Study Human Society & the Natural Environment in Costa Rica
Study Tropical Conservation Biology in Costa Rica
Travel Dates: March 10 - March 21, 2023
Study Abroad in Costa Rica Program Overview:
This course meets once per week starting in January 2023 to discuss assigned readings about biodiversity, what biodiversity is and where biodiversity is greatest and most threatened. We then discuss strategies for conserving biodiversity in the face of competing demands from political and socioeconomic forces. We then discuss why the culture and history of Costa Rica predisposed this country to embrace a conservation ethic and consequently many of the strategies for conservation have been successfully implemented there. All of this preparation sets the stage for a 12-day field trip over March break to see tropical biodiversity in three different habitats (Cloud Forest of Monteverde, Humid forest/tide pools of Cabo Blanco, Dry Forest of Santa Rosa national park) that each use a different conservation strategy. In each location, student will live in small cabanas nestled within the forest. When we return, students present a talk at the Student Academic Conference about conservation biology using their own pictures from the trip. This course is LASC goal area 10 because it studies the intersection between human society and the natural environment.
- Course Information: BIOL 335 Tropical Conservation Biology (LASC 10)
- Dates of Travel: March 10, 2023 - March 21, 2023
- Estimated Cost: $3995 - includes airfare, food and accommodations in Costa Rica, entrance fees to all parks and events, bus and ferry transportation.
- Applications:
Sample Costa Rica Abroad Itinerary
- Day 1: Friday, March 10
Fly from Fargo to Liberia, Costa Rica, stay in Hotel Boyeros, Liberia - Day 2: Saturday, March 11
Travel by microbus to Estacion Biologica in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Orientation hike on the trails, dinner, night hike by flashlight. - Day 3: Sunday, March 12
At Estacion Biologica, natural history hike, visit to Finca Life with Guillermo Vargas.
Evening: Meeting/discussion with conservationist Daniela Quesada. - Day 4: Monday, March 13
Day trip from Estacion Biologica to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, guided birding, followed by free time to explore La Ventana.
Evening: Latin dance lesson - Day 5: Tuesday, March 14
Day trip from Estacion Biologica to Selvatura hanging bridges, afternoon at Santa Elena, butterfly garden, cheese factory, etc. - Day 6: Wednesday, March 15
Depart Estacion Biologica in the microbus, take the ferry across the golfo Nicoya, arrive at Ecolodge San Miguel in the Cabo Blanco Absolute Reserve. Adjust to heat. Tide pooling by flashlight. - Day 7: Thursday, March 16
Cabo Blanco – tide pooling and snorkeling in the laguna, timing depending on tide cycle. - Day 8: Friday, March 17
Cabo Blanco – tide pooling and snorkeling in the laguna, timing depending on tide cycle, Shell-o-rama, waterfalls hike. - Day 9: Saturday, March 18
Depart Cabo Blanco and travel to the ecolodge in Santa Rosa National Park (dry forest). Orientation, rest. Evening…special guest. - Day 10: Sunday, March 19
Santa Rosa, hike, bird watching, primates, visit La Casona. - Day 11: Monday, March 20
Depart Santa Rosa, settle in Hotel Boyeros, Liberia, first hot shower in many days. Free day to explore Liberia. Evening meal at a restaurant. Early to bed. - Day 12: Tuesday, March 21
Fly from Liberia to Fargo