Students interested in complementing their exploration of the marine environment with a study abroad program studying the environments of Peru should look into Tim Billo and Ursula Valdez’s exploration seminar below. Info Session on Wednesday, February 17 from 3-4 pm in Wallace Hall 012 (Program on the Environment Commons)

2016 UW Exploration Seminar to Peru
Andes to Amazon: Biodiversity, conservation, and sustainability in Peru

Dates: 26 August-20 Sept 2016
Program Directors: Ursula Valdez (uvaldez@uw.edu), Tim Billo (timbillo@uw.edu)
Program Fee: $3,800 Credit: 5 credits of ENVIR 496, BIOL 493 or Honors 223; other options can be arranged

An ecological and cultural exploration from the high mountains to the rainforest of southeastern Peru. We will explore the fascinating diversity of this region, while studying the conservation challenges confronting it. Through surveys of the biodiversity, and meetings with indigenous people, land-use managers, conservationists, and other stakeholders, we will analyze sustainable alternatives for the conservation of this world biodiversity hotspot.

Topics and places:

• Natural history and research techniques for birds, mammals, and other vertebrates as well as invertebrates and plants
• Ecology and conservation of Andean grasslands and cloud forest of Manu Biosphere Reserve
• Ecology and conservation of Amazon rainforest along the Madre de Dios River
• Traditional agriculture and resource use by Andean and Amazonian native communities
• Historical relationships of the Incas and the environment, & current tourism impacts on ecosystems around Machupicchu

More information on the program, application, costs, etc. can be found here
The course website is http://faculty.washington.edu/timbillo/

Info Session: Wed 17 Feb, 3-4 pm (POE Commons, Wallace Hall First floor)

THIS COURSE IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS UNTIL 4 MARCH. APPLY EARLY IF YOU CAN!