Tropical Biology, Sustainable Development and Geotourism in Ecuador

Instructor: Alexander Wait

Program Purpose: This course will serve several purposes. First, this course is an example of Missouri State University’s commitment to teaching about sustainability. This course will both introduce students to the concept of sustainability and geo-tourism as defined by the National Geographic Society (“tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place – its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents”), provide students with the opportunity to study first-hand an award-winning geo-tourism enterprise, and provide students the ability to study tropical biology in a relatively remote rainforest.

Second, this course will provide geography and planning students in the Department of Geography, Geology and Planning an option for the field course required to complete their BA and BS degrees.

Third, this course will give students an opportunity to study sustainable development by examining the following:
– the agricultural fields, fish and snail ponds, and livestock facilities that produce the food served at the lodge as well as touring the kitchen and learning about local cuisine and food preparation and service;

– the lodge’s utilization of solar and hydro-electric power to provide power for the lodge facilities, including its wireless internet system;

– the lodge’s water delivery and sewage removal and treatment systems; and

– the high school for indigenous youth, clinic, and hospital associated with the lodge and located just minutes from the lodge in the neighboring town of Mondaña.

Fourth, this course will provide biology students with an opportunity to study tropical biology through time spent in primary and secondary rainforests with a trained, local guide knowledgeable about tropical plants and animals, local hunting and gathering traditions, and subsistence farming practices.

Fifth and finally, this course will provide students with an opportunity to tour historic Quito, Ecuador with a local guide.

Program cost per student: $2,200

Dates of Program: August 11-19

Application deadline: TBA

Deposit: $200

Class: GRY 470* 2 credit hours
BIO 527/BIO 627* 2 credit hours

What is included?

Roundtrip airfare between Springfield, MO and Quito, Ecuador
Roundtrip airfare between Quito and Coca
Roundtrip motorized canoe fare between Coca and Yachana
All meals except breakfast the morning of arrival in Quito (May 21) and lunch in Quito (May 26)
All activity costs while at Yachana and ground transportation in Quito
$50 exit fee from Quito airport

What is not included? $75 education abroad fee, 2 course credit tuition, and one meal (about $10)