Every January, the ENC Biology Department offers Field Problems in Ecology: Tropical Natural History. Destinations for this course have included Belize, Hawaii, and New Zealand. Other destinations may be offered in the future.
In January 2009, the course title was "Hawaiian Natural History". Twenty students traveled to the Big Island of Hawaii with Professor Twining and Dr. McLaren. Over the course of 18 days, students studied and explored Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, coral reefs, tropical rainforests, and the local culture. Other sites of interest included Pu'uhonua o Honaunau (Place of Refuge), Pu'ukohola Heiau (an ancient temple), Kealekekua Bay (where Capt. James Cook was killed), and Pearl Harbor. Accomodations included Arnott's Lodge, the Kona Seaside Hotel, and the Kilauea Military Camp.
Students spent eight days in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where they learned about Kilauea, the most active volcano in the United States, and the other four volcanoes on the Big Island. Students hiked across Kilauea Iki crater and through the Thurston Lava Tubes. They also hiked to the top of Mauna Ulu to see the crater from the 1960's era eruption and a panoramic view of the East Rift Zone, including Pu'u O'O, the currently active vent for Kilauea.
One of the favorite activities of the trip was snorkeling at the coral reefs on the Kona and Puna coasts. At several of these locations, students were able to observe and swim with green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas).
Keep your eyes open for the next trip being offered by the Biology Department to exotic locations to study tropical natural history. For more information, contact Professor Twining at Jonathan.E.Twining@enc.edu.
