Summer 2023 Int'l Environmental Issues & Globalization (by Robyn Stallman)

 

Summer 2023: International Environmental Issues & Globalization

 

Hands-on experience tree coring in a tropical forest reserve (above) after
learning about different types of
forests and techniques in
the classroom (right).

 

 Visiting a fossil and minerals exhibit (above) and learning
about Costa Rican history at a local museum (below)

Learning in the field: Ecotourism in practice (left) and personal reflection & ethnographic research (below)

Volunteer service at La Fortuna Butterfly Garden (above)
and planting herbs on the grounds (below) 

 Visiting an organic herbal health care products cottage industry run by a woman's cooperative in Grecia 

Watershed reforestation in the Western Central Valley town of Palmares

 

 

 Hiking in the Children's Eternal Rainforest 

 

 

Also see Robyn's course video here. 

 

Summer 2022: International Environmental Issues & Globalization

 

Outdoor learning & volunteer work in La Fortuna:

Learning the history of the ecolodge we stayed at from the founder (left top),

a Deep Ecology field activity (left bottom),

and making wild bee traps to establish colonies for honey production (below).

 

 

 

The course included field visits to a premontane forest, cloud forest, and lowland rain forest (left & below).

Some of the wildlife we encountered along the way...

 

 

Learning about indicators of water quality in rivers and streams (right) before applying that knowledge in a stream (with a gorgeous waterfall) near San Ramon (below).

 

A reforestation activity with a community water administrator in Palmares
(left & below).

  

Learning about marine ecology of the Pacific Coast: Commercial fish and shrimp production research, and social-cultural impacts on marine ecosystems.

Summer 2019: International Environmental Issues & Globalization

A visit to Villa Blanca Private Cloud Forest Nature Reserve in the Tilarán Mountain Range (above & below).

Learning about Costa Rican history & biological diversity at the regional museum in San Ramón.

Hiking in the lowland rain forest of the Northern Zone (above), with a stunning view of Arenal Volcano (below)

Volunteer work on an organic farm near La Fortuna: Soil preparation and planting medicinal herbs & fruit trees.

A World Environment Day celebration in Palmares: Releasing morpho butterflies into a butterfy garden (above),
and learning about local environmental conservation efforts & tree planting to create a small park at a local high school (below).

Some of the local wildlife we were lucky enough to see during our outings!

Learning about marine ecology and sustainable
community development projects of the
Pacific Coast in Puntarenas.

Summer 2018: International Environmental Issues & Globalization

  Hiking in the Children's Eternal Rainforest Reserve in the Tilaran Mountains.

 

 Some of the local fauna we encountered at Arenal Oasis Wildlife Refuge in La Fortuna.

A visit to a local organic woman's herbal health care production facility in Grecia.

Aquatic ecology and biological assessment of streams:
Theory and field work sampling in and around San Ramon.

Visiting a hydroelectric facility in the Northern Zone, where we discussed the pro's and con's of large hydroelectric project contributions to Costa Rica's 99.6% renewable electricity mix.

The National University Marine Ecology Field Station in Puntarenas, where we learned about aquatic organisms and fisheries of the Pacific coast.  

 Volunteer work: Planting pineapple and basil on an organic farm in La Fortuna (left and top),
and reforestation in Las Tinajitas Reserve in Palmares (bottom right).   

Summer 2017: International Environmental Issues & Globalization

The group on a hanging bridge over the rain forest during a private reserve hike in the Northern Zone (above), and a waterfall stop along the way (right).

 

  Discussing sustainable energy in the classroom (right), 

and a visit to Peñas Blancas Hydroelectric Plant (above),

one of many such plants that contribute the vast majority
of the country's 98% renewable electricity mix.

 

Stream sampling (above) and bioassesment water quality analysis in the lab (below).

A presentation about traditional wooden cart manufacturing during a visit to a historical hydro-mechanical workshop.

Learning about watershed conservation and restoration: Theory in the classroom,
a water processing plant tour, and reforestation in the biological corredor watershed
that provides the local community with their drinking water.

Visiting a local farmers market where we tried various tropical fruits
and fresh-squeezed 

sugar cane juice.

Cristina and Becca helping make aloe vera gel during a visit to a woman's organic health care production facility. 

Two of the volunteer work assignments during the course: Cleaning out sediment from
the river where water is diverted for the micro-hydro plant (main picture),
and the group on a local farm where we planted medicinal plants.