UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — What do chocolate, tapirs, howler monkeys, jaguars, and harpy eagles have in common? They can all be spotted at the field station of the Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education (BFREE) in Belize, which is connected to the largest continuous expanse of tropical forest north of the Amazon.

Over spring break, a group of 14 Penn State faculty visited the BFREE to explore opportunities to develop long-term collaborative research, education and outreach projects. The multidisciplinary group included faculty from the College of Agricultural Sciences, Eberly College of Science, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, and School of International Affairs.

The group was sponsored by the Cacao and Chocolate Research Network and the Hershey Co., Ag Sciences Global and Penn State Global, and BFREE. The trip was organized by Siela Maximova, research professor of plant biotechnology and director for Latin America and the Caribbean for Penn State Global; and Mark Guiltinan, professor of plant molecular biology and director of the program of the Molecular Biology of Cacao; accompanied by Sabine Klahr, associate vice provost for Global, who oversees global partnership development for Penn State.

The BFREE biological field station adjoins a network of protected areas covering almost two million acres of continuous tropical forest which encompasses a wide array of undisturbed and globally threatened habitats and healthy populations of endangered species of wildlife. These protected areas make up a biological corridor from the Maya mountains to the Caribbean Sea and impact the health of the worlds’ second largest barrier reef just a few miles offshore. BFREE’s primary mission is to conserve the biodiversity and cultural heritage of Belize.

“Our idea was to bring our Penn State colleagues to BFREE and provide them with the opportunity to experience and to explore firsthand the Belize rainforest and its incredible biodiversity. By applying an integrated-multidisciplinary approach, we can develop cacao agroforestry systems for Belize and Central America that will support sustainable development while conserving the rainforest,” said Guiltinan.

The group visited the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center, a sanctuary for native wildlife in distress that were rescued and brought to the Zoo, and no longer able to survive in the wild. From there, the journey continued south to BFREE, located on its 1153-acre private protected area, where the participants explored the diverse forest and aquatic habitats and cacao agroforestry systems. The trip ended on the coast, exploring environmental impacts along the Monkey River and its flow into the Caribbean Sea, agriculture, and coastal development.

Facilities at BFREE include housing for faculty and students, a small research laboratory, a conference room and library, a chocolate-making facility, kitchen and dining rooms, an observation tower and many other buildings. While at BFREE, the group explored the alignment of BFREE goals with the research interests of faculty, as well as opportunities to develop education abroad, graduate student research, and other activities. Discussions also included potential opportunities for Belizean students, fellows and staff to visit Penn State and take part of educational, research and professional development programs. The overarching goal is to develop long-term, mutually beneficial BFREE-Penn State partnerships that will achieve common goals.

“Establishing a long-term relationship with an organization in the tropics that is committed to promoting and conducting science, education and the conservation of biodiversity would benefit the Penn State science and education community in multiple ways. Researchers and educators will be able to accomplish much more having a reliable partner that could provide facilities, support, and local knowledge,” said Maximova.

BFREE is actively engaged in a variety of projects, including biodiversity conservation; sustainable cacao agroforestry (such as wild cacao); a breeding and a conservation program for the critically endangered Central American River Turtle; as well as environmental education, awareness and advocacy. The organization is also active in local community development. BFREE’s vision is to conserve and restore the tropical ecosystems of Belize with strategic partnerships through activities and programs that integrate scientific research, environmental education, outreach, advocacy and conservation programs that improve the well-being of people and the planet.

Jacob Marlin, Executive Director of BFREE, said: “BFREE hopes to become Penn State's primary tropical field site with a sustainable long-term mutually beneficial partnership to advance research, education, and the conservation of Belize tropical ecosystems." 

Outcomes of the week-long discussions include a list of potential multidisciplinary research, education, and outreach topics of mutual interest to Penn State and BFREE.

“There are phenomenal opportunities for faculty, students, and staff from a wide range of disciplines to engage with BFREE and their partners in Belize,” said Klahr. “I anticipate BFREE becoming Penn State’s primary field station in the Caribbean and Penn State serving as the primary research, education, and outreach partner for BFREE.” Immediate follow up activities will include developing a formal agreement between Penn State and BFREE, establishing faculty affinity group for this partnership that will meet regularly to discuss progress, and launching a seed grant program. Faculty from all disciplines are encouraged to engage.

Penn State faculty also included:

• Eric Burkhart, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Institutes of Energy and the Environment
• Tomás A. Carlo Joglar, Department of Biology, Center for Parasitic and Carnivorous Plants
• Jill Hamilton, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Ecosystem Landscape Ecology
• Helene Hopfer, Department of Food Sciences, Center for Chemical Ecology
• Armen Kemanian, Department of Plant Sciences, Ecology Institute
• Laura Leites, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Ecology Institute
• Erica Machtinger, Department of Entomology, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Ecology Institute, Center for Chemical Ecology
• Elizabeth Ransom, School of International Affairs
• Jon N. Sweetman, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Insect Biodiversity Center, Ecology, and IEE, SAFES
• John Tooker, Department of Entomology, Ecology Institute, Center for Pollinator Research, Insect Biodiversity Center, Center for Chemical Ecology; and
• Greg Ziegler, Food Sciences, Ecology Institute

For more information or to get involved, contact Siela Maximova at snm104@psu.edu or Sabine Klahr at sck5409@psu.edu