2025 Long-term Turtle Survey in the Jungle
July 6 – 16, 2025
Join the Belize Foundation for Research & Environmental Education (BFREE) and the Turtle Survival Alliance’s Volunteer Science Program to participate in a long-term population monitoring project for freshwater and terrestrial turtle species located within BFREE’s Privately Protected Area in southern Belize. The BFREE Privately Protected Area is a 1,153-acre reserve that adjoins the largest tract of rainforest north of the Amazon. It’s an incredible hotspot for biodiversity where tapirs, howler monkeys, jaguars, and harpy eagles are often spotted and is the last stronghold for many endangered species.
Participants will be supporting researchers in the fifth annual survey of a 10-year long-term monitoring project to provide basic demographic and population information. Turtles will be captured using various methods, including hand capture and baited traps, and will be given unique identification marks and injected with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags for future identification. You’ll be joined by herpetologists and experts in the field from both the US and Belize. From 2021-2024 the BFREE and TSA-Volunteer Science Team marked, measured and safely released over 1,000 turtles. Turtles found included White-lipped Mud Turtle, Tabasco Mud Turtle, Scorpion Mud turtle, Narrow-bridged Musk Turtle, Mexican Giant Musk Turtle, Central American Snapping Turtle, Furrowed Wood Turtle, and the Meso-American Slider. These species represent eight of Belize’s nine known freshwater turtles.
We look forward to you joining us in Belize for the July 2025 BFREE and TSA-Volunteer Science Team Turtle Survey in the jungle!
DATES
July 6-16, 2025 – OPEN
Spaces are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Deposits will be accepted beginning November 15, 2024.
REQUIREMENTS
- Able to hike between 5 and 10 miles a day in 90-degree weather with 100% humidity.
- Able to lift and carry 40 lbs. for periods of time.
- Willingness to get dirty and to put long days in.
CONTACT
Questions, please contact Eric Munscher, Director of the Turtle Survival Alliance’s – North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group (TSA-Volunteer Science Program) at
or Bridget Nelson, BFREE Office Administrator at bnelson@bfreebz.org
ITINERARY
- Day One: Arrive at the Belize international airport (BZE) by 1:30 PM to meet ground transportation and travel by bus to BFREE. Hike in to field station. Settle into rooms and unpack before dinner.
- Day Two: Tour the BFREE Facility and familiarize yourself with the various trails and facilities. Free time to relax and swim in the crystal-clear water of the Bladen River or explore one of BFREE’s many conservation initiatives, including the Hicatee Conservation & Research Center (HCRC), a captive breeding facility for the critically endangered Central American River Turtle, Dermatemys mawii, locally known in Belize as the Hicatee.
- Day Three – Nine: Turtle surveys throughout BFREE’s 1,153-acre private reserve. Turtle surveys will primarily take place on the ground. There will be one or two days of river surveys but most data is collected on land.
- Day Ten – Breakfast. Hike out from field station, transportation to Hokey Pokey water taxi. Stay at Sea Spray in Placencia. Dinner on your own.
- Day Eleven: Ground transportation from Placencia to Belize International Airport.
COSTS
The cost is $1,800 per participant, plus 3.5% processing if credit card is used.
Cost Includes:
- Double occupancy in BFREE’s newest accommodation, the Hammock, which features an open-air veranda connecting six private rooms. Linens, pillows, and blankets provided.
- Three chef-prepared meals per day.
- Guided night hikes and tours of BFREE’s conservation programs
- Transportation from the international airport to the BFREE entrance road.
- Ground and water taxi transportation to Sea Spray hotel in Placencia with one night stay included.
- Fees paid to this program not only support your participation in critical turtle research for Belize but also have a direct impact on the country’s next generation of conservation leaders. Funding from this TSA Volunteer Science Program-BFREE research program helps to support Belizean participation in scientific research at BFREE.
REGISTER
Space is limited for this incredible opportunity; make your deposit today to secure your spot. Deposits are due by April 1, 2025. The final payment is due by June 7th, 2025. To register for this program, read the Booking Terms and Conditions on the next page.
BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Participants must agree to all terms and conditions of booking before registering for this program. This program is coordinated by the Belize Foundation for Research & Environmental Education (BFREE).
Covered Costs.
Participation in the 2025 Turtle Survey at BFREE is $1,800 per person. These covered costs per person include accommodations, meals (while at BFREE), guided tours of BFREE, round-trip ground transportation from Belize International Airport and ground transportation to Placencia. Program Fees Do Not include the following: international airfare to BZE, meals in Placencia, soft drinks and beers, or travel insurance, gratuities/souvenirs – at your discretion.
Deposit and Final Payment.
A $500 USD Non-Refundable initial deposit will secure your spot on the trip, or you may choose to pay in full. The remaining balance is due 30-days before the retreat start date. Failure to make payment by the applicable due date may forfeit your booking on the trip and be treated as a cancellation. If a booking is made less than 30-days before the trip start date, the full amount must be paid at the time of booking.
Payment Schedule.
The $500 deposit is due for all participants by April 1, 2025. Final payment for participants is due by June 7, 2025. Payments made with credit card should be made here. Payments may also be made by check and mailed to: US for BFREE/ 3520 NW 43rd Street/ Gainesville, FL, 32606.
Cancellations.
Cancellations made by participants should include a formal refund request sent by email to reservations@bfreebz.org. According to the outline below, approved refunds by BFREE will be returned to the participant.
- Refund requests more than 60-days before the program start date will receive a full refund minus the $500 deposit.
- Refund requests more than 30-days before the program start date will receive a 50% refund minus the $500 deposit.
- Refund requests less than 30-days before the program start date are non-refundable.
- Cancellations 30-days or less to the program start date due to events directly relating to international travel restrictions and border closings, will receive a 50% refund minus the deposit.
BFREE is not liable for additional costs incurred due to cancellation, including flights, lodgings, activities, meals, etc. BFREE strongly recommends that all participants purchase travel insurance (medical, pandemic coverage, and trip cancellation) to protect you in case of any unforeseen emergencies. BFREE shall, in its sole discretion, have the right, upon written notice to the participant and without further liability, to terminate a program. Participants will be refunded following the Cancellation policy outlined above. BFREE is not liable for any loss or damage suffered by you, including but not limited to the loss of the Deposit and/or Full Payment, as a result of a Force Majeure Event and/or the cancellation of a Program due to a Force Majeure Event.
Travel to BFREE.
International flights should arrive at the Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) no later than 1:30 PM on the first day of the program. On the program’s final day, international departure flights should not depart BZE before 1:00pm.
Info Session.
Turtle Survival Alliance and Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education will host an informational virtual meeting in 2025 for all
confirmed Participants prior to survey. Meeting Date: TBA
Associated Publications.
Publications that have been produced as a result from this survey.
Skibsted, M., McAvinchey, C., Walde, A., Marlin, J., Pop, T. Weber, A. and Munscher, E. 2023. CHELYDRA ROSSIGNONII (Central American Snapping Turtle), KINOSTERNON ACUTUM (Tabasco Mud Turtle), K. LEUCOSTOMUM LEUCOSTOMUM (Northern White-lipped Mud Turtle), and TRACHEMYS VENUSTA VENUSTA (MesoAmerican Slider). Hatchling Behavior.. Herpetological Review 54(2): 279-281.
Munscher, E., Serano, J., Tuggle, A., Weber, A., McAvinchey, C., Dubon, J., Pop, T., Hauge, J.B., Barrett, H., Marlin, J., Butterfield, B.P., Stein, J., and Walde, A.D. 2023. Quantifying freshwater and terrestrial turtle species diversity, richness, and abundance at a site in southern Belize. Neotropical Naturalist 4(7):1-16.
Munscher, E.C., T. Pop, L. Pearson, H. Barrett, G. Knauss, J. Marlin, C. McAvinchey, M. Morrison, J. Pignatelli, J. Stein, A. Tuggle, and A. Walde. 2022. First verified observation of the narrow-bridged musk turtle Claudius angustatus Cope, 1865 from the Toldeo District of southern Belize. Herpetology Notes 15:735-740.
