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Come to 214 Heller Hall on Thursday, September 18 at 5:00pm to learn more about this exciting volunteer experience.
- Puerto Rico
- Winter break: Jan. 8-17, 2009
- U of M Freshmen and above
- No academic credit , directed study credit optional
- Volunteer field research
- Tents and bunkhouse
- No language prerequisite
- Sponsored by Earthwatch Institute
Description
Join us on this unique opportunity to conduct volunteer field research abroad during winter break! Las Casas de la Selva was established in 1983 as an experimental rainforest enrichment project. The project takes place on 409 hectares of rainforest, containing some of the steepest slopes and most diverse ecology in the mountains of southeastern Puerto Rico. Las Casas de la Selva has created an approach for profiting from a rainforest environment without diminishing its species richness, biological diversity or total biomass.
Curriculum
The University of Minnesota volunteer team will gain a unique understanding of an experimental rainforest enrichment project. The Las Casas project tests the viability of line-planting enrichment in Puerto Rico's secondary forest, evaluating the growth of mahogany and a variety of other valuable exotic and native trees in such a planting regime. Additionally, the project studies the effect of line-planting forestry on the diverstiy and abundance of amphibians at the Las Casas de la Selva site, in particular a type of nocturnal frog known locally as the coqui. Volunteers will take and record tree measurements and assist by labeling new tree plants and mapping their location in the plot using a grid reference. For the coqui study, volunteers will localize and identify frogs and also count and estimate frog abundance and diversity. Please note that this program is a volunteer program and is not for academic credit. Those interested in academic credit for this program will need to do a directed study.
Eligibility & Application
Open to University of Minnesota freshmen and above in good academic standing. This program can accommodate a maximum of 10 volunteers so apply early to ensure your spot!
Puerto Rico's Rainforest & Your Degree Plan
This volunteer field research program is a unique opportunity for students of all majors and academic backgrounds. There is no credit associated with this program. However, there is an opportunity to independently arrange a directed study.
Estimated Costs
The program fee is $2250. This fee includes the Earthwatch Institute program fee, Earthwatch institute membership fee, the University of Minnesota fee, housing, meals, on-site travel, and various costs of field research (field permits, equipment, etc.) Students participating on cosponsored programs will be charged a program fee, which is inclusive of the cosponsor’s program fee, a University of Minnesota fee, and an international health insurance fee. Based on these additional services and benefits, the fee will be higher than the program sponsor’s published fee. The University of Minnesota fee covers the cost of application processing, advising services, orientation, and assistance with financial aid when applicable.
Not included in the program fee is airfare to San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU), spending money, etc. A budget estimate for this program is available.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
This program is not for academic credit and therefore financial aid and Learning Abroad Center scholarships do not apply. Students interested in a one-credit directed study can add the Earthwatch Institute program fee onto their spring semester tuition to be eligible for financial aid.
Program Contact
For further information or questions about studying
abroad as a University of Minnesota student, please call 612.626.9000 or 888.700.8636,
email UMabroad@umn.edu or visit our online
staff directory.
For specific program questions, contact the program directly.
More Information
For more information on Earthwatch Institute visit their website.
Last modified on September 2, 2008 |