University Student does Internship at TIDE

Chelsea Dale, a 4th year Ecological Anthropology major from Malaspina University/College on

Her first time in Belize Chelsea does her intership with TIDE

Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada is working on a volunteer internship at TIDE.  Chelsea is currently working on a project to evaluate TIDE’s training programs (programs) implemented over the years, to many community residents buffering the protected areas managed by TIDE as well as other stakeholders and other individuals who have at one time or the other volunteered with TIDE.

Her programs evaluation project consists of interviewing persons who participated in the training opportunities offered by TIDE – many of which were alternative livelihood programs to provide capacity building and skills in different areas. Some of those included training in small hotel and hospitality services, tour-guiding, fly-fishing, and other technical areas like small electrical appliance repair. 

According to Chelsea, she hopes to interview as many participants to get their feedback regarding the effectiveness of TIDE training programs and how it has influenced their lives.  There is also a needs assessment component of her project, which consists mainly of interviewing leaders of different communities in the Toledo District, to give her an idea of their community needs assessment and to identify alternative sustainable livelihoods. 

Based on her findings at the end of the project, Chelsea will submit a detailed report to TIDE.  She expects to wrap up her project in another few weeks and will be in an around Punta Gorda Town until the middle of August.  Chelsea also says hopes to return to Punta Gorda some time in the near future to conduct research for her Master’s Degree in Resource and Environmental Management.

TIDE has always opened its doors to university students who volunteer their time to conservation work and sustainable development.  To find out more on how to become a member of TIDE and to volunteer your time and services visit us at our home page and follow the instructions on how to donate to TIDE.  We appreciate your contribution towards conservation.