The Problem in Context
Costa Rica is known worldwide for its conservation efforts with more than 25% of its land under protection, thus safeguarding more than 5% of the entire world's biodiversity. This phenomenon has attracted millions of tourists to Costa Rica's parks and reserves.

The lack of funding necessary to cover park operating costs, along with biodiversity protection and conservation in the face of increased visitation, has created major stress to the park system and surrounding communities. Visitors are demanding and needing increased services that cannot be provided due to financial constraints. The parks' carrying capacities are being ignored in favor of short-term revenue produced by entrance fees. Biodiversity protected in the parks, and the cultural heritage of communities near the parks, are threatened by the extent of tourism and the activities organized by tour operators. Ironically, poverty is increasing in the communities around the parks pushing them to other activities to gain income, including illegal poaching of forest and non-forest products from the parks, as well as wildlife subsequently sold for commercial purposes.

Program Description
The director of the Conservation Area of the Central Volcanic Range and the Ministry of Environment of Costa Rica have asked SFS for assistance in producing useful information through hands-on applied research to better manage the operation of the parks within the conservation area in the face of these pressing challenges.

Students will learn about the ecological, resource management, and socioeconomic factors impacting the parks and surrounding regions, and will be directly involved in designing and proposing recommendations to park managers in response to the challenges of heavy visitation and threats to conservation goals. The course focuses on the consequences of heavy tourism, lack of funding, ecological fragmentation and ecosystem health in the national parks, and on the land and communities surrounding the park.

Program Details

Credits	4 environmental studies credits
Dates	Summer 2008: Session I June 9 - July 8; Session II July 14 - August 12
Location/Base	Center for Sustainable Development Studies, Atenas, Costa Rica. Tour the field station.
Program Fees	Summer 2008: $3,665
Prerequisites	16 years of age, good academic standing, completion of at least junior year of high school
Financial Aid	Need-based scholarships and loans available. Visit our financial aid section for more information.
Field Research, Lectures, & Exercises	Field exercises, research projects, and lectures introduce students to models of conservation, biodiversity protection and development of Costa Rica's national parks, within the context of the Cost Rican cultural application of conservation ecology. Volcan Poas National Park Palo Verde National Park Carara National Park Forest dynamics Plant and animal physiology General ecological concepts Sociocultural aspects of sustainable development Socioeconomics of conservation in Costa Rica Principles of conservation ecology Interview techniques in Atenas community Assessing infrastructure and trail system
Community Focus	Our program in Costa Rica is oriented toward helping the community conserve its natural resources and develop sustainably. And close connections with the local community help establish SFS as a trusted and respected resource. SFS students enjoy a warm welcome into the community of Atenas, with opportunities to interview residents during academic projects, practice Spanish, learn about Costa Rican culture and participate in community service projects. Students also enjoy joining local sporting events and spending time socializing at local cafes.

Language of Instruction
English

Application Deadline
Rolling admissions.

Housing
The Center for Sustainable Development Studies is a small farm 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, an organic garden, a patio, and pool. Students live in a dormitory (up to four to a room) with bathrooms. There is a classroom, small laboratory, and a library/computer room with internet access. 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. Tour the field station.

Courses
Summer students are registered in one academic course accredited through Boston University:

EE (NS) 352 Sustaining Tropical Ecosystems: Biodiversity, Conservation, and Development (4 credits)

See our course description page for more details.

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