Hands-on biology in Big Bend
Students earn credit hours in park
By Casey Cavalier
Staff Writer
Big Bend National Park is
the same size as Rhode
Island. But, should size
matter when Texans and
visitors from across the globe seek
adventure? There is no doubt that
Big Bend offers a big list of natural
attractions and is a natural scientist's dream.
Since the 1980s, North Lake
College students have been unfurling
their sleeping bags under Big
Bend's stars. Participants in the
college's popular field studies program
are exposed to the expertise
of instructor Kent Reppond and his
remarkable knowledge of botany.
Reppond makes the trek twice annually
with students in tow. The trip
offers them an opportunity to learn
about the park while satisfying their
Biology 1411 requirement.
Lifeforms well represented
Visitors to Big Bend often include
the Chisos Mountains, Mule
Ear Peaks, Santa Elena Canyon and
Persimmon Gap on their must-see
lists.
The park offers a chance to explore
all sorts of life forms. However,
one could probably take up
residence near the park and never
see it all.
According to the Texas State
Historical Association, “there are
several species in the United States
that can only be found in Big Bend:
Del Carmen white-tail deer, Colima
Warbler, Mexican Drooping
Juniper; the Chisos Agave lives nowhere
else in the world.”
The park's extreme and varied
weather conditions are beneficial
because they create habitats for
an astounding number of flora and
fauna. Included among them are
over 1,000 plant species, 78 mammals,
56 reptiles, 10 amphibians, 35
fish, and 434 birds (accounting for
more than half of all bird species in
North America.)
Unfortunately nature is imperfect.
Endangered species that call
Big Bend home include the peregrine
falcon, black-capped vireo,
Mexican long-nosed bat, and a tiny
fish called the Big Bend Gambusia.
Science requirement satisfied
North Lake students earn four
credit hours while studying at Big
Bend. The experience offers access
to a 1300 square-mile wonderland
that could not be duplicated at any
natural history museum. The weeklong
field study counts towards the
Biology 1411 requirement. Reppond
says that students should also register
for a continuing education class
(PHEZ 1015) to complete their registration
process.
Interested students can make the
trek in March or December. Those
who want to register for the class
visiting Big Bend from March 10-
17 should act quickly. The registration
deadline for the spring trip is
Feb. 2. Reppond says that, in addition
to tuition costs, students are
asked to pay a special assessment
fee of $295 to fund the trip.
For more information call the
department office at 972-273-3450.
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