Available Placements Ecotourism Conservation Humanitarian Teaching ResearchOrganic Farms

The Lodge

Placement number: 0017
Location: Central America
Preferred Languages:  English or Spanish 
Date: All Year
Minimum Period: 1 month  (Max 3 months)

The Lodge is a 24 unit upscale EcoLodge and Spa located within a 345 acre private nature reserve on the banks of the Macal River in western Belize, Central America.

We conduct tours to all of the ancient Maya sites and natural attractions in Belize. Horseback riding, mountain biking, canoeing, birding and interpretive naturalist hikes are all conducted within our nature reserve.

The Natural History Centre houses natural history, flora and fauna, cultural, archaeology and geology exhibits. The Centre is a one-of-a-kind in Belize and facilitates the environmental education of both local and international students. The Centre also houses the Butterfly Farm where we propagate the tropical species Morpho peleides (Blue Morpho) both for local display and export to international exhibitors.

Our Rainforest Medicine Trail showcases the many medicinal plants that are native to our area. The Lodge facilitates several on-going conservation projects. There is a six year study of neo-tropical migratory birds, development of an environmental education curriculum for the local schools, a howler monkey relocation project, reforestation, agroforestry research, botanical research, watershed management, a traditional organic Maya farm and a Maya archaeology project (over 70 ancient Maya sites have been located within the reserve).

Role of Volunteer

We accept interns within the following areas:

• Tourism and Hospitality Management
• Recreation and Leisure Studies
• All natural sciences: biology, entomology, botany, hydrology, geology, agronomy, ecology, etc.
• Archaeology and anthropology

All student interns are required to submit a specific internship proposal within their field of study or interest. This proposal should outline the elements of the tourism industry or environmental science studies in which they wish to gain experience. The proposal should have stand alone value for the student and reciprocal value for The Lodge.

One thing I must emphasize is that we expect all student interns to be serious about their projects and work diligently to accomplish their projected goals. I am not saying that a little fun is out of line. To the contrary, The Lodge and Belize are just the ticket for as much adventure and good times as anyone might desire.

Cost

Our internship program fees are currently $100.00 U.S. per student per week. This fee provides for supervisory assistance, on-site cottage accommodations, three meals per day, use of laundry and other facilities, use of a computer station, 24 hour internet access and unlimited access to the Natural History Centre, Nature Reserve, Butterfly Farm and Rainforest Medicine Trail.

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