Fall Quarter Conservation Ecology Program

CIMAS, in collaboration with the Ecuadorian Museum of Natural Sciences, takes you to three different ecological regions to explore their wonders and introduce you to the work needed to preserve them. The program is taught primarily in English, with a combination of Spanish/English activities during the field work.
It is a 10 week long program, which include 120 contact hours of Conservation Ecology and 40 contact hours of Spanish Language.

Program Components

Field Research Studies – Three, week-long field research trips including,

• Galapagós Archipelago: One of the natural wonders of the world, this complex ecosystem is under threat by the commercial fishing of marine species, tourism, forms of extraction and management incompatible with the fragility of this environment.

• Amazon: Explore the great biodiversity of the Amazon rain forest, and learn about the high levels of reserves threatened by the oil and lumber industries (Jatun Sacha research station).

• Andean High Lands: This region is an Andean reserve territory (paramos) within the Ecological Research Cayambe Coca: Oyacachi providing water reserves and management for Quito and its valleys.

Other Program Highlights

• Study through rigorous theoretical and practical training, biodiversity and ecology.
• Explore solutions from the threats to biodiversity and sustainable conservation models.
• Develop research projects on biodiversity.
• Study intensive Spanish language.
• Homestay family and field research accommodations, meals, and all in-country travel included.
• Optional quarter-long internship in Conservation Ecology following successful program completion. (Requires Spanish language skills.)