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Natural Resource Management and Rainforest Research
Session I: Tropical Rainforest Management Studies in New Zealand and Australia EE (NS) 354
Session II: Techniques for Rainforest Research in Australia EE (NS) 355
This program is composed of two sessions that run back to back for 30 days each. Each session offers one course, which carries four college-level semester credits in Environmental Studies. Students may enroll in one or both sessions. Program content and location between the two are distinctly different: Session I takes place in both New Zealand and Australia, while Session II operates in Australia only.
The program provides students with a thorough introduction to biodiversity conservation and field research techniques as well as the socio-economic factors influencing land management in two unique areas.
Program Description
Rainforest ecosystems are a “hot spot” for faunal and floral biodiversity and provide humans with clean air, water, food, and medicines, yet thousands of acres disappear each day. Large areas of northeastern Queensland were once covered in spectacular tropical rainforests, preserving millions of years of evolutionary history. However, agricultural and residential development have destroyed and disrupted rainforest habitat, leaving only fragments of some rainforest types, which are too small or isolated to sustain some species.
Research Focus
Session I: Tropical Rainforest Management Studies in New Zealand and Australia
Students compare and contrast the ecological, geographical, social, economic, and historical factors that have shaped natural resource management in far north Queensland and northern New Zealand. These two countries share a similar Gondwanan ancestry; however, indigenous and European settlement patterns and economic development significantly differ between the two countries. In New Zealand, students discover the critically endangered flora and fauna of northern New Zealand and the factors that have led to their disjunct populations. In Australia, students take their New Zealand experiences and examine similarities and differences in political structure, land use patterns, and biogeography.
Session II: Techniques for Rainforest Research in Australia
Examining the effects of fragmentation in highly endangered rainforest systems, students explore Australia's tropical forests and develop effective rainforest research skills while learning about rainforest conservation.
Benefits of taking both courses:
- SFS travel grants for airfare.
- Students earn 8 credits.
- Home school financial aid may be applied towards the program. Earning 8 credits likely will allow students to qualify for federal financial aid, depending on their particular situation.
- Five days off between components for independent travel. Students will be near great locations, such as the Great Barrier Reef.
- No prerequisites.
Highlights
- Learn rainforest research field techniques on unique flora and fauna in Australia which are transferable to any other forest ecosystem in the world. These skills are vital for those who decide to pursue a career in the environmental sector.
- Assess density and diversity of flora and fauna in pristine forests and restoration plots.
- Determine ecosystem types and learn field techniques such as trapping, mapping plots, and spotlighting.
- Learn social science survey techniques and how to quantifiably and qualitatively assess human resource use and how it relates to restoration and conservation.
Program Details
| Credits |
8 environmental studies credits (4 per session) |
| Dates |
Session I 2010: June 7 - July 6
Session II 2010: July 12 - Aug 10
Session I 2011: June 6 - July 5
Session II 2011: July 11 - August 9 |
| Location |
Session I: Northern New Zealand and North Queensland, Australia
Session II: North Queensland, Australia |
| Program Tuition & Fess |
Program Total: $8,860 (save $540 by participating in both sessions)
Session I Total: $4,990
Tuition: $2,820
Fees: $2,170 (includes all tuition, room, board, local travel. Fee excludes airfare)
Session II Total: $4,410
Tuition: $2,820
Fees: $1,590 (includes all tuition, room, board, local travel. Fee excludes airfare)
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| Prerequisites |
College Undergraduates: No academic prerequisite
High School Students: 16 years of age; good academic standing; completion of at least junior year of high school |
| Financial Aid |
Need-based scholarships and loans available; travel grants. Visit our financial aid section for more information. |
| Research Focus/Theme |
Biogeographic history and conservation of highly endangered and fragmented rainforest communities; putting people into the matrix - developing natural resource management policies that work; field techniques for sampling rainforest faunal communities, floral communities, and social and economic variables associated with rainforest use. |
| Field Research, Lectures, & Exercises |
Session I:
- Examine the influence of fragmentation and other impacts on abiotic and biotic attributes of forest communities in Australia and New Zealand.
- Visit the ancient rainforest refugia at Mossman Gorge and Daintree National Park.
- Visit the ancient Kauri forests of northern New Zealand.
- Examine Aboriginal vs. Maori historic land-use practices in Australia and New Zealand.
Session II:
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Sampling design; GPS and GIS techniques; plant identification; forest survey techniques; animal survey methods; point sampling and area surveys for birds; spotlighting.
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Experience lowland forest and contrast with the Tablelands rainforest.
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Language of Instruction
English
Application Deadlines
Rolling admission
Housing
While in New Zealand, student accommodations will be at various lodges (included in program costs). The Australia accommodations are eight person cabins at the Center for Rainforest Studies, in the heart of the Australian rainforest.
Students who are unable to commit to the full eight weeks to complete both components may apply for one session only. Please contact the admissions department to further discuss this option:
Apply Now
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