TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State University is offering a chance for students to study environmental problems in Oklahoma and Belize during the 2008-09 winter intercession.

“We will learn about the science that identifies environmental problems in Oklahoma and around the world, both in the past and today,” said Dr. Erik Terdal, who is teaching the environmental problems class between fall and spring semesters. “Students will focus on a particular community for their class project. They can choose to study their own community or they can travel with me to Belize to study a small island in the Caribbean where the people live by lobster fishing and coconut harvesting.”

The optional field trip to Belize is scheduled for Jan. 5 to 9, 2009, with an estimated cost of $1,600 in addition to the cost of tuition, fees and books. Anyone wishing to take the trip to Belize must talk to Terdal before enrolling.

“Belize is a developing country that is close to Oklahoma,” said Terdal. “It is located on the Yucatan Peninsula in the heart of Maya civilization both past and present.”

Tourism is a major industry in Belize, with half the country designated as protected for archeological and environmental study. Belize was a British colony until 1981, and continues to be a member of the British Commonwealth.

Students will be required to complete daily assignments while enrolled in the course. Those on the trip to Belize will have access to inexpensive Internet cafes in local villages.

Since 1999, Terdal has taken more than 100 NSU students to study in Belize. In July 2008, his research discovered the existence of jaguars in the Elijio Panti National Park in the Maya Mountains of Belize.

To learn more, contact Terdal at 444-3850 or terdal@nsuok.edu.