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Tara Scarborough

@tara_scar

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📍Belize
❤️ Memory Vault: Digital Edition ❤️
#Sea #Sights #Sustenance

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Blue Carbon Science and Policy Summer Programme💙🌱🩵🌿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Dos semanas de mucho aprendizaje y de puro pasarlo bien en St Andrews. Días intensos pero lindos, compartiendo con gente de distintos rincones del planeta y diferentes disciplinas. Qué suertuda yooo! Esta experiencia deja mi corazón lleno de nostalgia y alegría y también con la certeza de que el océano conecta personas, historias, pasiones y nuestro futuro 🪸

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Pedal power + refillable water = #BelizeStyle 🚲💧 We ditched single-use plastics and pedaled this little hydration station to volunteer groups while offering quick pick up’s of full bags!

Tired of trash on our streets, in our rivers, and in our sea?
 Get creative. Change the norm.

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This really was the year of becoming. 🌱
And of noticing the flowers along the way.

I’m officially a licensed tour guide!!!!
Closing out the year with this feels big especially since it’s something I’ve talked about since the day I moved back to Belize. Next up… captain’s license 🛶but let me sit in this one for a second.

For me, guiding isn’t just a job. It’s how I protect our culture, our reef, and how our stories are told. I didn’t come into this industry, I was raised in it.

Three months, two days a week, balancing work, advocacy, studying, and life… stressful, yes. Worth it? Absolutely. Came out with an 86 average and a whole new level of confidence.

The trips were 10/10, the people even better. Grateful for the connections, the learning, and the reminders of why this work matters.

I can’t wait to see everyone out there in action.

And especially young @shamo._.blood from Hopkins, possibly the youngest in the group but with so much potential. When she gets comfortable in her craft, she’s going to be a problem (in the best way).

She reminds me a lot of @stacy_n_weber of now Dream Catcher Tours my blueprint. Growing up on South Water Caye at Blue Marlin, I learned from some of the best guides out there. Stacy’s way of interpreting and connecting with guests always stuck with me. It’s always WWSD… and then I bring my own flavor, humor, and style into it.

Thank you Mr. Hugo Panti. Your training style isn’t traditional, but it worked for me. It taught me discipline and forced me to manage my time. I appreciate everything you taught us, in and out of the classroom.

Huge thank you to WCS Belize, Coastal Zone Management, and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation for making this training accessible and FREE. In this economy, that meant everything.

I feel successful, but not satisfied. The top of one mountain is always the bottom of another.

Here’s to guiding with more intention, confidence, and responsibility.
Congrats to everyone who made it to the end. 🌺

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This was taken while diving around the Great Blue Hole in Belize. Having a few Caribbean reef sharks circling us the entire dive was one of our favorite experiences when exploring this region. One after another, in a repetitive motion, we joined them in a calm rhythm. ⁠
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It’s hard to explain what it feels like to be eye to eye with a species once pushed to the brink. But here they are, back in numbers, gliding effortlessly through protected waters.⁠
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Over the past few years, Belize has made major moves to protect sharks. In 2021, no-take zones were set up around all three of the country’s offshore atolls, banning shark fishing across nearly 1,500 square miles. Since then? Shark populations have *tripled* in some areas.⁠
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In order to see these kinds of results, yes, a rule must be enforced. But really, the only reason this was possible was because fishers, scientists, communities, eco-operators, and government bodies came together, agreed there was a problem, and decided to act *together*. This is a shark comeback story we can all learn from!⁠
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Shout out to Great Barrier Reef Foundation & Tara Scarborough for being our amazing collaborators in the field for this one. ⁠
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#caribbeanreefshark #belize #sharkconservation #sharkweek #marinescience #mpa #edgesofearth #sharkconservation #sharkscience #reefsharks #saveourseas

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What’s Happening to the Sargassum on Our Shore?

You may have noticed the changing color of the sargassum along our beach—golden brown in the water, but dark reddish or black on the sand.

Here’s why:
• Fresh sargassum floats in from the sea with a golden or olive tone.
• Once it reaches the shore, the sun, heat, and air cause it to dry out and decay.
• Over time, it darkens—changing to a reddish-brown or black color, and often gives off a strong odor.

But here’s something many don’t realize:
Sargassum has real value when handled properly.

Across the world—and even right here in Belize—it’s being used to create:
• Bioenergy/fuel
• Organic fertilizers
• Animal feed
• Eco-building materials
• Cosmetic and wellness products

Local businesses like @malmalbze @naturallybelizecosmetics and @ikoomahair are already leading by example—creating eco-friendly products from natural and sustainable resources, showing us what’s possible when we work with, not against, our environment.

Instead of just seeing sargassum as a problem, let’s start looking at it as a potential resource—something we can learn from, innovate with, and benefit from as a community.

Let’s keep the conversation going about coastal care, local business support, and sustainable solutions.
This beach, this town, this future—it belongs to all of us.

#SargassumAwareness #SupportLocal #NaturallyBelize #Ikooma #SustainableBelize #CoastalCare #DangrigaBeach #KeepBelizeBeautiful #FromWasteToResource

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Paris, you were a dream.✨

From a magical day at Disneyland Paris to exploring the iconic Louvre Museum, this trip was pure spontaneity and unforgettable moments.

We floated along the Seine on a river tour, biked through the charming city streets, and soent an evening dining inside the Eiffel Tower, overlooking the city.

Much like the Eiffel Tower, originally intended as a temporary structure but now a lasting symbol of France, our roles in life may feel small at first, yet our presence often holds a far greater purpose than we can see. You are meant to be where you are today, but you are worth so much more than you know!

This whirlwind adventure reminded me that the best trips are the unexpected ones. Who else do you know, other than @tara_scar and @chapta_nova, that can pull up to an airport, decide on the spot which country we’re going to, and put together an itinerary on the plane?

Definitely worth the trip!

France, you and I have unfinished business. I’ll see you again soon!

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Our time on Turneffe Atoll, living onsite at Calabash Caye Field Station, was legendary, thanks to two incredible teams: ERI and TASA, each committed to protecting this unique marine ecosystem in critical, yet different ways. ⁠
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With the Environmental Research Institute (ERI), we got a hands-on look at the science side of conservation. ERI’s team invited us to dive alongside them, showing us their SCTLD (stony coral tissue loss disease) treatment process, which involves meticulously applying antibiotics to infected coral—a painstaking but vital effort to slow the disease. ERI’s mission extends beyond disease management; they’re involved in coral spawning research, reef restoration, and studying genetic connectivity in marine species to help develop sustainable practices for Belize’s reefs.⁠
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Meanwhile, TASA (Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association) took us into the heart of Turneffe’s conservation enforcement. Their rangers patrol the atoll, monitoring fishing activities, ensuring compliance with strict marine zoning laws, and educating locals about sustainable practices. Working closely with community members, TASA balances conservation with socioeconomic needs, particularly around fishing, which is necessary to local livelihoods. Their enforcement zones preserve the atoll’s biodiversity while allowing communities to benefit sustainably from its resources.⁠
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ERI and TASA demonstrate the power of combining science, enforcement, and community involvement to protect Turneffe Atoll as well as Belizean culture and heritage as well. To read more about our partnerships while on the atoll, visit STORIES in bio and head to BELIZE!

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Amidst the challenge of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD), Belize stands out for its unbreakable commitment to marine conservation—a spirit we witnessed firsthand at Turneffe Atoll. SCTLD has devastated reefs across the Caribbean, leaving many dive sites in shambles, but Belizeans aren’t backing down. Working alongside the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) team at Calabash Caye, we saw the true force of Belizean determination: from manual coral treatments to innovative research and strategic stakeholder engagement, all efforts are laser-focused on reef recovery.

What sets Belize apart is its deeply rooted connection to the ocean, driven by a rich cultural heritage and pride in protecting their home. Galento Galvez and his team at ERI reminded us that this work isn’t just about preserving coral—it’s about safeguarding Belizean identity and a shared future. With scientists, dive professionals, local communities, and leaders joining forces, the “Belizean spirit” shines through as a powerful, united front against the climate crisis. This is a community that doesn’t just hope for change—they actively create it.

Want to read more about Galento’s work in protecting his home? Visit our link in bio and head to BELIZE.

#belize #scubadiving #diver #scuba #turneffeatoll #atoll #barrierreef #greatbarrierreeffoundation #resilientreef #consciousexploration #edges #climatebetter #climateexpedition #globalexpedition #protectwhatyoulove #edgesofearth #coralreefs #coral #protectourreefs #MPAs #marineprotectedarea #ERI #belizeuniversity

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Who doesn’t love a safety stop dangle!?

#belize #scubadiving #diver #scuba #turneffeatoll #atoll #barrierreef #greatbarrierreeffoundation #resilientreef #consciousexploration #edges #climatebetter #climateexpedition #globalexpedition #protectwhatyoulove #edgesofearth #coralreefs #coral #protectourreefs #MPAs #marineprotectedarea #eri #belizeuniversity

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Throughout our time at the Calabash Caye Field Station, there was a woman on the frontlines of climate change, instrumental in the fight against SCTLD: Bonnie Young. She’s a passionate researcher with the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) who has dedicated years to studying Belize's reefs, and works side by side with local rangers to tackle the devastation of this “underwater pandemic.” Her knowledge and commitment were evident each day as she led the team through painstaking fieldwork to treat infected corals, document the spread, and understand the broader impact on marine life.⁠
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Bonnie is guiding new coral restoration and resilience projects to help these reefs recover in the long term. This includes coral spawning studies, genetic analysis of marine species, and collaborative work with local fishermen and dive guides to create a sustainable, community-driven conservation model.⁠
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Bonnie and the ERI team are all about creating a collective mission that goes beyond science alone. Their work, especially in the face of challenges like SCTLD, acts as one of those progress stories that shows what’s possible when dedicated people unite to protect what they love. Although SCTLD has taken tight grip of Belize’s coral here, this team isn’t ready to give up hope for a restored future! ⁠
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Want to read more about Bonnie’s coral work? We thought so! Visit the STORIES link in bio and head to BELIZE.

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Living on the largest atoll in the Western Hemisphere, we spend a week coming to understand the significance of Turneffe Atoll—a vital ecosystem for Belize. Designated as a marine reserve since 2012, Turneffe exemplifies what committed conservation can create, safeguarding a thriving marine habitat that’s essential to Belize’s ocean heritage.

Upon our arrival, we settled into the Calabash Caye Field Station, Belize’s first nationally owned and managed marine research facility, which became our base for the week. Established in 1995 and now managed by the University of Belize Environmental Research Institute (ERI), the station focuses on marine science research and conservation education, working closely with the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association (TASA). Being on-site at Calabash felt like the heart of it all, with the team of rangers acting as the main eyes and ears of the reserve.

Collaborating with: @greatbarrierreeffoundation, @turneffeatollmarinereserve

#belize #scubadiving #diver #scuba #turneffeatoll #atoll #barrierreef #greatbarrierreeffoundation #resilientreef #consciousexploration #edges #climatebetter #climateexpedition #globalexpedition #protectwhatyoulove #edgesofearth #coralreefs #coral #protectourreefs #MPAs #marineprotectedarea #tasa

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In 1971, Jacques Cousteau and his crew on the *Calypso* brought worldwide attention to Belize’s Great Blue Hole, sparking a wave of dive tourism that’s still going strong. Cousteau’s approach to exploration was bold—even controversial. Reports suggest that he and his team used dynamite to widen coral passages around the Blue Hole, enabling their ship to enter the area. While Cousteau later condemned practices like dynamite fishing, he saw these drastic measures as necessary for advancing scientific discovery at the time.

Despite these methods, Cousteau’s journey revealed epic insights, showing the world that the Great Blue Hole was once a dry cavern, its stalactite formations marking a time when sea levels were much lower—around 153,000 years ago. It was a landmark moment for marine exploration and brought unparalleled attention to the uniqueness of this submerged world.

Fast-forward to 2018, when Cousteau’s grandson, Fabien, alongside Sir Richard Branson, continued the family legacy with a pioneering mission to map the Blue Hole’s interior using a three-person submarine. The Stingray 500 submersible allowed them to descend to depths of 92 meters (300 feet), where high-resolution sonar revealed eerie stalactites and pitch-dark voids in the sinkhole’s depths. Unlike the exploratory techniques of the past, today’s technology provided a 3D map of the Great Blue Hole, uncovering new details about this enigmatic place.

To read more about Cousteau’s journey to the Great Blue Hole, visit STORIES in our bio and head to BELIZE.

#belize #scubadiving #diver #scuba #cayecaulker #barrierreef #greatbluehole #bluehole #greatbarrierreeffoundation #resilientreef #consciousexploration #edges #climatebetter #climateexpedition #globalexpedition #protectwhatyoulove #edgesofearth #coralreefs #coral #protectourreefs #MPAs #marineprotectedarea #jacquescousteau #cousteau #exploration

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