CAC Belize Flyways

This branch of CAC offers an opportunity to study nature at the front lines of conservation, and to give back by promoting the preservation of wildlife in our own community. If this sounds as good to you as it does to us, then try out for a position on this year’s CAC team!

FIELD STUDIES

During the Canisius Easter Break (March 27-April 7), CAC will explore three different nature preserves in the Central American nation of Belize. Our studies will concentrate migratory species of birds, but will also include numerous other aspects of tropical rainforest ecology.  

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Following our studies in Central America, the CAC team will return to the Western New York region, where we will teach middle school children lesson pertaining to North American bird migration and the importance of the tropics in that process.

Program rehearsal: Over four Sundays in April, the CAC team will rehearse scripts and prepare our program.

Program Delivery: For five days per week during the period May 13-June 14, 2013, the CAC team will host groups of middle school children at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (INWR). Our CAC program at INWR will consists of three parts:

• Power Birding along an elevated boardwalk in the wetlands. This combines opportunistic bird watching with scripted lessons about wetlands ecology.
• Picnic Lunch in which our CAC college students serve as role models for the middle schoolers.
• Ecology Games in which the students show their mastery over the lessons learned. These are fun interactive games that lights up with smiling faces and excitement.

ACADEMIC CREDIT IN FALL 13

The CAC-Belize Flyway students will receive 3 academic credits (enrolled as ABEC490) in Fall 13.

COSTS

All travel and training expenses (including food) will be paid for by the CAC program.

Each participant will receive $500 following their five weeks of service at INWR.

ELIGIBILITY

All Canisius students are encouraged to apply. 

This program is open to students from all academic years and from all academic majors.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The application process involves the following three stages:

1. Written applications involve the completion of short essays. The application form can be assessed online by clicking here. These written applications are due no later than February 1, 2013.
2. Live tryouts will take place during the first week of February.  All applicants will participate in the live tryout phase.  This will consist of delivering brief presentations, targeted toward children, that convey lessons about wildlife and conservation.
3. CAC-Belize Flyways award announcements will be February 11, 2013.

AWARDS

Six students will be selected for this CAC project.