Course Objectives: | Objectives include acquiring knowledge about the biological and
ecological context which serve as a backdrop for agricultural and
human development. The characteristics, production practices,
economic importance and evolutionary trends in several major kinds
of crops in the world's food system; understanding how production
elements are integrated into farm units and regional and national
economies; gaining insight into some biological, technical, social
and political problems associated with the exploitation of natural
and human resources through agriculture, and to sample the
individual and collective responses to these problems; gaining
experience in interdisciplinary efforts and to be exposed to career
possibilities; and acquiring a more informed appreciation of the
similarities in human conditions and aspirations throughout the
rural world by experiencing an unfamiliar setting. The course
will also enable students to experience the effects of geography
on climate, and its subsequent impact on ecology and agriculture. |
Topical Outline: | Day 1, Meet in Atrium by the Clock Tower 7:30 am at Hartsfield
International Airport
• Depart, Delta 375, 10:35 am
• Arrive San José 12:20 pm
• 2:00 pm- Hotel rooftop dining room: program briefing and
orientation
• Visit Gold Museum: Costa Rican pre-Columbian civilization
• Dinner in downtown San José
Day 2, Depart 6:00 am
• Irazú Volcano: Volcanoes & soil fertility
• High elevation vegetable production: Elevation v. climate
• Cartago area: High technology agriculture: flowers and
leather leaf fern production
• 6:00 pm Arrive in Turrialba for the evening
Day 3, 9:00 arrive in CATIE: Tropical plant species of economic
importance
• Return to Turrialba
• 7:00 pm: Tropical Plant Family Identification Workshop
Day 4, EARTH arrive noon or early pm
• Campus tour: Educational opportunities in Latin America
• Hike through tropical rain forest: the tropical rain forest
as an ecosystem
Day 5, Breakfast: 5:00 am; bus leaves dorms at 4:45 am
• Class: Spend a morning side by side with EARTH students
in a field practicum
• Banana production
Day 6, Breakfast: 6:00 am
• Discussion & demonstration plots: conventional vs organic
• Leave for Limón mid morning
• Boat ride to Mawamba Lodge, Tortuguero
• Afternoon: free time to walk on beach, visit village, hike,
swim in pool, etc.
• Midnight: look at nesting green turtles (remember dark
clothes!)
Day 7, Boat dock 7 am
• Coastal ecology river trip to observe canals and, explore
rain forest
• Afternoon - free time
• 8 -10 pm: Project briefings
Day 8, Boat dock 7 am
• Travel Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, arrive after lunch
• Stay in Sarapiquí
• ½ day off
• Optional activities: white water rafting ($35), visit local
farms and gardens, hiking on trails, swimming in pool or river,
insect museum, etc.
Day 9, Breakfast at 6 am
• Arrive Arenal Volcano at noon
• Geology & soils, rice, pineapple & papaya production
• Observe volcano at night
Day 10, 7:00 am Depart for La Ensenada
• Cattle production
• Pasture management in dry forest
Day 11, Depart for Ecolodge San Luis
• Arrive late afternoon
• Small-scale agriculture
• Night hike through cloud forest
Day 12, 6:00 am: cow milking or bird walk
• 7:00 am Return for breakfast
• Hike to waterfall, collect insects
• Coffee production and processing
• Optional: horseback riding ($10) or visit neighboring
farms ($5)
• 7:00 pm Insect ID and Plant-Insect Interactions Workshop
Day 13, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Canopy Walk; the cloud forest
ecosystem
• Optional activities: Skytrek zipline ($28), Monteverde Cloud
Forest Reserve ($8); Frog Center ($6); Butterfly garden ($6);
Hummingbird gallery, coffee roaster, cheese factory; all free
• 5:30 Return to San Luis
• 7:00 pm Conservation Workshop
Day 14,
• 6:00 am Depart for San Miguel
• Arrive in pm
• Orientation and introduction to San Miguel
• Night hike on reef, if tide permits: Reef Ecology
Day 15, San Miguel dry forest: the tropical dry forest as an
ecosystem
• Ocean ecology, snorkel, & tidal pool exploration
• Free afternoon: waterfall hike; hike to Cabo Blanco beach;
surfing
• Evening: Biogeography Workshop
Day 16, AM: Workshop: Calculating biodiversity, with marine snails
as an example
• PM: Student presentations
Day 17, Depart for San José
• Souvenir shopping in Sarchí
• Arrive San José late pm
• Farewell dinner in San José (dressy)
Day 18, Depart for airport, 11:30 am
• Depart Costa Rica Delta 564, 2 pm
• Arrive in Atlanta 8:03 pm |