Seats still available for Spr23 BIOL 335 (LASC 10) Tropical Conservation Biology!
BIOL 335 Tropical Conservation Biology (LASC 10)
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.
Field Itinerary
- Fri March 10: Fly from Fargo to Liberia, Costa Rica, stay in Hotel Boyeros, Liberia
- Sat March 11: Travel by microbus to Estacion Biologica in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Orientation hike on the trails, dinner, night hike by flashlight.
- Sun March 12: At Estacion Biologica, natural history hike, visit to Finca Life with Guillermo Vargas, evening meeting/discussion with conservationist Daniela Quesada.
- Mon 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
- Tues March 14: Day trip from Estacion Biologica to Selvatura hanging bridges, afternoon at Santa Elena, butterfly garden, cheese factory, etc.
- Wed 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.
- Thu March 16: Cabo Blanco – tide pooling and snorkeling in the laguna, timing depending on tide cycle
- Fri March 17: Cabo Blanco – tide pooling and snorkeling in the laguna, timing depending on tide cycle, Shell-o-rama, waterfalls hike
- Sat March 18: depart Cabo Blanco and travel to the ecolodge in Santa Rosa National Park (dry forest). Orientation, rest. Evening…special guest
- Sun March 19: Santa Rosa: hike, bird watching, primates, visit La Casona
- Mon 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.
- Tues March 21: Fly from Liberia to Fargo
Estimated cost: $3995 – includes airfare, food and accommodations in Costa Rica, entrance fees to all parks and events, bus and ferry transportation.
Contacts: Brian Wisenden (wisenden@mnstate.edu, HA 407-O) and Bee Wisenden (wisendenp@mnstate.edu, HA 407-Q).