About the Station

The mission of Las Cuevas is to conduct research, conservation, and education within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve and National Park of Belize.

Las Cuevas Research Station is operated by the Las Cuevas Research Station Trust, a Belizean nongovernmental organization set up specifically to manage the station. The Board of the LCRS Trust is currently being formed.

Sponsors

Facilities

Las Cuevas comprises 8 buildings, 7 vehicles, 5 full-time staff and is supported by an office in the town of Santa Elena.

Rooms
There is permanent accommodation for 24 visitors divided between the main building which contains 6 double rooms and 2 single rooms, and the "bunkhouse" which contains two dormitories sleeping up to 16 people. The double rooms are all equipped with electric lighting, power points, desk and cupboard space. In addition to bedrooms the main building contains, two sets of showers, four toilets, a laboratory, dining hall, laundry facilities and limited covered parking.

Camp Sites
Two campsites have been developed with a capacity for a further 30 visitors. One at "Monkey Tail River" and another known as "Macaw Camp"

Conference Hall
A new building was erected in 1996 and is available for use as a meeting room, for seminars, workshops or conferences. A small library with up-to-date publications and email facilities is also available along with a fully equipped medical room.

Laboratory
The main laboratory is basically a ‘dry’ lab equipped with work benches, storage units and a sink. Microscopes, computers and collecting equipment are available. Other buildings house additional laboratory, botanical & entomological collecting equipment and drying facilities. There is plenty of workspace for scientists and students throughout the station. Research projects and visitors would need to bring any specialised equipment and consumables they may require for their project.

Laundry
There is an automatic washing machine and washing powder available. The House Manager will wash all bed linen on a weekly basis and personal laundry if requested.

Dining Hall and Kitchen
Meals are prepared by the Catering staff and are eaten communally in the dining hall, where meal times are displayed. The kitchen is equipped with a freezer and purified water system. It is usually possible to cater for special dietary requirements as long as these are made known a few weeks in advance. Where necessary packed-lunches can be supplied for fieldwork.

Office Support
Las Cuevas is supported by an administrative office in the small town of Santa Elena, approximately 80 km north of the station. The office contains a satellite telephone, fax machine, electronic mail and internet facilities. Office staff maintain radio communications with Las Cuevas 24hrs a day. It can also be used as limited accommodation for visitors on their way into the station.

Observation Tower
An observation tower 10 meters high is located on top of the highest point in the vicinity, approximately 1 km north-west of Las Cuevas. Access to the wooden platform at the top involves climbing up ladders secured to the framework. From the top of the tower it is possible to see for up to 40 km in all directions when visibility is good.

Vehicles
The station is currently equipped with Landrovers, all terrain bikes, and a 4x4 tractor. All vehicles are equipped with winches and radios and are available for hire if required.

Electricity
Power is supplied by a diesel generator, providing 110v and 240v current with fittings for both UK and US plugs. The generator generally functions from 11.00 am until 9.00 p.m. every day. We will soon be fitting Solar Energy Cells to enable 24 hr lights and computer operation.

Water
Our water comes from an underground stream in the adjacent cave system. This water is exceptionally clear and is safe to drink, although the calcium and magnesium content is high. From the cave the water passes through a coarse filter before it is pumped to a water tower with a capacity of 3.50 cubic meters. Chilled drinking water which has passed through Osmotic-reversal filters is available in the dining hall. Further un-filtered hot and cold water supplies are run to the laboratory and bathrooms.

Radio
Contact with the station office in Santa Elena, the British Armed Forces, the Belize Forest Department and a country-wide relay station is maintained using a VHF system. At Las Cuevas itself there is a base station, radio repeater and a number of portable radios. Information on the bands in use at any one time is available from Las Cuevas or the Belize Forest Department.