Science Travel-Study
Ecuador & Galapagos - 2019
Accomplishments of the Expedition
On this expedition, students spent two weeks performing conservation research in Ecuador. Students contributed to research in the Sani Reserve in the Amazon Rainforest by helping catalog a few of the 303 new species of birds in the area. Students also contributed to carbon sequestration in the Amazon. This data will be used to piece together satellite footage with the end goal of receiving carbon credits for the location community and preserve the forest!
The second week was spent on the Galapagos Islands, station on the island of Santa Cruz. Part of the week was spent in the Highland View Reserve and part in the coastal town of Puerto Ayora. Students explored the Galapagos Islands and took part in an ecology course.
The Canopy Tower
Left: Students climbed the canopy tower in the Amazon Rainforest to see a whole new perspective of the jungle. Here, many new species of birds and monkeys were in view.
Expedition Video
Check out this video put together by student Coco Larson!
Terrestrial Week
Sani Reserve - Amazon Rainforest
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Vegetation Surveys
Students help scientist Julia Gelbanu take measurements to quantify the carbon in the forest. This data was added to a database which will eventually piece together a greater area of the Amazon to quantify the carbon as a whole forest.
The local community is striving to receive carbon credit money from REDD+ to preserve this land and help take pressures off of oil influence.
Birds , Mammals, Insects and Herpetology
Students worked with scientists to spot birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects. The scientists were working the whole summer to catalog species present in the Sani Reserve. The hope is to attract more eco-tourists to bring money in for the local community.
Bird and primate photos by students Amelie Black and Frank Fabbro
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The Sani Community
Students hiked to the local Sani Community to learn about their way of life and how the people are connected to the land. Students aided in teaching English to the women of the community (who roasted coffee and produced chocolate to sell)
MarineWeek
Galapagos Islands - Santa Cruz
Geology, Botony, SCUBA and Snorkelling
Students took part in an ecology course on the Galapagos Island of Santa Cruz. They spent their week completing botony walks, Geology walks through lava tunnels and spent a great deal of time in the water, scuba diving, snorkeling and kayaking.
