Learn a bit more about Utila’s natural history or get involved in the conservation, education, or scientific studies relating to the marine and terrestrial life of Utila! Here are some groups to get you started:
~Bay Islands Conservation Association (BICA)
~Iguana Research and Breeding Station
~Utila Center For Marine Ecology (UCME)
~Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Centre (WSORC)
~Additional Groups
Bay Islands Conservation Association (BICA)
Contacts:
Honduras Telephones: (504) 425 3260 or (504) 3341 3417
Email: bicautila@yahoo.com
Web: http://www.bicautila.org
The Bay Islands Conservation Association (BICA) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 1991 by the people living in the Bay Islands in order
to initiate and coordinate efforts in protecting the Islands’ fragile natural resources. Since its formation, BICA Utila has been instrumental in initiating many
conservation projects: management of the Turtle Harbour Wildlife Refuge and Marine Reserve; protection of sea turtles; protection of coral reefs through installation of buoys; first garbage collection on the island; beach cleaning; environmental education in local schools; developing codes of conduct for divers; monitoring whale sharks, etc.
In its long and eventful history, BICA Utila has worked with many local and international organizations on the protection of the island’s resources, particularly the reefs, and helped many visiting students and researchers with their work. But, BICA’s main job is, and has always been, to work with the local community to protect their small piece of paradise so that future generations will be able to enjoy it and make a living from its resources.
BICA Volunteer and Intern Opportunities Available! (Research Assistants and Environmental Education)
Iguana Research and Breeding Station
Contacts:
Jimena Castillo, Director
Honduras Telephone: (504) 425 3946
Email: station@utila-iguana.de
Web: http://www.utila-iguana.de/ or http://www.utila-iguana.de/en_frame_volo.html
The Iguana Research and Breeding Station (IRBS), a short walk away from Utila Town’s main road, plays a crucial role in the conservation of the endemic island’s iguana species Ctenosaura bakeri, called ‘Swamper’ or Wishiwilli’.
The IRBS efforts are focused upon understanding the natural history of the Swamper with different scientific research. A breeding program supports the population in the mangroves; more than 2,000 hatchlings were already breaded and released. The IRBS also have an environmental education program in the schools of Utila and support a sustainable development and tourism.
Much of the work in Utila is undertaken by volunteers from all over the world who have joined the Volunteers Program. Visitors to the station are given a full tour explaining the habits of this endangered species, as well as getting an overview of general Utilian wildlife. You will have opportunity to see the Swamper in different ages as well as the Highlander Iguana and the Green Iguana.
In 2007, the IRBS started a systemic and planed change seeking for autonomy, many strategies were adopted in this
evolutionary phase, and the results now allows the IRBS to become a project of a Non Governmental Organization legally recognized by the Honduran Government as the Fundación Islas de la Bahía (FIB), a private non-profit organization, with no political ties and which is regulated by Honduran law. The most important function of the FIB is to contribute with the national efforts of Honduras in order to achieve the human sustainable development.
Utila Center For Marine Ecology (UCME)
Contacts:
Andrzej Narojanski, Volunteer coordinator
Honduras Telephone: (504) 425 3026 or (504) 3216-2559
Email: Andrzej@utilaecology.org or info@utilaecology.org
United Kingdom phone: (44) 845 4767 384
or VHF Channel 82
Web: http://www.utilaecology.org/
UCME is a Honduran registered non-governmental organisation that bridges the gap between applied scientific research and community based conservation.
Partnering with national and international Universities and regional Institutions, UCME conducts and supports progressive research to further our understanding of marine and island ecosystems and the biodiversity they support.
UCME also offers a 3-4 week volunteer programme which includes participating in training scedule for the first week, and then participants work side by side with researchers and conservation specialists assisting in a range of projects investigating the dynamics of coral reefs and reef fisheries, monitoring the population and behaviour of whale sharks and cetaceans and assessing mangrove, seagrass and other tropical island habitats.
Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Centre (WSORC)
Contacts:
Honduras Telephone: (504) 425 3760
Emails: info@wsorc.com
Web: http://www.wsorc.com
The Whale Shark & Oceanic Research Center (WSORC) operates one of the few, year-round whale shark monitoring and research centers in the world.
Our devoted staff of scientists and volunteers works tirelessly at maintaining and restoring the aquatic environment of Honduras, while continuing the standards of ethical research which have made WSORC the authority on Utila’s whale shark population and coral reef ecosystem for the past 10 years.
At the same time, WSORC is sworn to preserve Utila’s aquatic natural resources through education by increasing the public’s awareness of a marine ecosystem that is one of Central America’s natural wonders. Our mission is to facilitate the scientific community’s research within Honduran waters while educating the eco-tourist and locals alike.
Additional Groups
EcoOceans / Utila Whale Shark Reseach Project
Environmental Management of the Bay Islands Project (PMAIB)
