Course Description
Comparision of the land conservation and biodiversity policies of Costa Rica and the United States. Seven of Costa Rica's leading attorneys, policy developers, and economists in the field of biodiversity and land conservation policy will give lectures to students throughout the course.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Students must keep a daily journal throughout the trip with
their impressions and comments on the differences and
similarities between the United States and Costa Rican
biodiversity and land conservation policies.
Athena Title
COMP BIODIV & CONS
Non-Traditional Format
An intensive, two-week study abroad course in Costa Rica taught in late July every year. Students will have 3-4 hours of lecture/discussion per day and 3-4 hours of other learning content with professors per day (e.g., guided tours and hikes).
Semester Course Offered
Offered summer semester every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students enrolled in the course will gain an in-depth understanding of the legal system and land conservation policies of the United States through a comparison to the conservation laws and policies of another nation and culture. In addition, students will closely interact with some of Costa Rica's top leaders in the fields of conservation policy, environmental and land use law, and land protection, providing them with a valuable cross-cultural experience. Students will return to UGA with new ideas for effective conservation policy in the United States and invaluable international contacts.
Topical Outline
I. Retreat (Athens, GA) A. Global Biodiversity & Issues (Dr. Ron Carroll) B. Primer on Policy Analysis (Dr. Dan Dunning) C. Establishment of U.S. Biological Service (Dr. Ron Pulliam) D. Leadership (Dr. Rob Williams) II. Costa Rica A. Biodiversity Protection in Costa Rica - Introduction to Costa Rican Biodiversity and Establishment of InBio (Dr. Rodrigo Gamez, Director of InBio) - Tour of InBio B. Introduction to Costa Rica - Overview of Costa Rica's Legal System (Laurie Fowler) - Introduction to San Luis & the UGA Costa Rica campus (Resident Naturalist) C. Introduction to Conservation Policy - Overview of Biodiversity Protection and Land Conservation in Costa Rica (Carlos Manuel Rodriguez Echandi) - U.S. and Georgia response (Laurie Fowler) D. Land & Water Conservation: Costa Rica - Land Tenure in Costa Rica, The Role of Land Trusts and Conservation Easements in Biodiversity Protection in Costa Rica (Andrea Meza, Director of CEDERENA Land Trust) - Innovations in Water Quality/Supply Protection (Rolando Castro, CEDERENA) - Meeting with local activists regarding water quality and quantity issues in Monteverde, Costa Rica - Guided hike & tour of Santa Elena Cloud Forest Preserve E. Land and Water Conservation: the United States - The federal Endangered Species Act and QWICs (Laurie Fowler) - The Increasing Role of Land Trusts in the U.S., U.S. Federal Income Tax Laws and State Tax Laws Related to Conservation Easements (Laurie Fowler) - U.S. and Georgia Response to Biodiversity Issues related to Water quality and supply (Laurie Fowler) F. Issues in Private Land Conservation - The Role of Biological Corridors and Strategies for Protecting Them(Carlos Chacon, The Nature Conservancy) - U.S. and Florida response (Laurie Fowler) - Payment for Environmental Services (Franz Tattenbach Capra, Executive Director of FUNDECOR) G. Conclusion - Lessons Learned and Prospects for the Future (Mario Boza) - Bringing it home to Georgia (Laurie Fowler)