Service Learning in Costa Rica - Primates, Trees and Indigenous Traditions - CEPA

Service Learning in Costa Rica - Primates, Trees and Indigenous Traditions
Costa Rica

Academic Field(s)
Service Learning
Destinations
San José and Osa Peninsula

Duration
11 days
Accommodation
B&B in San José and the foundation’s eco station in Osa Peninsula

Located in the southwestern corner of Costa Rica, the Osa Peninsula is a priority area for conservation. With 2.5% of the world’s living species relative to its small size of just 700 square miles, it is considered to be one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.

During the service learning experience students will learn about the tropical forest and the importance of primate conservation to preserve natural ecosystems through various lectures and hands-on activities in the forest.

Fundación Saimiri is a Costa Rican non-profit organization which was founded in 2010 by the biologist Daniela Solano and Ing. Roberto Rodríguez. It is based directly in Osa Peninsula, in a small community called Guadalupe de la Palma, a small village close to the National Parc of Corcovado, with a population of about 300 habitants. The objective of the organization is to protect Costa Rica’s natural resources and especially the primates of the Osa Peninsula.

DAY 1: SAN JOSÉ
Stay 1 night at a B&B in San José
- Flight to San José, Costa Rica (group flight can be booked separately)
- Orientation session by your on-site coordinator
- Welcome dinner at a Costa Rican restaurant
DAY 2-5: OSA PENINSULA
Stay 8 nights at the foundation’s eco station in Osa Peninsula
- Transportation by private bus from San José to Osa Peninsula
- Orientation session by your on-site coordinator
- Lectures on tropical forest ecology, potential threats, and conservation
- Guided walk in the forest to explore your new surroundings
- Cultural/leisure activity such as kayaking or a trip to the nearby beach
- Hands-on service learning activities, such as seed collection and planting trees

DAY 6-9: OSA PENINSULA
- Lectures on mammals and primates of the Osa Peninsula, conservation and environmental education
- Guided walks in the forest by day and night
- Hands-on service learning activities, such as botany, environmental education and indigenous traditions
- Guided tour of the Corcovado National Park
- Time for presentations and reflexion of the program
- Farewell dinner in the local community
DAY 10-11: MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK - SAN JOSÉ
- Transportation by private bus during the day
- Free time in Manuel Antonio National Park.
Stay 1 night at a B&B in San José
- Departure from San José Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO)