Critical Connections
Costa Rica, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, offers a natural tapestry of coastal plains, lush rainforests, and rugged mountain ranges鈥攈ome to nearly half a million species. Each winter, it becomes an open-air classroom for students in the Ecosystems of Costa Rica course, where they explore the intricate relationships between the country鈥檚 organisms and their environments.聽During their time in Costa Rica, students have the chance to see Resplendent Quetzals in the wild, spot a five- to six-foot-long boa constrictor as they eat lunch near a ranger post in a dry forest, and come face-to-face with a species of acacia tree they read about in class. For Marie Stewart 鈥�23, a biology major from Brimfield, Mass., the experience further conformed her desire to become a 鈥渂oots-on-the-ground biologist,鈥� focusing on wildlife biology and urban ecology. 鈥淭his opportunity to encounter such incredible biodiversity and culture is life-changing for many,鈥� she said.
Ecosystems of Costa Rica
Going to Costa Rica after learning about some principles of forest ecology gave me the ability to connect what I was seeing to what I learned, and allowed me to ask deeper questions about how the ecosystem maintains balance within its great biodiversity.”
Are you passionate about protecting wildlife and preserving the planet for future generations? Do you want to help businesses move toward more sustainable manufacturing practices? Maybe you鈥檇 like to inspire global change and create campaigns to raise awareness of the impact society has on nature.
