Conservation Research Assistant Program in Honduras

I spent 4 weeks in honduras and it was truly an experience I'll never forget. The first two weeks I was in the jungle where we took surveys for many different species ranging from insects to herptofauna and birds. We recorded a range of data once the animals was located such as sex, size, species and other notable comments. Being in the jungle really brought me close to the people I was around and really helped me grow socially.

The final 2 weeks were spent on the island of Utila were we took part in the marine ecology course and learnt about the ecosystems and factors affecting it. Then we took to the water to record data on species behaviour, abundance and much more. As well as that we carried out benthic surveys mapping out the ocean floor and seeing how coral and topography is being affected.

Overall this was a trip I'll always remember as I met some remarkable people and learnt amazing things. I highly recommend this trip. Even though the price is high its worth it for the in field and life experience!

I gained significant ecological surveying experience during a course at Utila (Honduras). Where I worked as a research assistant for Operation Wallacea, and trained over a 6 week period in Caribbean reef ecology and surveying techniques. I also assisted a research team into tropical ecosystem ecology, conducting linear transects to survey bivalve and arthropod diversity within fallen mangrove material. I then helped investigate sea sponge diversity and distribution using fixed linear transects and quadrat sampling to survey reef systems. I concluded my trip by carrying out controlled culls and dissections of lionfish. By participating in various research roles I also became proficient in multiple sampling and analysis techniques, whilst integrating and performing effectively within a variety of research teams.

Coral view on the island of Utila is truly heaven on Earth. This was the best money i could have spent after finishing my Bachelor of Science to not only gain essential hands on experience in the conservation biology field, but also make important contacts for future endeavors. The staff are always smiling and helpful and if you cant find what your looking for, its just a short walk into town for almost anything you could want. The health of the reefs are fairly good, considering all of the ocean problems, with an abundance of sea life to be seen on every dive.

Terrestrial Experience:
If you're interested in ecology or any kind of organismal or environmental biology - this is the experience for you. Each day you can choose to help out one (or several) of 7 teams: Birds, Amphibians/Reptiles, Small Mammals, Big Mammals, Habitat, Invertebrates, or Bats with their data collection. You get to be incredibly hands on - sorting dung beetles by species, releasing birds from mist nests, catching and measuring endangered frogs. You hike through mind-blowing scenery every day, and at the end of the day, get to chill at camp where you hang out with an awesome group of scientists - discussing science but also playing cards, goofing off, and getting to know each other. Would 10/10 recommend to a friend!
You can go for 2 weeks to 2 months - it's incredibly flexible!

When I first arrived in Honduras, the streets lined with armed guards were just as I had imagined due to the news articles I had read prior to my trip. However, once I looked past this, I embraced the rich culture of Honduras and gained experiences like no other. When I ventured into the cloud forest I was immersed by this alien territory which was as beautiful every morning I woke up as the first time I saw it. The wide range of activities set out for us was often overwhelming and tiring but it ensured that the no 2 days were the same and each were as good as the last. When we left the cloudforest, we went to Roatan, a carribean island off the coast of Honduras. It was here that I learned to scuba dive - something that I have kept up and taken a huge interest in since returning from the trip. The location was breathtaking and inbetween dives you could easily go snorkelling on the mesoamerican coral reef as it is so large, it was on one of these snorkelling trips that I found 2 loggerhead turtles swimming with each other as well as seeing a barracuda and an octopus - a trully magical experience. My experience in Honduras has provided me with a burning desire to travel and explore.

A story not many have heard about or even experienced.
My very first minutes after I arrived at San Pedro Sula International Airport after a very long and exhausting flight from the other part of the world were full of enthusiasm as well as anxiety! Miles away from where I meant to be in less than 12 hours a place full of adventures and cool stuff, I was stuck at the very last stage of leaving the airport. The border control had some kind of an issue regarding my passport/nationality. So they had to do their routine check, of course, without providing me with any details on whatsoever. Therefore, I had to wait for more than 40 long minutes which were the longest forty minutes in my whole life! As I am sure most of us hate to wait, just imagine how nervous I was while being in this clueless position...
However, at the end everything was good. Obviously, I wasn't a criminal smuggling anything into their beautiful, lush country. But a young backpacker ready to enter the virgin cloud forest of Cusuco National Park as soon as possible.

P.S. Tip when travelling to a non-English speaking country is that you make sure you know at least the basic, essentials of the language of the country you are visiting.

I took 15 students with me and another member of staff to Honduras in summer 2015. I didn't organise the trip m colleague did - she commented on how straight forward it was and so I have taken on the task of organising a second trip to Indonesia in summer 2017.
As soon as we landed we were greeted by OpWall staff and from the word go we felt supported, safe and well looked after. The first week was mentally and physically challenging but we grew closer as a group as we helped each other trek through the Honduran rainforest. The second week was a well deserved break - the marine site was beautiful and we forgot we were on a school trip! The diving instructors were informative, helpful and great fun! It was a skill I never thought I would learn but I am so glad I have!
Overall a fantastic experience for both the staff and the students - roll on our next trip!

This trip was one of a lifetime for me and I will always remember it. I will always treasure the memories made, such as breathtaking hikes (literally, I was out of breath), beautiful sceneries of waterfalls, trees, and general nature nearly untouched by man, when I held deadly caterpillars (who knew?), and when we dove under the surface of the sea for hours. I loved the scuba diving so much; the creatures and scenes are so different than our normal ones, and I find water to be soothing.