COSTA RICATeacher Fellowship

• Protect leatherback sea turtles

• Raft through lowland rainforests

• Restore threatened tropical habitat

H i g h l i g ht s

In Search of Leatherbacks: You’re walking along a dark sand beach at midnight. With a sky full of stars, all is silent as you look towards the rolling ocean. You’re in search of the elusive, gigantic leatherback sea turtle and its hatchlings – and when you spot them, you’ll help increase our understanding of and ability to conserve this keystone species.

Your Field Work: EPI’s Costa Rica Teacher Fellowship offers you an amazing opportunity to engage with Costa Rica’s immense biodiversity, both on the coast and in the rainforest. While at our sea turtle reserve, you’ll patrol the beach, guided by trained research assistants. Instructors will introduce you to EPI’s unique model for creating positive learning environments in the field and applying field science at home.

Cultural Exchange: After completing field work, you will visit a local high school where you’ll learn about local customs and traditions, and enjoy a day together. It’s a great opportunity to practice your Spanish and experience a typical school day in Costa Rica.

Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience: You’ll dive into the rainforest at our tropical reserve, home of howler monkeys, sloths, toucans, iguanas, leafcutter ants, dart frogs, and a host of other species to learn about their natural history.

Complete more than 20 hours of research during beach patrols and research investigation, as well as 30+ hours of coursework and hands-on instruction in sea turtle biology, rainforest ecology, and conservation.

www.ecologyproject.org • academic & cultural exchange field programs • 406 . 7 2 1 . 8 7 8 4

EPI TEACHER FELLOWSHIPS

Turtle Reserve

EPI Campus

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Day 1: arrive in San JoSe • Meet your instructor team and other Fellows • Preview the unique biodiversity of Costa Rica • Prepare for your adventure in a cozy hotel outside of San José

DayS 2-3: intercultural exchange Day & rainforeSt exploration

• Visit a Costa Rican high school where you’ll meet local students and teachers • Practice your Spanish skills • Travel northwest to a private rainforest reserve • Bird-watch, hike through the rainforest, and explore another facet of Costa Rica • Observe amazing creatures on night hikes

Day 4-6: leatherback Sea turtle reServe • Learn about sea turtle biology, ecology, and conservation issues • Explore the amazing wildlife of lowland tropical ecosystems • Collect data on nesting sea turtles during nightly turtle censuses • Restore turtle nesting habitat on the beach

Day 7: aDventure in the rainforeSt • Raft through spectacular rainforest rapids • Reflect on your Fellowship experience at a farewell dinner Day 8: Depart from San JoSe international airport

Ecology Project International - Conservation for the next generation - Contact: micah@ecologyproject.org

Sample itinerary (SubJect to change)

Room type Fellows per room

Running water

Hot water Toiliet type Electricity

Cabin 3-4 flush

Room type Fellows per room

Running water

Hot water Toiliet type Electricity

Dormitory 2-4 flush