Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society (T.R.E.E.S.)

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Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society (T.R.E.E.S.)

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Come visit us in beautiful Belize!

Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society (T.R.E.E.S) provides educational adventure opportunities and quaint jungle lodging for you at the T.R.E.E.S Research Center and Eco-Lodge in the Maya Mountains of Belize. T.R.E.E.S offers hands-on learning opportunities to Belizeans and tourists through workshops and courses in environmental conservation, cultural studies, and music on site at their fully equipped T.R.E.E.S Hosting Center situated in 200 acres of lush Belizean jungle. Facilities include a dining hall, lounge, office, kitchen, conference area and laboratory, single and double cabins, a 15 acre fruit orchard, numerous swimming holes along a gorgeous jungle river, and a vast trail network that connects with several national parks in Belize.

19/10/2026

🦇 Discover Belize’s bats with T.R.E.E.S.!

Last year’s bat experience was truly special, and we’re excited to welcome both new and returning participants.

If you joined us last year and had a great time, you’re very welcome to come back for another unforgettable experience!

Join us at the T.R.E.E.S. Research Center for six days of hands-on learning, fieldwork and fascinating encounters with Belize’s bats.

✨ Your experience includes

- Nightly bat-capture sessions using mist nets
- Roost surveys and field activities
- Expert-led learning about bat ecology, behaviour and conservation.
- Optional trips to local parks, sites and tours

📅 February 28–March 6, 2027
📍 T.R.E.E.S. Research Center, Belize
💲 $1,250 USD — includes airport transfers, meals and lodging.

Requirements: A valid rabies vaccination and proof of titre check are required to handle bats. Some experience working with mist nets and bats is also required.

Come explore Belize’s bat world with us! 🦇

📩 [email protected]
🌐 www.treesociety.org/experience
📞 +501 610-5486

17/10/2026

Ever wondered about the distinct “epaulettes” on the Yellow-shouldered bat (Sturnira parvidens)? 🦇

While they look like stylish shoulder markings, those patches are actually scent glands. The bats produce a waxy secretion that darkens the fur, creating that unique look.

But why the pungent, olive-like scent?

These glands are key to the bat’s social life. Researchers believe they play a vital role in reproductive and social signalling. The secretions help individuals communicate through scent—whether it is to attract a mate or share information within their colony. That unmistakable odour is a powerful tool for interaction in the wild!

This is just one of the many research projects we do part of our long-term bat research programs and one of the bats you may see during our next T.R.E.E.S Bat Experience Tour which we will be posted shortly…stay tuned!

15/10/2026

Thank you to UB-ERI and the Itzamna Society for inviting the T.R.E.E.S team to this year’s Bioblitz at Elijio Panti National Park.

We had a wonderful and informative time exploring the park alongside fellow conservationists and taxa experts.

There was so much to discover, with amphibians and reptiles especially abundant at this time of year. We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn, share knowledge and celebrate the incredible biodiversity of Belize.

14/10/2026

T.R.E.E.S and T.R.B.O. would like to thank Monkey Bay for organizing a great event for Migratory Bird Day last Saturday!

Our team spent a wonderful half-day at Monkey Bay, connecting with families from nearby buffer communities, including Mahogany Heights and Democracia. At our booth, participants had the chance to practise applying a bird band to a stick and try out optivisors—getting a sneak peek at some of the field techniques used in bird banding.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by, and to Monkey Bay for bringing the community together to celebrate migratory birds!

Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

10/10/2026

What better way to celebrate Migratory Bird Day than with the stunning Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)?

This striking warbler is a true neo-tropical migrant, connecting our boreal forests with tropical landscapes across the hemisphere.

Range & Breeding

The Magnolia Warbler breeds primarily across the vast boreal forests of Canada—stretching from Alberta through to the Maritimes—as well as parts of the northeastern United States. They favour young, dense coniferous forests.

Migration Routes

As a classic Neotropical migrant, these 8-10 g birds undertake incredible journeys. In the spring and fall, they migrate through the eastern half of North America. Many take the direct path across the Gulf of Mexico, navigating vast distances to reach their destinations.

Off-Breeding (Wintering) Grounds

When the northern winter approaches, they head south to escape the cold. You can find them wintering in Mexico, Central America, and occasionally parts of the Caribbean. They are remarkably adaptable in these warmer climates, inhabiting a wide variety of environments including woodlands, thickets and orchards. Thus common in our orchards at this time of year.

Whether they are passing through on their way north or setting up shop in our Canadian forests for the summer, the Magnolia Warbler is a spectacular reminder of the interconnected nature of our ecosystems.

Happy Migratory Bird Day!

Toucan Ridge Bird Observatory

08/10/2026

We’re grateful to Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary for inviting T.R.E.E.S. and T.R.B.O. to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day!

Join us at Monkey Bay alongside other amazing Belizean institutions and passionate birders. Let’s celebrate our resident birds and the migrants coming throught!

For more information about world migratory bird day visit www.migratorybirdday.org

Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary 🙌
Toucan Ridge Bird Observatory

07/10/2026

Celebrating Our Local Park Rangers at Five Blues Lake National Park

At T.R.E.E.S., we believe in supporting the people who dedicate themselves to caring for Belize’s natural treasures. We’re pleased to have donated a water tank and piping for a new bathroom building at Five Blues Lake National Park.

After learning that funding had dried up, we heard that local park rangers Esperanza and Andrew, along with other park rangers, had been working pro bono for three months to help keep the park running. Their dedication to this special place is truly inspiring.

If you haven’t had the chance to visit Five Blues Lake National Park, we highly recommend it. Enjoy the emerald-blue lake, limestone caves, forest trails and abundant wildlife.

The park is near Mile 32 of the Hummingbird Highway. Check local conditions before travelling, as the access road can be rough. On arrival, register at the park centre and ask about the self-guided trails.

Let’s celebrate and support the local park rangers working hard to care for this remarkable place.

28/09/2026

Heading down the Hummingbird Highway? 🚗 💨

Make a stop at the Toucan Café for fresh food, cold drinks, and coffee to keep you going on your journey. 🌿

A little fuel for the road!

20/09/2026

T.R.E.E.S’ Reneisha Hamilton has been nominated for the 2026 Wildlife Hero Awards! 🏆
 Reneisha has been integral to T.R.E.E.S’ wildlife operations and handles everything from group logistics to wildlife instruction with all of our students and visitors. It would mean the world to us if you took a moment and followed the link in our bio to vote for Reneisha.

18/09/2026

Fresh from the farm, to your plate! 🌳 🥭   We’re incredibly thankful for everyone who has put time, care, and hard work into growing and preparing the food we serve at the Toucan Cafe. It is such a special part of the T.R.E.E.S experience and we are proud to grow our ingredients right here on the property, bringing the freshest possible food to visitors and interns.

Address

Mile 27. 5 Hummingbird Highway
Middlesex

Telephone

+5016105486

Website

http://www.treesociety.org/, https://www.ecorana.ca/fall-2024-yoga-retreat/

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