UW Bothell Campus Events

UW Bothell IAS Study Abroad Program:

From Andes to Amazon: Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainability in Peru

Program description: Our program examines conservation and sustainability issues in a biodiversity hotspot of global importance: southeastern Peru. The first week of our program takes place in the relatively arid highlands surrounding Cusco. We examine current and past human land-use practices and their impact on biodiversity. This portion of the program includes visits to Machu Picchu, a women's weaving cooperative, local fruit and vegetable markets, an organic farm and environmentally focused school, Week 2 and 3 takes us to Manu National Park and Biosphere Reserve where we lodge at biological field stations, both in mountain forests and remote lowland forests. We immerse ourselves in ecological exploration of pristine forest ecosystems and park buffer zones. Basic taxonomy of plant and animal groups will be discussed, as well as techniques for conducting biodiversity surveys. We continue our ecological studies, but also look at the impacts of various human activities (road building, gold mining, cattle ranching) on biodiversity, and explore the ethical and philosophical dimensions of those impacts. For most this is a first foray into the tropical forests, and the sheer diversity of life is overwhelming. Becoming acquainted with the intricacies of tropical forest biodiversity is the first step to understanding what stands to be lost. Ultimately the course examines various stakeholders in biodiversity conservation and exploitation, considers how cultural factors shape environmental attitudes and practices, and discusses compromise solutions that might prevent or slow the future loss of biodiversity.

Program is open to all students! Drop by the info session to learn more about the program, meet the directors and ask questions about the experience, application and expectations.

Info sessions offered on UWB Campus:

• Tuesday January 22, 10:30 – 11:30 am  (UW1-361)
• Thursday February 7, 1 - 2 pm (UW1-361)
• Tuesday February 12, 3:30 - 4:30 , (HH-1160)