diversity of bird species around the globe. 🦆🌍

Water is not only a source of life for birds but also serves as their sanctuary and vital feeding ground. From tranquil lakes to meandering rivers and vast coastal wetlands, these habitats provide a haven for migratory birds, offering them nourishment, rest, and breeding opportunities. 🌿💦

This year, let's reflect on the significance of water conservation and its impact on avian populations. As we face environmental challenges and the increasing scarcity of this precious resource, it becomes even more crucial to protect and restore our water bodies, ensuring the survival and well-being of migratory birds. 🐦💙

On this World Migratory Bird Day, let's unite to take action. Check out the infographic in this post for a few simple ways you can contribute to the conservation of water and bird life.

You can also donate to our bird conservation initiatives by buying a T-shirt via https://www.bonfire.com/trees1/

Don’t forget to share and let all your friends know about the ways they can help sustain the water needed for birds to thrive too!

#WorldMigratoryBirdDay2023 #WMBD23 #WaterForBirds #AvianConservation

Join us in honoring Endangered Species Day, a cruc

Join us in honoring Endangered Species Day, a crucial reminder of the urgent need to protect our precious wildlife!

Majestic birds, fascinating reptiles, and remarkable amphibians are under threat as a result of habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and illegal wildlife trade. Today, we raise our voices to raise awareness and take action for their survival.

Together, we can make a difference! Let's educate ourselves, support conservation efforts, and promote sustainable practices to ensure a future where these magnificent creatures thrive.

#EndangeredSpeciesDay #ProtectWildlife #ConservationMatters #TogetherForNature

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Testimonials

After spending a week at T.R.E.E.S this past summer, I feel that I have grown as a student, a scientist, and a person with the T.R.E.E.S directors and staff’s help. So many wonderful memories made despite having to confront a lot of fears and personal limitations…I am certainly more of a “city-girl.” But I honestly did end up enjoying myself! I decided to come on this trip to challenge myself and I feel that I came out of it with even more than I was hoping for: friends, fun, once in … Read more

MichelleStudentUniversity of Iowa

T.R.E.E.S immediately felt like home to me thanks to the beautiful yet rugged facilities, Vanessa’s welcoming smile, and Matt’s delicious cuisine! There was always something amazing to do or see. You get both quantity and quality when it comes to experiencing true Belize ecology at the T.R.E.E.S field station. Thank you T.R.E.E.S!

BrittanyBiology StudentUniversity of New Brunswick

We LOVED staying at T.R.E.E.S! Very educational, excellent hospitality and food. It was an unforgettable experience and I will definitely be back! Thank you for all your hard work!!

Stacy & JaredSave the Frogs Eco-Tour guests

Thank you so, so much for everything. The food was absolutely amazing, and the facilities were great – luxury compared to the last place we stayed. Thank you for being so nice and accommodating. I could live here!!! I will miss the place. ,

AmieEco-TouristSanta Cruz

In my travels to wilderness hotspots in various tropical parts of the world – West Indies, East Africa, India, Seychelles, Comoro Islands, Madagascar, New Zealand, Hawaii etc – I have come across few places that can match Toucan Ridge for sheer biodiversity that is really accessible – there is even a bus stop right there! To have rainforest pristine enough for jaguars, right next to stream and overgrown-orchard habitats, is truly exceptional. Bird netting there for just a few days in March… Read more

Dr.Tony DiamondPhDUniversity of New Brunswick

It’s hard to express how much gratitude I have with a simple “thank you”, but I guess it’ll have to do. This place is an oasis in an oasis and the things I’ve learned and experienced here will last forever. Oh yeah, the food’s great and Mat and Vanessa are the best.

ConnorHerpetology InternUniversity of Texas

Thank you for the amazing opportunity to stay at T.R.E.E.S with Save the Frogs. My daughter and I were not just luxuriously comfortable in the middle of the rainforest, but also well fed and amidst the frogs, bats, reptiles, birds, butterflies and an abundance of tropical foliage. Hopefully it will not be a one-time visit!

ChotiSave the Frogs Eco-Tour guest

Having travelled to the wilder parts of Costa Rica, Brazil, Peru and Bolivia, I can say that Toucan Ridge is a tremendous destination for biology or environmental studies courses – the mix of humid tall rainforest, mist-covered hills, jungle river, second growth and low intensity citrus fields provides an amazing richness in species, habitats, and teaching opportunities. During our course, we recorded about 60 species of birds, nine species of bat, various possum and rodents, as well as 3 larg… Read more

Dr. Graham ForbesPhDUniversity of New Brunswick

T.R.E.E.S is a beautiful piece of paradise. The cabins gave a lookout into the backyard jungle, and the center is open and welcoming. There were so many things to see and do! Also the food is amazing!

BaileyBiology StudentUniversity of New Brunswick

T.R.E.E.S. is without a doubt one of the best places you can stay in Belize! Mat and Vanessa are awesome, and the rest of their staff is very helpful. They are always willing to help you with whatever you need, even if it’s setting up tours with other tour groups. The grounds are amazing. If you’re looking to stay in a rainforest with some great people, T.R.E.E.. is the place for you. Also, the food is amazing!

BeckyStudentUniversity of Florida.

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