Collecting Stream Organisms
In the morning today we collected data for an ongoing stream monitoring project. We collected little organisms from the stream and identified these organisms. Most of these are insect larva that will become damselflies, mayflies, dragonflies.
That rock was heavy!
The presence or absence of certain organisms indicate pollution levels. We also collected snails. We learned that snails can be “right-handed”or “left-handed”: their shells can curve to the right or left. Right handed snails are less tolerant of pollution. Good news! We did not find any left handed snails.
Collecting stream organisms
Identifying Stream Organisms Under the Microscope
Analyzing water samples
In the atfernoon today we visited the Cave Branch Orchid Rescue and learned about orchid conservation. The orchids there were beautiful. Afterwards we went to a citrus orchard and found wild orchids. We removed a few of the wild orchids growing there and transported them to a new, safer location within the Sleeping Giant Rain Forest Resort. All of the new rescued orchids were placed on one tree and will be marked with our names on them and the date they were rescued.
Ochids Collected for Rescue
After returning from the Orchid Rescue project, we had the privilege to complete our oral history interviews with Carlos our guide and Rose, our hostess. This was a great experience and we learned a lot about the Belizean customs and the history of these individuals. What a pleasure to exchange information about our different cultures. We are learning to appreciate each other’s unique qualities, which is so important in today’s society.
Katy with Master Gardener Chan
Peace and love to all of you, from Belize, Kimberly and Kara.
Kara's Orchid
Orchid