February 2009 Journal #1    Page 1

What is the best way to learn about mangrove forests, Mayan history, and water access in the Yucatan? Jump right in! (Wearing a life jacket as a diaper; of course!) It’s been only two weeks since we left the frigid, snow-strewn lands of the United States and arrived in sunny, and extremely hot, Mérida, Mexico, yet it seems that we have experienced so much already.

For example, I alluded above to a class trip to Sian Ka’an (Mayan for “Gateway to Heaven”) Biosphere Reserve. After walking through the forest, we took a boat ride through a lagoon and into a man-made canal created by the Mayans thousands of years ago. Before we knew it, we were strapped into life jackets and floating through the water. Nothing could compare to that experience. Sure, we had talked about mangrove habitats with Dr. Ziemba, but to actually be in the water, surrounded by roots, while Dr. Ziemba and our guide, Miguel, pointed out various types of flora and fauna offered us an entirely new perspective.

This trip, as well as other visits to biosphere reserves, is something that has never been done before on a Centre-in-Mexico trip. This spring, thanks to conservation biologist and Centre professor Dr. Rob Ziemba, students traveling to Mexico are able to experience biological and ecological aspects of the Yucatan in addition to cultural and historical ones.



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