Meeker

Slide show of MHS students in Belize, Aug. 11

Ten students from Meeker High School made the trip to Belize in June with science instructor Dr. Robert Dorsett. The students studied a variety of specific subjects during their trip, and they will present a free public slide show report of their trip on Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. at Meeker Public Library. All are welcome.
Ten students from Meeker High School made the trip to Belize in June with science instructor Dr. Robert Dorsett. The students studied a variety of specific subjects during their trip, and they will present a free public slide show report of their trip on Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. at Meeker Public Library. All are welcome.
MEEKER I In June, 10 Meeker High School students traveled to Belize with Ecology Project International (EPI), staying four days at a research station in the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Reserve and another four days at the Calabash Caye marine science field station operated by the University of Belize.

The group learned aspects of research into jaguar behavior, elements of the Mayan culture, the impact of invasive species on coral reefs and issues related to human impact on marine ecosystems.
Upon arrival, the group boarded a converted school bus for the trip to Cockscomb reserve. EPI instructors Jaen and Andria outlined the program and told stories about the people and sites along the way.
Cockscomb is the world’s only designated jaguar reserve, and the group hoped to catch a glimpse of the animal. International research teams have been monitoring jaguar and puma behavior in the reserve for 30 years, most recently using trail cameras to record cat location and movements.
The group learned to operate and place the cameras. And although no jaguar photos were taken, the group did find a fresh set of jaguar tracks. The group also reviewed photos and records from other research groups.
While in the reserve, the group also studied rainforest ecology and got up early in the mornings to watch the indigenous birds. The group endured the tropical heat on a couple hikes and cooled off swimming in pools under waterfalls. They stayed cool, also, tubing down the river near the field station under the forest canopy.
Jaen and Andria provided lots of fun games and activities in between expeditions.
One of the highlights in Cockscomb was a visit to Mayan Centre. The Mayan people, indigenous to the Cockscomb Basin, not only manage the reserve but also provide a cultural center exhibiting their traditional way of life.
Ernesto Saqui, the Mayan leader, showed off his family plantation filled with native fruit trees. His wife, Aurora, guided the group through the entire process for making corn tortillas, starting with a matate, grinding kernels straight from the cob. She also taught how to steam tamales wrapped in banana leaves. The group also ate cacao fruit and ground roasted cacao beans to make a traditional Mayan chocolate drink.
Departing the Cockscomb Reserve, Mr. Paul, the bus driver, returned us to Belize City, where the group boarded a launch across the broad coastal reef to Calabash Caye.
A third instructor, Alex, joined the group to help guide sorties in the ocean.
Shortly after arriving, we were fitted with snorkel gear and dove into the water. Right away the group found sea stars and myriad fish in the sea grass and sand just off the field station beach.
During the next three days, we spent lots of time in the water, learning to identify the various fish, corals and invertebrates in different marine environments. The group learned how to run underwater transects and helped collect data on reef health for ongoing research monitoring the impact of lion fish on the reef system.
The instructors speared a lion fish, which we later dissected.
One afternoon, the group snorkeled amidst the roots of a mangrove forest, which shelters small fry of a number of fish species. The group helped clean the beach near the field station and they were shocked at the amount of plastic trash. Unfortunately, as we have seen on other trips, our trash is piling up on beaches around the world and also collecting in floating islands mid-ocean.
As a final project at Calabash, the students divided into groups to conduct original research. Projects included a study of the relative abundance of fish at different times of day and a study tracing the geographic origin of beach trash. Another group studied natural materials available for beach golf and the final group studied acoustic monitoring for predator avoidance.
The group had great fun, made lots of new friends and learned about three of the world’s major ecosystems: rain forest, coral reef and mangrove forest. The students returned with lots of happy memories, and we hope to pass along more of our stories.
The group wants to thank the Freeman E. Fairfield Trust, the Meeker Regional Library District and the many individuals in the community who have provided such generous support.
The group plans a free public slide show at 7 p.m. on Aug. 11 at Meeker Public Library.

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  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
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  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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