Hillfield Strathallan College's Expedition to Honduras with Operation Wallacea!

This past June, Hillfield Strathallan College (HSC) took part in a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Honduras, spending two weeks between Operation Wallacea’s sites in Cusuco National Park and Utila. In the cloud forest, students lived like scientists—hiking rugged terrain with packs, studying flora and fauna, and adjusting to off-the-grid life, from “trench” toilets to waterfall showers. We then shifted to Utila’s coral reefs, where daily snorkelling trips were paired with marine data collection and climate change lessons. Alongside the fieldwork, students attended lectures, deepened their knowledge, and formed connections and memories that will last a lifetime. HSC is already planning a future trip with Opwall!

—Ms. Christine Ellis and Mr. John Bulger, Hillfield Strathallan College chaperones

About Operation Wallacea

Operation Wallacea provides high school students with an extraordinary opportunity to step beyond the classroom and take part in real-world scientific research. On two-week, teacher-led expeditions, high school students work alongside academics and conservation experts, gaining hands-on field training, attending lectures linked to biology, geography, and environmental science, and contributing valuable data to ongoing research projects. These immersive experiences not only build confidence and leadership skills but also inspire future studies and careers in science and sustainability. More than 20 Ontario high schools—including several CIS Ontario members—have already joined Operation Wallacea expeditions to destinations such as South Africa, Peru, Croatia, Honduras, Mexico, and beyond. For students, it’s more than a school trip—it’s a chance to explore the world, experience new cultures, and make a lasting impact on global conservation.