SFS Field Study Stations Abroad

The Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Located on 130 acres of property owned for generations by a local Ngobe family, the station sits on open range land adjacent to the cerulean waters of Almirante Bay and surrounded by old-growth tropical forest. Just off shore, within the shadows of nearly impenetrable mangrove stands, lay shallow coral reefs and thalasia beds. Kilometers of pristine beach encircle the seven primary islands in the archipelago, which serve as nesting sites for four endangered species of sea turtle. Inland, the incessant chips of arrow frogs (Dendrobates) and frequent vocal bursts from howler monkeys link one’s ears to the visual majesty of deep forests of green. Bocas town, 25 minutes away by boat, affords many of the comforts of civilization with small restaurants and plenty of shopping.

The SFS Center for Rainforest Studies

The SFS Center Rainforest Studies is located on a 153 acre former grazing farm adjacent to a World Heritage site, near the town of Yungaburra on the Atherton Tablelands. The Center has stands of primary and secondary rainforest, including an endangered ecosystem type, offering students a field laboratory and experimental site as part of their academic program. Sightings of tropical birds, bandicoots, pademelons, primitive musky rat kangaroo, amethystine pythons and other unique rainforest species are common.

The SFS Center for Rainforest Studies

The SFS Center for Wildlife Management Studies

The SFS Center for Wildlife Management Studies operates from two field stations in East Africa, the Kilimanjaro Bush Camp (KBC) in Kenya and the Moyo Hill Camp (MHC) in Tanzania. In Kenya, the Kilimanjaro Bush Camp is located southeast of Nairobi on 25 acres of fenced land at the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro, bordering a permanent river fed by natural springs. The camp is nestled within a lush zone of yellow acacia trees with clear undergrowth giving a perfect view of the magnificent vegetation mosaic.

The SFS Center for Wildlife Management Studies

The SFS Center for Wildlife Management Studies operates from two field stations in East Africa, the Kilimanjaro Bush Camp (KBC) in Kenya and the Moyo Hill Camp in Tanzania. “Moyo Hill” is a short drive from Lake Manyara National Park and Ngorongoro National Park. This wonderfully scenic area, world-renowned for its beauty, geography, history and wildlife, is perched on an escarpment overlooking the Rift valley and the Ngorongoro Hills, with plenty of hiking trails to enjoy.

The Ugyen Wangchuck Institute

The SFS Bhutan program is based in the district of Bumthang at Lamey Goempa, a former palace and monastery of King Ugyen Wangchuck, built in the 1800s. The facility is now used as an international research and training center, focusing on environment and conservation, called the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment (UWICE). The Institute rests on a hillside above the town of Jakar at the foot of the Chokhor valley, surrounded by evergreen forests, offering students a field laboratory and experimental site as part of their academic program.

The SFS Center for Sustainable Development Studies

The SFS Center for Sustainable Development Studies sits on a hillside with spectacular views overlooking the Rio Grande River in the fertile Central Valley. The field station includes a large house, an outdoor classroom, a moderately sized organic garden, a patio and pool, as well as banana, mango, and orange groves, a chicken coop, and untouched forest areas with trails. The field station is part of the small neighborhood of La Presa/Los Angeles. The friendly town of Atenas is a short walk from the field station while Costa Rica's tropical forests, beaches, mountains and volcanoes are within a day's travel.

The SFS Center for Marine Resource Studies

The SFS Center for Marine Resource Studies, located just steps from our crystal clear ocean laboratory, is adjacent to Cockburn Harbour, a town of about 1,100 residents. The field station sits on elevated land about 40 feet above the water and looks directly out over the sea. Within a three-mile radius are coral reefs, mangrove islands, sea grass beds, carbonate platform flats and deep water diving.

SFS Headquarters