Mexico Research Expedition with Shasta College

Grace Parker Start Date: Jan 29, 2020 - End Date: Jul 28, 2020
  • Yucatan, Mexico

My Travel Story

by: Grace Parker Start Date: Jan 29, 2020 - End Date: Jul 28, 2020

This semester, I signed up for a conservation research program with Shasta College, in cooperation with Operation Wallacea. We will be traveling to the Yucatan Peninsula in southeastern Mexico for 2 weeks. We will be researching the impact of tourism on native sea turtle populations, analyzing the forest structure while estimating forest carbon stores, and searching for new and rare species. We will also have the opportunity to become scuba certified and explore the coral reefs, as well as exploring Mayan ruins and interacting with Mayan communities. Our group will be exploring the Selva Maya jungle which is one of the world's most important ecosystems and is home to many endangered animals, such as the scarlet macaw, jaguar, and tapir.

I'm extremely excited about this trip because it is an opportunity to help actual conservation researchers in their scientific endeavors. I will be taking science classes that go along with the trip and getting credits that go towards my education. The trip itself is July 24 - August 9 of this year. However, I owe part of the expense by March 6. This amount covers my flight, food, and lodging. I signed up later than many others, as this is my first semester taking classes on campus and I had to jump at the opportunity within my first week in order to get a spot. I would genuinely appreciate any help I can get covering the cost. Wildlife conservation is something I'm very passionate about, and being a part of this trip means a lot to me.
  • Yucatan, Mexico