In June 2025 15 pupils from Waid Academy and 2 teachers were lucky enough to spend two weeks in Mexico with the Operation Wallacea. The team of volunteers were made up of pupils ranging in age from 16 to 17 and came from a diverse mix of backgrounds, including pupils with special educational needs and from economically deprived areas.

During the first week we station at Calakmul camp where we undertook field work. This included herpetology and habitat surveys, setting up mist nets to capture and monitor bat and bird populations, studying footage of herbivorous mammals from camera traps, and capturing and recording butterfly species. In the marine site 11 out of our 15 gained their PADI diving qualification, 4 other went snorkelling where they were able to monitor coral reef health (we witnessed quite extensive coral bleaching unfortunately), and monitor fish biodiversity. The green turtles were in abundance and very relaxed in our company. We also spotted octopus and sting rays. On the last day we explored the local mangrove ecosystem.

The grant from the Murray Trust enabled our pupils to buy kit such as rucksacks, boots, headtorches and sleeping bags, all of which were essential for our stay and comfort. The cost of these were in addition to the £3,300 they had to raise for Opwall so this additional fund was very gratefully received.

Our pupils have just held an assembly to recruit the next cohort of pupils to our Opwall trip in 2027 to South Africa. In was wonderful to hear the pupils describe to the younger years how worthwhile their experience had been. One girl said’ Don’t let fear hold you back’ when she described how frightened she was when asked to remove her demand valve from her mouth in dive training. Another described how being out in the rainforest was an experience he would never forget, and he couldn’t believe how many different types of bats there were. All the pupils gained confidence and resilience from the trip. They said that if they can stand using a bucket and cup shower and drop toilet in the wet mosquito ridden forests for a week, they can stand anything! Some are thinking of working in conservation, as they were very impressed by the enthusiasm and knowledge of the researchers in the field, other feel that the experience helped them find depths of courage and character they never knew were there.

The Murray Grant is given to the school groups who can demonstrate the most creative and impressive fundraising efforts. Sandwich Technology School was even more impressive as all of the effort came from just 1 student who went to Honduras with her teacher!

Before my biology expedition to Honduras, I had never been on a plane. We flew from Heathrow at 9am to Newark which was a long 7-hour flight, but I absolutely loved the experience of flying and it made the trip so exciting. We then had a very long gap before our 4-hour flight to San Pedro Sula. I was lucky enough to have a window seat for this flight so could already begin to see the beautiful scenery as we landed. Our travel had gone smoothly until now, but we did then get stuck at customs for another 3 hours! The Opwall team were amazing though and drove out to get us at what was around 2am in Honduran time. Stepping out of the airport was so surreal as even at this time it was the hottest climate I had ever felt! We finally got to our hotel after being up for over 30 hours and were very ready for our beds.
The next morning, we met the school from Texas before starting to make our way to base camp by both minibus and in the back of pick-up trucks up the mountain. We spent the first half of week 1 at base camp in tents and the scenery was amazing. We completed a combination of lectures, fieldwork and games as well as a walk down the mountain to a local’s house to learn how to make Honduran coffee. Our surveys included: habitat sampling, birds, bats, light traps and bugs. However, my favourite was the evening herps survey during which we walked up the river looking for frogs, lizards and snakes. We saw so many frogs and lizards and got to help mark them with the special fluorescent dye, take DNA samples and record this information before releasing them where we found them. I also took part in the canopy access experience, during which I climbed high into the tree canopy. This was very difficult, but the view was so rewarding. Halfway through week 1 we did a 6-hour hike to a higher satellite camp with all our supplies in backpacks. This was so much fun, and the satellite camp was my favourite location as it was so remote and I got to sleep in a hammock. Here we did many more of the same surveys to compare the results to those from base camp to see the effect of altitude. The food was amazing at both camps and I was so impressed at how the Honduran cooks prepared it in the middle of the rainforest.
We then made our way back to base camp for one night before starting our journey to Utila for week 2. We went back down the mountain in the pickup trucks and then got a minibus and a coach to the ferry port. The ferry crossing was only about an hour which we appreciated after our long journey. The climate difference after being up high all of week 1 was a shock as it was so much hotter and more humid. At the dive centre I stayed in shared dorms with the other school and the food was provided by the onsite restaurant. Throughout week 2 we usually had two snorkelling sessions a day, but this was weather dependent. The days started early with breakfast at 6 to allow us to get everything done. My favourite surveys included seeing eagle rays and tallying different fish species which we learnt about through lectures and quizzes. This was my first time snorkelling and I absolutely loved it; we went out to so many different locations on the boat and even learnt to duck dive.
The trip exceeded my expectations and as much as I was excited to see friends and family I didn’t want to leave. I would recommend doing an Opwall trip to anyone who gets the chance and I would love to travel more in the future. Everyone was so friendly throughout the whole trip and made me feel so welcome despite being the only student from my school. The jet lag, fundraising, early mornings and time away from home were 100% worth it.

I left the UK in June 2025 unable to scuba dive and with little knowledge of marine eco-systems. During four profound weeks as a research assistant with Operation Wallacea, I helped conduct benthic and fish surveys & assisted in the capture and dissection of over 50 invasive lionfish. I also gained a deep appreciation for the complexity and fragility of coral reef ecosystems & a passion for this area of study and research.
In Honduras, the marine site is in the Bay of Tela – home to a uniquely resilient coral reef that, despite heavy freshwater runoff and pollution, remained one of the healthiest in the Caribbean until the bleaching event of 2023. Opwall has monitored this reef since 2014, collecting benthic and fish survey data at multiple sites annually, along with lionfish samples to better understand their impact. Lionfish, an invasive species with no natural predators in the region, pose a significant threat to reef biodiversity. This season’s project focused on how their diet may have shifted following the 2023 bleaching event.
During my first two weeks, I completed both my PADI Open Water diving certification and a Caribbean reef ecology qualification. This involved daily lectures on coral ID, reef threats, and conservation practices, paired with hands-on training in key research techniques – from laying transects and quadrats to using underwater video rigs for benthic and fish surveys.
In the final two weeks, I applied these skills across two research teams. With the reef surveillance team, I helped to lay 50m transects and filmed benthic surveys using GoPros along these transects. I also assisted with fish surveys using stereo video surveillance (SVS) and assisted in daily data analysis. Benthic data involved coral, algae, and invertebrate ID, while fish survey footage was used to calculate biomass of identified fish, offering a more accurate ecological picture than traditional ID methods. SVS techniques for fish surveying are being pioneered by Opwall in their Honduran sites (Tela and Utila). With the lionfish team, I took part in daily dives to locate and capture lionfish. Post-dive, we recorded measurements, dissected the fish for sex and maturity, and analysed stomach contents – typically filled with small fish and crustaceans.
Throughout the month, I gained not only technical skills in scientific diving and data collection, but also a deeper understanding of how conservation science must integrate both ecological knowledge and local context. Tela’s reef is considered an ecological anomaly – it thrives despite conditions that should prevent healthy coral growth. Until the 2023 bleaching event, it was one of the healthiest reefs in the Caribbean, with high coral cover and low levels of algae. Scientists still don’t fully understand why it was able to flourish, which makes ongoing monitoring crucial. At the same time, local interest in marine life is limited, largely due to a lack of education and economic reliance on industries like fishing. This makes the work of Opwall and Tela Marine (Opwall’s local contact) especially important – not just for research, but for engaging local communities
through outreach, education, and ecotourism. Sustainable conservation here depends on both scientific data and community involvement.
Now continuing my studies at the University of Edinburgh, I’m excited to carry this experience into my academic work – particularly in sustainability and environmental chemistry. This placement confirmed my passion for marine science and I’m incredibly grateful the Murray award for making this opportunity possible. I grew so much – as a researcher and as a person – and I would love to return to similar work in the future.

I am a third-year BSc geography student at Royal Holloway university of London. Over the past year, my academic studies have deepened my interest in fieldwork and conservation. This inspired me to take part in a research expedition with Operation Wallacea, where I had the opportunity to apply my knowledge in a meaningful environment. During the summer, I spent 4 weeks in Croatia, Krka National Park as a research assistant. This was my first-time conducting fieldwork abroad which was both challenging and extremely rewarding. The site was incredible, full of rich biodiversity and amazing views which surpassed my expectations.

I thoroughly enjoyed participating in every survey, but I was particular fascinated by bird mist netting, bat harp trapping, mammal and habitat surveys. During my final two weeks, I chose to specialise in habitat surveys, although having enjoyed data collection with other taxon teams, I continued to join a few other surveys to broaden my understanding on the site’s biodiversity. A highlight of my experience was leading a habitat survey to a group of school students, which allowed me to share what I had learnt in the field and develop my confidence in communicating scientific information. I was also keen to assist with data entry, so in my final two weeks I worked on data entry across multiple research teams including watching camera trap footage with the mammal team.

The month I spent in Croatia provided me with an invaluable set of both practical and personal skills. Through fieldwork surveys, I strengthened my abilities in ecological data collection and monitoring, species identification and working efficiently in different settings. Collaborating with research assistants and staff enhanced my teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills as we often had to adapt to field conditions. Working in this collaborative environment enabled me to grow in confidence, particularly when contributing ideas within a group. This experience has deepened my enthusiasm for conservation research and has equipped me with a strong foundation for a future in this field of work.

I made countless amazing memories during my time in Croatia. A highlight from a bird mist netting survey was when it started raining on our way back, we had been longing for some rain,. Habitat surveys were always great fun, bush whacking, crawling and climbing over plants and trees. Beyond the surveys, socialising with research assistants and staff during mealtimes and throughout the day was memorable, playing card games and chatting, it created a strong sense of community. Days away from surveys were also very enjoyable, I got to explore areas of Croatia outside of Krka Park, including several waterfalls and Sibenik town. Croatia was an unforgettable experience, and I am incredibly grateful to have been awarded the Guy Poland Grant, which made this opportunity possible.