State University of New York at Brockport
ER-12: Sustainability Immersive Experience

This course provides students with the opportunity to actively participate in conservation work on a biological reserve in one of 14 mega diverse countries in the world. The cloud forest region of Ecuador is an important bird area and host a wealth of organisms. Students learned and actively participated in discussions of the economic, environmental and social equity issues that affect this mega-diverse area of the world. Students work alongside other volunteers from around the world (Latvia, UK, Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand, etc.) on conservation projects such as reforestation, sustainability and community development. Students will have an opportunity to experience many different cultures while participating in this course. General Course Objectives: •Create an operational definition for sustainability. •Identify and apply the concept of sustainability to the economy, environment and human development in Ecuador. • Learn and apply techniques for conservation on a biological reserve in the cloud forest of Ecuador. •Learn about biodiversity of the cloud forest region and be able to distinguish unique characteristics. •Learn and apply sustainable farming techniques on a biological reserve in the cloud forest of Ecuador. •Travel to and learn about culturally important areas within Ecuador (Banos, Mitad del Mundo, Quito, Otavalo). Course Structure: The course format will incorporate hands-on learning, conservation field work, lectures from the Reserve Director (biodiversity of Cloud forest, policy and politics of Ecuador, reforestation efforts, etc.), and an journal article review of relevant topics in the region (pesticide use, watershed conservation, policy of government intervention, etc.). The first week will consist of work on the reserve morning and afternoon followed by lectures and group reflection in the evening. The second week will consist of both conservation techniques on the reserve followed by independent research project development and work culminating with a formal presentation at Scholar’s Day. Students will be required to keep a field notebook of daily activities and reflections, review and disseminate a journal article and actively participate in group discussion of economics, environment and social equity of the region. Additionally, students will choose a topic with which to research on site for a final paper and presentation after the course has returned.