Summer Program in Strategies for Sustaining Tropical Ecosystems
The School for Field Studies
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Primary Location:
| Atenas - Costa Rica | |
Highlights:
| Costa Rica has a long history of preservation, and has developed an extensive national park system. | |
Accomodations:
| Other | |
Description:
| Costa Rica has a long history of preservation, and has developed an extensive national park system. However, with large-scale agriculture still playing a vital role in Costa Rica's economy, it is clear parks may not be enough to sustain this incredible biodiversity. Costa Rica struggles to balance environmental protection with the economic needs of its people. Successful management strategies must incorporate both. In our search for viable management strategies, we will examine issues of applied tropical ecology, ecotourism, watershed management, and sustainable agriculture. We will work very closely with members of the local community, hearing from experts on federal protection schemes, the operation of privately owned reserves, and alternative methods of agriculture. Using data collected during field work, we will attempt to design several strategies which provide for the long term protection of Costa Rica's biodiversity, and the economic needs of the local community. Potential field work and expeditions include: viewing the incredible tropical ecology and ecotourism efforts of several national parks, including expeditions to Braulio Carillo, the most extensive rainforest national park in the country; evaluating and comparing the efforts of private reserves like the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve; visits to Poas Volcano, the second largest volcano crater in the world; and assessing the efforts of coffee cooperatives and organic agriculture ventures in the surrounding area. Students will enjoy a warm welcome into the community of Atenas, and will have many opportunities to practice Spanish and learn about Costa Rican culture. Students will interview residents during academic projects, and may participate in sporting events and spend some time socializing at local cafes.
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URL:
| http://www.fieldstudies.org/ |
This listing is part of PlanetEdu's Educational Travel category.
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