Education and Tourism

Education

BFREE Field Courses are geared toward high school and college students and may be tailored to incorporate visits to our partner locations including the Tropical Education Center adjacent to the Belize Zoo, Nuuk Cheil Cottages in Maya Center and/or a visit to ancient Mayan ruins, national parks, the barrier reef, islands, and coastal beaches. Students take part in hands-on investigations of Belize’s diverse tropical ecosystems.

BFREE field courses create opportunities for students to become familiar with the scientific investigation of flora and fauna, while also learning about tropical riparian systems, protected areas management, and the manner in which humans interact with these ecosystems.

Field Courses

Field Courses are instructor-led, however, BFREE provides ample support in building your unique itinerary and curriculum as well as providing guided tours, lectures, and various cultural immersion experiences and educational learning opportunities. BFREE Field Courses can be all-inclusive from touch-down to take-off and a BFREE tour guide is assigned to each group to assist with travel logistics and other needs. We also offer destination only programs to allow instructors to create their own itineraries outside of BFREE.

BFREE Field Course Audience: High School and Undergraduate Students

Course Themes: Environmental Science, Sustainable Development, Agriculture and Food Systems, Cultural Immersion, Biodiversity Conservation

Optimal Group Size: 8 – 24 students, 1-4 instructors

Average Course Length: 7-14 days

Average Course Costs: Program costs range greatly depending on each unique itinerary and group size. Costs typically range between $160 – $220 per night.

Professor Review

Professor Preview is an introduction to BFREE Field Courses for instructors interested in bringing student groups to the small country of Belize. If you have not visited BFREE before and would like to bring a field course, a Professor Preview is a great opportunity to understand the incredible learning opportunities first hand. During this guided preview, participants will be exposed to a sampling of activities that may occur during a field course, meet many of the staff who will implement the course, and visit partner locations.

The recommended timeline is 5 days/6 nights and the all-inclusive costs are $800. The itinerary includes an overnight at the Tropical Education Center adjacent to the Belize Zoo, three nights at the BFREE Field Station, and a final evening in the coastal village of Placencia. All lodging, meals, guided tours, and transportation including an in-country flight from Placencia to Belize International are included. Contact to find out availability and additional information.

BFREE Science and Education Fellow 2022

The BFREE Science and Education Fellowship Program is a two-year commitment which offers training and research opportunities to recent graduates of Universities and Junior Colleges in Belize. Candidates must have completed a degree at the Junior College or University level, have a strong interest in the conservation of Belize’s natural resources, be committed to a strict work program in a remote rainforest environment, and have strong references from their academic advisors. This is a full-time position (Monday – Friday, some weekend work is required). Fellows receive room and board and a monthly salary.

Apply: Application currently closed

Eco-Tours

AVAILABLE ECO TOURS

We invite you to visit BFREE for a one-of-a-kind experience deep in the rainforest of Belize. We offer eco-tour packages designed to accommodate individuals to large groups and families or professionals. Eco-Tours are offered during the dryer period of the year from December to June. A minimum stay of two nights is required for all eco-tours. Accommodations include six private rooms in The Hammock, each sleeping 3-6 individuals, and three private cabins that can keep 3-4 individuals.

Cacao at Origin

Join Jacob Marlin, BFREE Executive Director to experience firsthand how forest friendly, 100% pure, wild criollo cacao is conserving tropical rainforest and wildlife. This incredible experience shows first-hand what could be the original chocolate tree, 100% pure “Criollo” parentage, grown and revered by the ancient Mayan Civilizations, and one of the few pure wild cacaos known to exist on the planet. In 2016, the beans from these trees discovered at BFREE were given the designation of “heirloom fine flavor” by the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund (HCP). Learn about the fine-flavor cacao industry as well as cacao production in Belize. Experience the various stages of chocolate making from the farm to finished chocolate bar. The perfect vacation for any chocolate lover!

Birding

Have you ever seen a Scarlet Macaw? A Montezuma’s Oropendola? A Lesson’s Motmot? Spend a day birding in various habitats at one of the most acclaimed birding sites in Belize. With over 350 species of migrant and resident birds, the BFREE Biological Field Station and Privately Protected Area is a great place to see rare tropical species. Situated in the foothills of the Maya Mountains, BFREE is teeming with exotic plants and wildlife. Over 80 species of migratory birds, and hundreds of resident species can be found here. Start the day off above the forest canopy at our 112-foot observation tower, if you’re lucky you might even spot a Harpy Eagle by the mid-afternoon! BFREE is the only privately owned location to see Harpy eagles in the wild north of Panama!

BFREE BIRD LIST

Rainforest Immersion

Spend a day on a guided hike deep into the rainforests of the BFREE Privately Protected Area. Situated in the foothills of the Maya Mountains, BFREE lies at the gateway to the Bladen Nature Reserve, one of the last truly wild and unspoiled rainforests left on earth! Guided by a local expert, look for Howler and Spider Monkeys, elusive jungle cats like Jaguars and Margays, listen for some of the 350 species of birds that are present here, and perhaps even spot a Tapir or Harpy Eagle! Learn about the natural history of the area from your local guide and when you get too hot from all that walking – take a refreshing swim in the pristine crystal clear Bladen River!

Be Free in the Jungle

This tour is ideal for families or individuals looking for equal parts adventure and relaxation. Take part in the many various day-to-day activities at the Field Station from making tortillas, exploring the expansive trail system, learning about our hicatee conservation and research center or how chocolate is made from bean to bar. When you need a break from all the activity, grab a book and curl up in one of the many hammocks and enjoy the breeze and sounds of the jungle. Or cool off in the crystal clear waters of the Bladen River for an afternoon swim. If you are looking to unwind and relax while participating in a few guided activities this is the eco-tour for you!

Volunteer

VOLUNTEER AT BFREE

BFREE offers extraordinary opportunities to learn how a biological research station runs while gaining extensive experience in field methods as a Volunteer Field Assistant. Opportunities are for all ages (18+) and last 2-4 weeks on average. Hundreds of interns and long-term volunteers have stayed at our tropical field station since its inception. These volunteers have benefited from the unique experience of living and working in the rainforest and have made tremendous contributions to our wildlands conservation programs, environmental research, and education efforts, as well as to the development of our sustainable facilities.

2022 Volunteer Opportunities

BFREE is now accepting volunteers to work with the Cacao Agroforestry Team to preserve and propagate a rare and wild ancient heirloom fine flavor cacao.

Volunteers will be assigned various roles to support the team depending on the time of the year and the most significant needs.

Assignments may include:

Farming
Data collection in the field
Data entry on a computer
Documenting, including photography and blog writing

In addition to working with the cacao agroforestry team, volunteers will be assigned a schedule to assist with general day-to-day needs around the field station, such as helping with meal preparation and clean-up, trail maintenance, and administrative tasks. Duties may change as determined by current needs at the time of your assignment.

Learning Objectives May Include:

Gain experience with collecting data in the field
Develop observation and record-keeping skills
Engage in many aspects of cacao agroforestry
Engage problem-solving skills by working and living in a remote rainforest environment
Create communication materials
Participate in the implementation of conservation strategies in tropical environments
Learn techniques relevant to protected areas management

Requirements

Volunteers should be committed to BFREE’s mission and have a passion for environmental education and conservation. One should have a positive and flexible attitude, desire to learn and work hard, willingness to adapt to a changing work environment, and be comfortable living in remote and rustic living conditions in a tropical environment. All volunteers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and complete a physician-signed health form of good health.

Volunteer work hours typically follow the regular field station work schedule of 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM with a scheduled lunch hour and breaks. Weekends are free, with some scheduled activities available.

Costs

BFREE Field Assistants are volunteer positions. Field Assistants pay for their international airfare and travel costs from the airport to the BFREE Field Station.

A small daily project fee covers lodging, meals, administration, trainings, and 4×4 transport from the Southern Highway to the BFREE Field Station along our 6-mile private entrance road.

Volunteers staying less than two weeks are required to pay for the 4×4 transport from the Southern Highway to the BFREE Field Station at a rate of $75/each way.

Many past students have received funding and/or credit from their host institution to participate. Payment is due 30 days in advance of arrival.

Participation Rate
$55 USD
Per Day
Wi-Fi ACCESS
$25 USD
One-Time Fee
Visa Extension
$100 USD
For stays 30+ days

Apply:

To apply for a volunteer opportunity at BFREE, please complete the Volunteer Application Form by clicking the button box to the right. Email the completed form along with your resume to BFREE Program Manager, Tyler Sanville at tsanville@bfreebz.org.

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION