SFS Program Copy for Website Listings. The School for Field Studies

Transcription

1 SFS Program Copy for Website Listings The School for Field Studies

2 Table of Contents Australia: SFS Center for Rainforest Studies... 3 Bhutan: SFS Program on Himalayan Studies... 6 Cambodia and Vietnam: SFS Center for Mekong Studies... 9 Costa Rica: SFS Center for Sustainable Development Studies East Africa: SFS Center for Wildlife Management & Public Health Studies (Tanzania, Kenya) Panama: SFS Center for Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies Peru: SFS Center for Andes-Amazon Studies Turks and Caicos Islands: SFS Center for Marine Resource Studies For web quality program photos, please admissions@fieldstudies.org. 2

3 Australia: SFS Center for Rainforest Studies TERMS CREDITS COURSES PREREQUISITES LOCATION LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION APPLICATION DEADLINE WEBSITE Fall, Spring: Rainforest Studies Session I: New Zealand & Australia (4 weeks) Session II: Australia only (4 weeks) Combined: Sessions I + II (8 weeks) 16 credits in environmental studies 4 credits (per session) in environmental studies Rainforest Ecology Principles of Forest Management Environmental Policy and Socioeconomic Values Directed Research Session I: Rainforest Management Studies Session II: Techniques for Rainforest Research One semester of college-level ecology or biology (semester only) 18 years of age No prerequisites for summer programs Yungaburra, Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Australia Session I: Northern New Zealand & Yungaburra, Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Australia Session II: Yungaburra, Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Australia English None; rolling admissions PROGRAM DESCRIPTION General (For both semester & ) Rainforest ecosystems are a hot spot for biodiversity, and provide humans with clean air, water, food, and medicines. Still, thousands of acres disappear each day. Large areas of northeastern Queensland, Australia, were once covered in spectacular rainforests, preserving millions of years of evolutionary history. Timber extraction, farming, and development have destroyed and disrupted rainforest ecosystems and habitats in both countries. Many of Australia s tropical forests and species are now protected under World Heritage legislation; however, they are faced with threats due to climate change and invasive species. Similar to Australia, in northern New Zealand, only fragments of the country s ancient forests remain to house the endemic fauna and flora. 3

4 Students learn field research techniques as they collect data on: Potential responses to global climate change Habitat use and animal behaviors Resilience to disturbance Local resident involvement in restoration projects Cost-effective and ecologically beneficial methods of restoration The field station is located in the heart of the traditional land of the Yidinjji people in a protected World Heritage forest. Students share cabins nestled within the rainforest. Giant strangler figs, abundant vines and epiphytes, large pythons, colorful parrots, giant cassowaries, bandicoots and tree kangaroos fill the Wet Tropics forests with color, sound, and complexity. Join SFS in northeastern Queensland and northern New Zealand s ancient rainforests which have been greatly affected by habitat loss, fragmentation and climate change. Student research aims to further the understanding of the dynamics of rainforest ecosystems, including the potential impact of global climate change. The Rainforest Studies program gives students a unique opportunity to travel to the tropical rainforest to both study and do hands-on field work on rainforest management and restoration. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ONLY Rainforest ecosystems are a hot spot for biodiversity, and provide humans with clean air, water, food, and medicines. Still, thousands of acres disappear each day. Large areas of northeastern Queensland, Australia, were once covered in spectacular rainforests, preserving millions of years of evolutionary history. Timber extraction, farming, and development have destroyed and disrupted rainforest ecosystems and habitats in both countries. Many of Australia s tropical forests and species are now protected under World Heritage legislation; however, they are faced with threats due to climate change and invasive species. The Rainforest Studies program builds understanding of the dynamics of rainforest ecosystems, including the potential impact of global climate change. The goal of the program is to develop rainforest restoration and management strategies that benefit both ecosystems and human communities, and that can serve as a model for conserving other rainforests. Student research contributes toward broader studies on global climate change, ecological integrity of rainforest fragments, and developing restoration practices to maximize rates of plant growth and colonization by fauna. Students learn field research techniques as they collect data on: Potential responses to global climate change Habitat use and animal behaviors Resilience to disturbance Local resident involvement in restoration projects Cost-effective and ecologically beneficial methods of restoration The field station is located in the heart of the traditional land of the Yidinjji people in a protected World Heritage forest. Students share cabins nestled within the rainforest. Giant strangler figs, abundant vines and epiphytes, large pythons, colorful parrots, giant cassowaries, bandicoots and tree kangaroos fill the Wet Tropics forests with color, sound, and complexity. 4

5 Join SFS in Queensland, Australia to study and conduct research in rainforest management and restoration in the country s tropical rainforest. The region s ancient rainforests have been greatly affected by habitat loss, fragmentation, and climate change. Student research aims to further the understanding of the dynamics of rainforest ecosystems, including the potential impact of global climate change. The Rainforest Studies program gives students a unique opportunity to travel to the tropical rainforest to both study and do hands-on field work on rainforest management and restoration. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ONLY Australia and New Zealand s rainforests are faced with continual threats due to development, climate change, and invasive species, leaving fragile fragments that are often too small or isolated to sustain some species. The Natural Resource Management and Rainforest Research program provides a thorough introduction to biodiversity conservation, the socioeconomic factors influencing land and resource management in two unique areas, and field research techniques. Students attending Session I spend two weeks in northern New Zealand and two weeks in northeastern Queensland, Australia. In New Zealand, students discover the critically endangered flora and fauna and the impacts that have led to their decline. In Australia, students take their New Zealand experiences and examine similarities and differences in political structure, co-management arrangements, land-use patterns, and biogeography. During Session II, students explore Australia s tropical rainforests, examine the effects of fragmentation in highly endangered rainforest systems, and develop effective field research skills in multiple disciplines while learning about rainforest restoration and conservation. The Rainforest Studies summer program gives students a unique opportunity to travel to the tropical rainforest to both study and do hands-on field work on rainforest management and restoration. Join SFS in Australia and New Zealand to study and conduct research in rainforest management and restoration in the country s tropical rainforest. The region s ancient rainforests have been greatly affected by habitat loss, fragmentation, and climate change. Student research aims to further the understanding of the dynamics of rainforest ecosystems, including the potential impact of global climate change. The Natural Resource Management and Rainforest Research program provides a thorough introduction to biodiversity conservation, the socioeconomic factors influencing land and resource management in two unique areas, and field research techniques. 5

6 Bhutan: SFS Program on Himalayan Studies TERMS Fall ONLY (Starting Fall 2015): Himalayan Environment and Society in Transition 6 week program CREDITS 16 credits in environmental studies; additional 2 credits in language/culture 6 credits in environmental studies COURSES Course names and syllabi will be available by September 2014 Course names and syllabi will be available by September 2014 Course names and syllabi will be available by September 2014 Directed Research Course names and syllabi will be available by September 2014 PREREQUISITES LOCATION LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION APPLICATION DEADLINE WEBSITE Eastern Himalayan Forests and Rural Livelihoods One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies (semester only) 18 years of age No prerequisites for summer program Bumthang and Zhemgang Districts, Bhutan Bumthang District, Bhutan English instruction with 2-credit Bhutanese language and culture course (semester only) None; rolling admissions, but early application is encouraged and applications must be completed two months prior to the start of the program PROGRAM DESCRIPTION General (For both semester & ) Join SFS in Bhutan, a Himalayan country characterized by towering mountains, lush forests, and a unique cultural heritage, where progress and development is also evaluated on the basis of cultural preservation and environmental conservation rather than purely economic achievements. Bhutan has also been identified as one of the top-10 biodiversity hot spots in the world. As species do not keep to political boundaries, and since Bhutan is modernizing rapidly, we are considering how Bhutan can secure its rich culture and biodiversity in the face of change. Traveling across Bhutan, and focusing their studies in the central districts, students learn about Bhutanese culture, environment, and rural development in a country in transition. SFS has a partnership with the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment (UWICE), an international research and training facility in Bhutan. Students contribute to the advancement of the Institute s research agenda in several priority areas, including sustainable forestry, conservation biology, water resources, and socioeconomic policy. 6

7 The main field station is located at the UWICE campus, set in the pastoral Chokhor Valley in the central district of Bumthang. The facility is the former palace of Bhutan s first king, built in traditional Bhutanese architecture with colorful decorations both inside and out. students spend the last month at a rural development training campus overlooking the working farm and valley just on the edge of Zhemgang town. Join SFS in Bhutan, a Himalayan country characterized by towering mountains, lush forests, and a unique cultural heritage, where progress and development is also evaluated on the basis of cultural preservation and environmental conservation rather than purely economic achievements. Research focuses on sustainable forestry, conservation biology, water resources, and socioeconomic policy. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ONLY Bhutan is nestled in the remote and rugged eastern Himalayas, a mountainous area characterized by some of the world s highest peaks, extraordinary biodiversity, and deep cultural and religious history etched into the landscape. Progress and development in the country is evaluated on the basis of cultural preservation and environmental conservation rather than purely economic achievements. Bhutan has also been identified as one of the top-10 biodiversity hot spots in the world. Since Bhutan is modernizing rapidly, we are considering how Bhutan can secure its rich culture and biodiversity in the face of change. Traveling across Bhutan, and focusing their studies in the central districts, students learn about Bhutanese culture, environment, and rural development in a country in transition. SFS has a partnership with the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment (UWICE), an international research and training facility in Bhutan. Students contribute to the advancement of the Institute s research agenda in several priority areas, including sustainable forestry, conservation biology, water resources, and socioeconomic policy. The field station during the first two months of the program is located at the UWICE campus, set in the pastoral Chokhor Valley in the central district of Bumthang. The facility is the former palace of Bhutan s first king, built in traditional Bhutanese architecture with colorful decorations both inside and out. The last month is spent at a rural development training campus overlooking the working farm and valley just on the edge of Zhemgang town. Bhutan is nestled in the remote and rugged eastern Himalayas, a mountainous area characterized by some of the world s highest peaks, extraordinary biodiversity, and deep cultural and religious history. This program, gives students a broad exposure to the core areas of environment, culture, development, and governance in the country. Students address questions related to natural resource-based livelihoods, conservation of biodiversity, and vulnerabilities to disasters. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ONLY Bhutan is nestled in the remote and rugged eastern Himalayas, a mountainous area characterized by some of the world s highest peaks, extraordinary biodiversity, and deep cultural and religious history etched into the landscape. The interdisciplinary curriculum of the summer program integrates elements of Bhutanese culture and society, ecology, resource management, and rural development. Traveling and trekking across valleys and ridges and through villages, students gain an intimate knowledge of the diverse ecosystems and rural livelihood strategies, and conduct research on Bhutan s priority environmental concerns and resource management and biodiversity conservation strategies. 7

8 SFS partners with the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment (UWICE), an international research and training facility in Bhutan. SFS students contribute to the advancement of the Institute s research agenda in several priority areas, including sustainable forestry, watershed management, and rural development. We address questions related to water scarcity and flooding, community and private forestry, and changing livelihoods and socioeconomic values. The field station is located at the UWICE campus, set in the pastoral Chokhor Valley in the central district of Bumthang. The facility is the former palace of Bhutan s first king, built in traditional Bhutanese architecture with colorful decorations both inside and out. Bhutan is nestled in the remote and rugged eastern Himalayas, a mountainous area characterized by some of the world s highest peaks, extraordinary biodiversity, and deep cultural and religious history. Traveling throughout Bhutan, students learn about culture and history, religious traditions, environmental issues, and conservation policies. Students explore the role environmental services and natural resources play in rural livelihood and national development. Students conduct research on Bhutan s primary environmental concerns, including sustainable forestry, watershed management, and rural development. 8

9 Cambodia and Vietnam: SFS Center for Mekong Studies TERMS CREDITS COURSES PREREQUISITES LOCATION LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION APPLICATION DEADLINE WEBSITE Fall, Spring: The Living Mekong: Environmental Ethics and Conservation 16 credits in environmental studies; additional 2 credits in language/culture Environmental Ethics and Development Conservation Science and Practice Ecosystems and Livelihoods Along the Mekong Directed Research Language and Culture of Cambodia and Vietnam One semester of college-level ecology or biology 18 years of age Siem Reap, Cambodia and Can Tho, Vietnam English instruction with 2-credit Khmer language and Southeast Asian culture course None; rolling admissions PROGRAM DESCRIPTION In this two-country program, students learn about the complexity and fundamental importance of the Mekong River system to the region s ecology and socioeconomic development. While there are high levels of biodiversity in the lower Mekong, conservation efforts are only just beginning and environmental policies have yet to be fully developed. Vietnam and Cambodia, both newly emerging post-conflict nations with growing economies, are engaged in aggressive development. Drivers of environmental change in the lower Mekong whether urban expansion, tourism, or climate change will influence the development trajectories for current and future generations. A fundamental focus of this program is identifying these drivers and ways to mitigate the damage to natural systems while maintaining human livelihoods. Through research, students play a critical role in capacity-building through education, benchmarking environmental conditions, and monitoring the rapid changes to natural systems within this vibrant region. The primary field station during the program is a guesthouse in Siem Reap, located near the famed Angkor UNESCO World Heritage Site. Expeditions during the semester include visits to rural Kratie, Phnom Penh, the capital, Sihanoukville on the Cambodian coast, and three weeks at Can Tho University in Vietnam. In Cambodia and Vietnam SFS students examine the science behind local issues in water resources, climate change, food production, land use, and biodiversity. This two-country program offers students the chance for extended field visits to different locations important to the river system and its inhabitants. Students study the ecology of the flora and fauna of the region and threats to biodiversity and rural livelihoods with environmental ethics as their lens of inquiry. 9

10 Costa Rica: SFS Center for Sustainable Development Studies TERMS CREDITS COURSES Fall, Spring: Sustainable Development Studies Session I: 4 weeks Session II: 4 weeks Combined: Sessions I + II (8 weeks) 16 credits in environmental studies; additional 2 credits in language/culture 4 credits (per session) in environmental studies Tropical Ecology and Sustainable Development Economic and Ethical Issues in Sustainable Development Principles of Resource Management Directed Research Language, Culture and Society of Costa Rica PREREQUISITES LOCATION LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION APPLICATION DEADLINE WEBSITE Session I: Sustaining Tropical Ecosystems: Biodiversity, Conservation & Development Session II: Applied Research Techniques and Strategies Toward Sustainability One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies and one college-level Spanish course (or high achievement in at least three years of high school Spanish) (semester only) 18 years of age No prerequisites for summer programs Atenas, Costa Rica English with 2-credit Spanish language and culture course (semester only) None; rolling admissions PROGRAM DESCRIPTION General (For both semester & ) Join SFS in Costa Rica, known worldwide for its conservation efforts which have attracted millions of tourists to the country s parks and reserves. It is home to beautiful cloud forests, dry forests, volcanoes, lowland rainforests, and plantations and supports more than five percent of the world s biodiversity. However, the ongoing transition from an agriculture-based to a service economy, climate change, and accelerated infrastructural development threaten Costa Rica s biodiversity and society. As rural areas give way to urban development, already scarce resources, including fresh water and energy sources, are stretched to their limit. The Sustainable Development Studies program provides the opportunity for students to examine the effects of globalization on classic development issues such as agriculture, biodiversity protection, economic development, urban sprawl, population growth, waste management, and water resources. 10

11 Students learn field research techniques as they: Examine resource management schemes Identify the benefits of protected areas Determine which systems offer the best option for economic development, the maintenance of cultural norms, and the preservation of biodiversity The field station is near the friendly town of Atenas and is integrated with a Rainforest Alliance Certified TM mango and orange farm overlooking the fertile Central Valley. Join SFS in Costa Rica, a country that is resource-rich, wonderfully biodiverse and, while rapidly developing, is increasingly recognized for its efforts to ensure conservation and the protection of natural resources. The Sustainable Development Studies program focuses on evaluating the actual success of Costa Rica s world-renowned conservation systems and developing alternative strategies for economic development and biodiversity conservation. 11

12 East Africa: SFS Center for Wildlife Management & Public Health Studies (Tanzania, Kenya) NOTE: SFS has temporarily suspended Kenya operations for the Wildlife Management Studies program for the academic year. While this program was previously run as a two country program, it will operate only in Tanzania for the Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 semesters. SFS anticipates that it will continue to run the summer Field Practicum in Public Health and Environment program in Kenya but please check our website for the most up-to-date status. TERMS CREDITS COURSES Fall, Spring: Wildlife Management Studies Session I: Tanzania only (4 weeks) Session II: Kenya or Tanzania (4 weeks) Combined: Sessions I + II (8 weeks) 16 credits in environmental studies; additional 2 credits in language/culture 4 credits (per session) in environmental studies or public health Techniques in Wildlife Management Wildlife Ecology Environmental Policy and Socioeconomic Values Directed Research Intro to Swahili Language and East African Tribal Communities PREREQUISITES LOCATION LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION APPLICATION DEADLINE WEBSITE Session I (Tanzania): Wildlife Management and Conservation Session II (Tanzania): Techniques in Wildlife Field Research Session II (Kenya): Field Practicum in Public Health and Environment One semester of college-level ecology or biology (semester only) 18 years of age No prerequisites for summer programs Rhotia, Manyara area, Tanzania Session I: Rhotia, Manyara area, Tanzania Session II: Rhotia, Manyara area, Tanzania (Techniques in Wildlife Field Research) Session II: Kimana, Kenya (Field Practicum in Public Health and Environment) English with 2-credit Swahili language and culture course (semester only) None; rolling admissions 12

13 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION General (For both semester & ) Northern Tanzania offers a tightly packed hub for wildlife tourism. The area is home to world-famous national parks, such as Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This extremely scenic area, which is the center of tourism in East Africa, has been the home of the Maasai, Iraqw, and other groups for centuries. The Wildlife Management Studies semester program allows students to examine how land-use practices within Maasai group ranches can be sustainably managed to promote both local economic livelihoods and wildlife conservation. Students gain a general overview of cultural perceptions, conservation issues, wildlife dispersal areas, and biodiversity conservation in Tanzania while meeting and interviewing wildlife managers and members of the Maasai community. The summer program in Tanzania exposes students to a rich array of issues related to wildlife management and conservation, and in methods and practices in wildlife field research. The summer program in Kenya introduces students to rural health issues in Kenya, emphasizing the links between health and environment, and community-based health care and modern medicine. The Center for Wildlife Management Studies field station, Moyo Hill Camp, is located in northern Tanzania in the Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem between Lake Manyara National Park and the famous Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The summer Kenya Public Health field station, Kilimanjaro Bush Camp situated in southern Kenya, sits in the remote foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in a lush zone of yellow acacia trees with a perfect view of the magnificent mountains in the distance. The Wildlife Management Studies program allows students to examine how land-use practices within Maasai group ranches can be sustainably managed to promote both local economic livelihoods and wildlife conservation. Students gain a general overview of cultural perceptions, conservation issues, and human/wildlife interaction in Tanzania while meeting and interviewing wildlife managers and members of the Maasai community. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ONLY Northern Tanzania offers a tightly packed hub for wildlife tourism. The area is home to world-famous national parks, such as Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This extremely scenic area, which is the center of tourism in East Africa, has been the home of the Maasai, Iraqw, and other groups for centuries. The Wildlife Management Studies semester program allows students to examine how land-use practices within Maasai group ranches can be sustainably managed to promote both local economic livelihoods and wildlife conservation. Students gain a general overview of cultural perceptions, conservation issues, wildlife dispersal areas, and biodiversity conservation in Tanzania while meeting and interviewing wildlife managers and members of the Maasai community. Students visit multiple protected areas and communities in Tanzania. The Center for Wildlife Management Studies field station, Moyo Hill Camp, is located in northern Tanzania in the Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem between Lake Manyara National Park and the famous Ngorongoro Conservation Area. 13

14 The Wildlife Management Studies semester program allows students to examine how land-use practices within Maasai group ranches can be sustainably managed to promote both local economic livelihoods and wildlife conservation. Students gain a general overview of cultural perceptions, conservation issues, and human/wildlife interaction in Tanzania while meeting and interviewing wildlife managers and members of the Maasai community. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ONLY In recent years there has been a steady shift in land use from purely pastoral to mixed agro-pastoral systems in the Maasai group ranches that occupy the land in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. This land-use change is driven by various socioeconomic, cultural, and political factors. The integrity and quality of dispersal habitats of a wide variety of wildlife species, which historically have moved across the group ranches while migrating between the parks, is severely compromised. Such dispersal hindrances are turning protected areas into ecological islands that cannot sustain natural ecological processes or maintain the density and diversity of wildlife species that typically use these areas for dry season grazing. Land scarcity and water issues not only impact wildlife populations in the area, but human populations as well. Massai ranch leaders noted recently an increase in health problems among the Maasai, many of which can be linked to poor water quality. programs are offered in both Kenya and Tanzania. The Wildlife Management Studies summer program in Tanzania exposes students to a rich array of issues related to wildlife management and conservation, and in methods and practices in wildlife field research. The summer program in Kenya allows students to study the major shift from nomadism to pastoralism in East Africa and the new health problems this has brought to the Maasai, including an escalation in sanitation-related and water-borne diseases, infant and childhood diseases, and HIV/AIDS. The Center for Wildlife Management Studies field station, Moyo Hill Camp, is located in northern Tanzania in the Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem between Lake Manyara National Park and the famous Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The Kenya Public Health field station, Kilimanjaro Bush Camp situated in southern Kenya, sits in the remote foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in a lush zone of yellow acacia trees with a perfect view of the magnificent mountains in the distance. Students in the Wildlife Management Studies summer program are exposed to wildlife management practices and the complex issues involving sustainable wildlife conservation in the Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem of Tanzania. The courses combine concepts and principles of ecology, natural resource management, and socioeconomics which are central to effective and sustainable wildlife conservation. During the course, students develop skills to explore the ecology, social organization, and behavior of common African large mammals, and are exposed to a suite of wildlife field techniques and methods routinely used to assess wildlife ecology and management policies and practices. Public Health Description: The Field Practicum in Public Health and Environment introduces students to rural health issues in Kenya, emphasizing the links between health and environment, and community-based health care and modern medicine. Students gain experience in assessing and analyzing public health and environmental concerns in Maasai communities in partnership with local community-based health organizations. 14

15 Panama: SFS Center for Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies TERMS CREDITS COURSES Fall, Spring: Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies 16 credits in environmental studies; additional 2 credits in language/culture Tropical Coastal Ecology Environmental Policy and Socioeconomic Values Principles of Resource Management Directed Research Language, Culture and Society of Panama PREREQUISITES LOCATION LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION APPLICATION DEADLINE WEBSITE One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies 18 years of age Bocas del Toro, Panama English with 2-credit Spanish language and culture course None; rolling admissions PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Bocas del Toro archipelago, located on the Caribbean coast, is a complex and biologically diverse area composed of islands, mangrove forests, coral reefs, and seagrass meadows. The archipelago hosts more marine and terrestrial species than almost anywhere else on Earth. The biodiversity of these island systems, however, is under threat from a variety of human and natural pressures, including climate change, logging, and expanding farming and ranching, all of which put delicate coral reefs and rainforests at risk. Combining scientific research with local and indigenous knowledge is crucial for the conservation and management of this wild and magnificent area. This program provides students with an exciting opportunity to conduct research and explore the rural Caribbean and the isthmus of Panama. The goal of this program is to assess the state of the archipelago s fragile natural habitats, define the main environmental issues, and understand the community goals in natural resource management. Through coursework and research, students gain an understanding of the interdependence of livelihood strategies of island residents, population structure of key species, and habitat arrangements and conditions, and then apply sustainability principles to define potential management strategies. The field station is located on the island of Solarte nestled in the rainforest between two indigenous hamlets of Ngöbe people. Join SFS in Panama s Bocas del Toro archipelago where students study the state of the island system s fragile natural habitats, defining the main environmental issues and understanding the community s goals in natural resource management. The field station is located on the island of Solarte, nestled in the rainforest. 15

16 Peru: SFS Center for Andes-Amazon Studies TERMS CREDITS COURSES Fall, Spring: Biodiversity and Development in the Amazon 16 credits in environmental studies; additional 2 credits in language/culture Tropical Ecology of the Andes-Amazon Political Ecology of Developing Landscapes Conservation Science and Practice Directed Research Language, Culture and Society of Peru PREREQUISITES LOCATION LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION APPLICATION DEADLINE WEBSITE One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies 18 years of age Pillcopata, Peru English with 2-credit Spanish language and culture course None; rolling admissions PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Southeastern Peru is a region rich in natural resources, yet the ecosystems, habitats, and species that comprise the biodiversity and provide ecosystem services to residents local and global are threatened by rapid and unplanned urban and peri-urban development, expansion of road system, unregulated logging and mining, and high-input agriculture. The social fabric of local communities is threatened by environmental degradation associated with these industries and inequities in rural development. This program seeks to understand both the conflicts and synergies of conservation and development. Students gain a sense of the richness of the Andes-Amazon region biodiversity, social and cultural diversity, and ecosystem services while exploring strategies for sustainable livelihoods in this highly productive and diverse region of South America. The interdisciplinary themes of socio-ecological resilience, environmental justice, and conservation guide our inquiry. Through coursework, field exercises, and Directed Research, students study people s dependence on the environment, examine the threats to the environment and to social networks, and explore the tools and strategies for mitigating the threats and promoting well-being among rural communities. A strong component of the program is examining the ecological patterns and processes that underpin the high diversity of the region. The field station, ACCA s Villa Carmen Biological Station, is located deep in the Peruvian Amazon surrounded by a wide variety of habitats including intact but disturbed rainforest, secondary forests, streams, rivers, waterfalls, and a diverse range of flora and fauna. 16

17 In southern Peru, this hands-on program explores the forests, fields, communities and rivers along the elevational gradient from the Andes Mountains to the lowland Amazon rainforest. The field station is located deep in the Peruvian Amazon surrounded by a wide variety of habitats. 17

18 Turks and Caicos Islands: SFS Center for Marine Resource Studies TERMS CREDITS COURSES PREREQUISITES LOCATION LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION APPLICATION DEADLINE WEBSITE Fall, Spring: Marine Resource Studies Session I: 4 weeks Session II: 4 weeks Combined: Sessions I + II (8 weeks) 16 credits in environmental studies 4 credits (per session) in environmental studies Tropical Marine Ecology Principles of Resource Management Environmental Policy and Socioeconomic Values Directed Research Session I: Tropical Marine Ecosystems: Monitoring and Management Session II: Applied Marine Research Techniques One semester of college-level ecology or biology (semester only) 18 years of age No prerequisites for summer programs South Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands English None; rolling admissions PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The clear waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) are considered among the world s top 10 diving destinations, where vibrant coral reefs, a dramatic sea wall, and a deep ocean trench harbor a stunning diversity of sea life, from corals to whales. The charismatic fauna include more than 300 species of fish and the colorful and cryptic biota is easily spotted in the warm waters just steps from our field station. Nearby seagrass beds, mangroves, sandy shoals, and reefs lend a patchwork appearance to the miles of shallow blue waters that surround the Islands. But beneath the turquoise waters, a delicate ecosystem is under assault. A relatively healthy ecosystem supports much of the community on South Caicos Island, with fisheries providing the primary source of livelihood. However, pollution and increased extraction of precious marine resources, coupled with large-scale, unsustainable tourism and industrial development, is very likely to inflict irreparable damage to this delicate ecosystem. Depletion of key resources would have a dramatic impact on employment and social structure on South 18

19 Caicos Island. Developing sustainable fisheries is essential if this resource-dependent community is to survive. SFS is working with the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI) Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA) and the National Park Service to develop management strategies to help conserve marine biodiversity and provide economic opportunities for island residents. Snorkeling and SCUBA diving in the waters surrounding South Caicos, students learn field research and monitoring techniques to identify and assess the health of a wide range of marine organisms and habitats. Students learn to identify and observe the behavior of marine species, assess coastal and marine habitats, and quantify fisheries resources through hours of training, observation, and study in the water. In the community, students grapple with the challenges of assessing the rights and needs of local stakeholders and reconciling those with conservation goals. The field station is just steps from the ocean with coral reefs, barrier islands, mangroves, and seagrass beds within a three-mile radius. The turquoise waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands offer students the perfect laboratory for Marine Resource Studies. Snorkeling and SCUBA diving in the waters surrounding South Caicos, students learn field research and monitoring techniques to identify and assess the health of a wide range of marine organisms and habitats. Students learn to identify and observe the behavior of marine species, assess coastal and marine habitats, and quantify fisheries resources through hours of training, observation, and study in the water. 19