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Amazon Field School

The Applied Biodiversity Science NSF-IGERT Program at Texas A&M University is pleased to announce its 2012 Amazon Field School in the lowland forests of southeastern Peru. The course will take place from May 16-June 3, 2012. Application deadline: January 30, 2012.

Click here to view photos from previous Amazon Field School courses

Description

The course will introduce students to the social and ecological complexities of biodiversity conservation in tropical ecosystems. Students will engage in a variety of field methods from the biological and social sciences to evaluate the causes, consequences, and solutions to biodiversity loss through the lenses of ecology, culture, and governance.

Field Site

The course takes place in the Tambopata National Reserve and Bahuaja Sonene National Park in the Department of Madre de Dios, Peru. The region has some of the highest recorded levels of biodiversity in the world, but it is vulnerable to many new threats, including extensive agriculture, gold mining, illegal logging, and land speculation associated with construction of an Inter-Oceanic Highway.

Activities

Students will explore a variety of terrestrial and aquatic habitats, visit local communities, organizations, and ecotourism lodges, and talk with conservation practitioners and scientists. Interdisciplinary teams of students will examine all sides of complex issues surrounding the region’s conservation challenges. Working in collaboration, students will gather ecological, social, and economic data relevant to a particular conservation concern.

Faculty Leaders

The course is taught by a combination of the following instructors. The 2012 course will be led by Donald Brightsmith and Leslie Ruyle.

Amanda Stronza (RPTS)

Donald Brightsmith (VTPB)

Lee Fitzgerald (WFSC)

Leslie Ruyle (ABS)

Cost

The cost of the field course is $2750. Students are required to cover tuition, the cost of airfare to Puerto Maldonado, Peru and personal expenses. All other food and lodging and local transportation will be provided. Students may either cover the costs themselves and/or seek funding from their department and other on-campus and external sources.

Credit

This course confers 3-4 academic credits from Texas A&M. It will be listed as a 489 course for undergraduate and a 689 course for graduate students.

Eligibility and Applications

All Texas A&M graduate and upper division undergraduate students who have a strong interest in the social and ecological dimensions of biodiversity conservation are eligible. Students from the social sciences are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Deadline: January 30, 2012.

Apply Online through the Study Abroad Office

 

Students in field birdwatching (photo from E. Shapiro)		Tambopata Research Center Madre de Dios, Peru		Gig 'em (photo from E. Shapiro)		Students in field with guide (photo from A. Stronza)>