The Chaa Creek Natural History Center
and Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm

The Butterfly Center located in Chaa Creek has been created to raise awareness and and understanding of the local environment for locals and visitors.  It provides a comprehensive introduction to the natural history and geography of Belize with an emphasis on the Cayo District.  Visitors are lead through displays of butterflies, moths, insects and amphibians, and archaeological artifacts.  Knowledgeable guides are on hand to explain and answer questions.
An interactive area focuses on the life cycles of forest life and the fragility of their ecosystems. An example of
this may be found a short walk from the Center at the Chaa Creek Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm. Here visitors are able to
follow the life cycle of this large, beautiful iridescent blue butterfly from egg to pupa.
 
 
 

Guide prepares group for tour.	Presentation on the life of the blue butterfly.
Guide explains the impact of wildlife on the area.	MSU participants inside the butterfly breeding tent.

The Panti Medicinal Trail

In 1981, Dr. Rosita Arvigo, an American doctor of naprapathy, moved with her husband and family to Belize, where they were
determined to start a farm in the jungles of Western Belize and establish a natural healing clinic. "Dr. Rosita" (as she is fondly
known in Belize) had studied herbal medicine in Mexico, and she began to hear stories of an old Mayan traditional healer who
was renown for his ability to cure hopelessly ill patients. Two years after her arrival, Dr. Rosita finally met 86 year old Don
Elijio Panti, who eventually became her teacher. For ten years, Dr. Rosita studied and learned from Don Eligio the art of
traditional Mayan natural healing. She also studied and learned the Mayan spiritual traditions that are an integral part of Don
Eligio's tradition.

The 35 acre farm on which the family grew their food, as well as the healing herbs Arvigo learned about from Don Eligio, is
named Ix Chel Farms, in honor of the Mayan Goddess of Healing. She was determined to preserve the knowledge of Don
Eligio so that it will not die out when the last traditional shamans are gone. During one of their walks in the forest to gather herbs, Don Eligio Panti showed Dr. Rosita all the medicinal plants that were growing along the path. That path has been preserved, and it has become one of the major attractions for tourists who visit the Cayo District. Visitors to the Ix Chel Tropical Research Center can walk along the trail, which has signs in front of each medicinal tree and plant describing its history and uses.
(Information taken from Belize Online- Panti Trail Story)
 
 

Medicinal plants found on the trail.	Discussion of the importance of medicinal plants in Belize.

Group discussion over lunch about the trail and garden.