March Break Trips: Costa Rica
Wildlife and Environmental Conservation in Costa Rica
On NMH’s travel program in Costa Rica, students spent nine days exploring the field of conservation and scientific research with hands-on learning in Costa Rica’s south Pacific Coast.
You’ll venture into the primary and secondary forests of coastal Dominical, then continue south to the pristine, largely unexplored Osa Peninsula, where you will assist with dolphin research in Golfo Dulce, contributing to scientists’ understanding of these intriguing creatures and supporting their conservation efforts. Then you’ll head north to Manuel Antonio National Park to assist with a mangrove litter clean-up project before capping off the excursion with a walking tour of San José, the capital city.
You’ll also explore ecosystems and microclimates, including coastal habitats, mangroves, and rainforests.
On guided tours, you’ll search for wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, tropical birds, and frogs. You’ll also visit Finca Kobo, where you’ll learn how cacao is transformed into chocolate and about monoculture and polyculture farming.
Costa Rica is a global leader in conservation and sustainability. With 4% of the earth’s biodiversity packed onto just 0.03% of its surface, Costa Rica’s varied ecosystems represent a wealth of nature to preserve and protect. In the mid-20th century, Costa Rican leadership took to the idea of conservation as the future of the nation. This success story stands as a testament to the idea that it’s never too late to reverse negative environmental impact and provides excellent opportunities for hands-on learning in the fields of ecology, conservation, sustainability, and wildlife management.
