July 23 - San José
Upon arrival at the Juan Santamaría International Airport, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the Casa Conde Apartotel. This evening we will have a welcome orientation in which GLOBE country coordinator Roberto Quirós Araya will be introducing the educators from Costa Rica and giving a brief overview of the GLOBE program and the Omar Dengo Foundation of Costa Rica. Additionally, Dr. Manuel Spínola of the International Institute in Wildlife Management and Conservation at the National University, Costa Rica will give a talk on important research and conservations efforts ongoing in Costa Rica. Overnight Casa Conde Apartotel (D)
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July 24 - Tortuguero
Prepare for an early morning departure as you head to the Caño Blanco dock in the Caribbean lowlands. Board a boat and transfer to Tortuguero National Park, enjoying breakfast en route. As you journey along the northern Caribbean Coast, observe a series of natural interconnecting
canals and wildlife inhabitants. During the transfer you will begin to explore the importance of water conservation, from the perspective of local communities dependent on healthy water environments to challenges facing water quality management in rivers throughout Costa Rica. Key to this discussion is the significance of international
water conservation practices. In addition to boasting 300 species of birds, Tortuguero is part of a significant coastal route for birds
migrating between North and South America. Following check in at the Evergreen Lodge, you will meet with a Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) research biologist for an overview of their research and an orientation to turtle tagging that will prepare you for your first evening of green
turtle monitoring and tagging tonight. Tortuguero Beach is the most important nesting site of the endangered green turtle in the western hemisphere. Overnight Evergreen Lodge (BLD)
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July 25 - Tortuguero
This morning after breakfast take the opportunity to explore the rainforest and biodiversity of the local environment. Then visit a local school in the village of Tortuguero for an introduction to the relationship between research and local educational practices. This afternoon return to STC’s biological field station for a comprehensive discussion about the role of research within the global community. Following the discussion, return to Evergreen Lodge to enjoy the first of many "daily downloads." Today’s discussion focuses on mapping migratory data of green sea turtles and assimilating data in science classrooms. Spend the rest of the day at leisure in preparation for this evening’s research. Overnight Evergreen Lodge (BLD)
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July 26 - Tortuguero
After a leisurely breakfast you will attend a lecture, "Historical Development of Tortuguero." After lunch, spend the late afternoon exploring Tortuguero National Park. Literally translated "place of turtles," Tortuguero is a crucial ancestral nesting site for populations of Leatherback, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, and of course, Atlantic Green Sea Turtles. The waters of Tortuguero’s interconnected canals and lagoons contain more than 30 species of freshwater fish including the garfish. A boat ride through the winding water channels provides an unforgettable glimpse into the ecosystem and its wild inhabitants. Return for the "daily download" and spend the rest of the evening at leisure to relax and journal before a final night of applied research. Overnight Evergreen Lodge (BLD)
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July 27 - Arenal
After breakfast, depart from Tortuguero to Arenal. En route, gather water quality data for comparison. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then depart to Arenal. Upon arrival in Arenal, check in to the Arenal
Paraiso Hotel, situated over many acres of geothermal activity and overlooking the volcano. In the evening, gather for a lecture by a local Volcanologist. The lecture will touch on the importance of geologic formations such as volcanic structures, geothermal energies, and plate tectonics in Costa Rica. After dinner, spend the remainder of the evening at leisure, enjoying the Paraiso’s private geothermal pools and catching up on journals. Overnight Arenal Paraiso (BLD)
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July 28 - Arenal
This morning explorations will commence with a hike in Arenal National Park. Continuously active since 1968, at only 10,000 years old Arenal is young as volcanoes go. The hike will take you through forest, over recent lava flows, and finally to the destroyed forest areas that are now in the process of regeneration. This path will give you an excellent opportunity
to take photos of the volcano and Lake Arenal. Afterwards, return to the hotel for the daily download session. Spend your final evening in Arenal admiring the view of the volcano. Overnight Arenal Paraiso (BLD)
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July 29 - Monteverde
After breakfast, depart from Arenal and cross Lake Arenal en route to Monteverde. The subject in a nationwide hydroelectric project, Lake Arenal was enlarged to three times its original size in 1979 and now produces 70% of Costa Rica’s electricity. After crossing, continue to the montane (cloud) forest of Monteverde. Due to it’s high altitude, Monteverde’s cool and wet environment receives more than three meters of rain annually and is home to over 2,500 plant species. Upon arrival in Monteverde, one of the Monteverde Institute coordinators will provide an
introduction to the research and important work of this organization. The Monteverde Institute collaborates with schools and universities from around the world to host academic programs addressing global
issues of sustainability, retaining a local focus on the environmental and cultural needs of the Monteverde region. Later enjoy a workshop on Biological Corridors with Deb. Hamilton. This will be an activity enabling the group to take the teaching techniques acquired and apply them to your respective curriculums at home. Overnight DeLucia Inn (BLD)
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July 30 - Monteverde
Today’s research includes the Integrated Water Resources Program (IWRP). The IWRP incorporates education, applied research, and community engagement into a dynamic program that advances scientific
knowledge and sustainable management of water resources. After a lecture on stream sampling given by Justin Welch, work on a field activity to learn what MVI does with the local high school students. After lunch participate in a discussion on Analysis of Data and local challenges with water management. This afternoon visit Strangular figs for a reflection activity. Overnight DeLucia Inn (BLD)
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July 31 - San José
This morning you will take an interpretive field hike in the cloud forest before departing for San José. Lunch will be provided en route, in addition to a stop in a local artisan community for cultural exchange. Upon your late afternoon arrival in San José you will have time to rest before your farewell dinner and a presentation by the GLOBE country coordinator. During your farewell dinner, recap and share final program outcomes and reflections with program staff including Roberto Quirós Araya. This evening we bid a fond farewell to program participants and to Costa Rica a heartfelt hasta luego!
Overnight Casa Conde Apartotel (BLD)
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August 01 - San José
This morning you will be transferred to the San José International Airport for your flight home. (B)
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