Program Details
July 22, 2021 - August 2, 2021
Join Professor Chris Picone on his Tropical Ecology Program to Costa Rica . Students experienced first-hand what they learned previously in the classroom, traversing rainforests, cloud forests, dry forests, and agricultural systems. They also participated in a sustainable service-learning project while engaging with the local community.
Tropical Ecology of Natural and Agricultural Systems
This course will survey the ecology of terrestrial ecosystems in Costa Rica, including rainforest, cloud forest, dry forest, and agricultural systems. Recurring themes will be similarities and connections between native ecosystems and agricultural systems.
The course will meet twice weekly through July, before leaving July 22 - August 2, with one follow-up meeting after our return.
This 3-credit class counts as a biology elective as well as an SMT, GDCN class for the LAS.
Program Price: $3,260.00
Includes: airfare, accommodations, insurance, orientations (pre-departure and on-site orientation), meals
Not included: personal expenses, School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education fees for an undergraduate summer course
Payment Schedule
- First payment: March 5, 2021 - $750.00 due
- Second payment: April 5, 2021 - $1,255.00 due
- Third payment: May 5, 2021 - $1,255.00 due
Itinerary
Day 1: Thursday, July 22
- Arrive to Juan Santamaria Airport and picked up by coordinator
- Dinner at hotel/restaurant
- On-site Orientation
Day 2: Friday, July 23
- Land Tenure Issues- Finca La Bella Introduction
Day 3: Saturday, July 24
- Natural history hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve
- Hummingbird gallery visit
- Presentation and Discussion: Land Use Change in Monteverde
- Bat mist-netting after dinner
Day 4: Sunday, July 25
- Presentation & Discussion: Tropical Habitat Restoration – Reforestation
- Reforestation service work
- Tour El Cafetal to learn all about coffee production
Day 5: Monday, July 26
- Tour a family farm in Finca La Bella
- Help with a project on the farm
- Roundtable discussion with farmers at the community center
Day 6: Tuesday, July 27
- Travel from Monteverde to Estación Experimental Forestal Horizontes
- Hike
Day 7: Wednesday, July 28
- Travel to Playa Hermosa
Day 8: Thursday, July 29
- Transport to Pocosol Field Station(approx. 4.5 hrs.)
Day 9: Friday, July 30
- Group A: Natural History Hike with guide
- Group B: Service-Learning
Day 10: Saturday, July 31
- Group A: Service-Learning
- Group B: Natural History Hike with guide
Day 11: Sunday, August 1
- Travel to San Jose
- Farewell Dinner
- Closing Discussions and Evaluation
Day 12: Monday, August 2
- Depart for Boston