The Need: 

Belize's Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System is an incredible hotspot of biodiversity. Comprised of atolls, sand cayes, mangrove forests, lagoons, and estuaries, it includes all the main reef and coastal habitats that provide homes for many of the reef’s endangered and threatened species.

Overfishing, coastal development, rising sea temperatures, pollution, and invasive species, pose major threats to the reef and the nearly 600 species of fish and coral that call it home.

While on course with EPI, students learn about these threats and put their knowledge into action by collecting data on reef health, eradicating invasive lionfish, and completing a beach cleanup service project.

Each field season, more than 500 EPI participants contribute 600 hours of lionfish research and 120 hours of beach cleanup. So far this season, students have helped remove 24 lionfish from Belize waters, preventing the spawning of as many as 48 million eggs! Taking part in this incredible out-of-classroom learning experience can change students' lives.

With your help, we can give more students this life changing experience! 

You have the power to help.

Will you help give even more students the opportunity to get outside, have fun, and make a difference for Belizean reefs with a donation to the Protect Belizean Reefs fundraiser?

EPI is a nonprofit.

That means we rely on the generosity of our donors, including students, parents, and other supporters, to help make EPI's field science courses possible for local Belizean students. These local students often do not have the capacity to pay the full cost of our courses. With your help, we can provide them with the life-changing experience of using the natural world as their classroom, doing hands-on research, and contributing to habitat improvement.