Field Courses :

Each year DANTA offers a number of field courses in various aspects of tropical biology. Typically, the courses are one month long but shorter courses are also offered through our organization. The courses are intended for undergraduates or early graduate level students who are very interested in tropical biology, but have little or no experience of working in a tropical environment. Below are descriptions of the courses and travel opportunities that will be offered in 2008.

Primate Behavior and Conservation (December 28, 2007 – January 17, 2008 and June 9 – July 6, 2008)

This course is designed to provide students with field experience in primate behavior, ecology, and conservation. This intensive 28 day course will be conducted at El Zota Biological Field Station in the Northeastern part of Costa Rica. The learning experiences for the course fall into four main categories: field exercises, seminars, lectures, and independent research. The field exercises and seminars provide instruction and experience in: (1) methods of measuring environmental variables, including assessment of resource availability, (2) methods of collecting and analyzing the behavior of free-ranging primates, (3) mapping a field site, and (4) techniques for estimating population size. Lecture topics will cover the behavior and ecology of Old and New World primates from an evolutionary perspective. Selected lecture topics include primate sociality, foraging behavior, cognition, and conservation. The course will also guide students through the process of designing and carrying out their own research projects. In addition, students will gain experience in applied primate conservation during a course trip to the Caribbean coast. Enrollment is limited to a maximum of 25 students. The course is open to both credit and non-credit seeking students. Credit seeking students can receive 3-6 credit hours directly through the State University of New York at Oneonta. Alternatively, independent study credit can be obtained through your home institutions.

For more information please download our course packet.  

Tropical Biology and Conservation (July 15 - August 11, 2008)

During this intensive 28 day course students will gain first-hand experience of how to work as a field biologist in a tropical rain forest environment. The course will be conducted at El Zota Biological Field Station in the Northeast of Costa Rica. The emphasis throughout the course will be on how to acquire information that will be of value from the perspective of conservation. Firstly, this will involve learning about the rain forest itself, and about the plants and animals that inhabit it. For example, how do you estimate how many species are present? How do you census populations of endangered or ecologically important species? How do you manage the forest to improve the quality of the habitat? At the same time, you will be introduced to a myriad of specialized and unique organisms and, of course, we will not neglect the opportunity to explore some of the most fascinating aspects of rain forest natural history.

Secondly, you will also learn that rain forests do not exist in a vacuum isolated from human interests. Therefore, time will be devoted to looking at reasons why rain forests are so threatened on a local, national (Costa Rican) and worldwide scale. We will discuss how the future existence of rain forests is dependant on the value that they hold for human populations, and how strategies can be implemented to ensure that the demands of people and of rain forests are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

Each day during the early part of the course will comprises of forest hikes, ecological methods seminars, participation in group field projects and indoor lectures covering various aspects of tropical ecology, natural history and conservation. During the latter part of the course, students will be given the opportunity to carry out their own research projects. Guest lecturers with specialist interests will be invited to supplement the teaching from the core faculty. Although most of the course will take place at the field station in Caribbean lowlands, we will also visit other ecosystems in Costa Rica. Although the precise locations for these excursions are subject to change, we typically visit an active volcano, a highland cloud forest and a coastal national park. Enrollment is limited to 25 students. The course is open to both credit and non-credit seeking students. Credit seeking students can receive 3 credit hours directly through the State University of New York at Oneonta. Alternatively, independent study credit can be obtained through your home institution.

For more information please download our course packet

DANTA's Ecotravel Experience (July 7 - July 14, 2008)

As one of our fundraising events this year, DANTA is offering a one week ecotravel experience to some of Costa Rica’s most spectacular sites. The trip includes a visit to an active volcano, Volcan Arenal, a 2 night stay in the majestic cloud forest of Volcan Poas, and a 4 night stay at Manuel Antonio National Park on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Field trips are open to members of the general public. It is particularly suited to DANTA field course participants who wish to travel before or after their courses. The price of the trip is $850, and it includes all within country transportation, room and board, all park entrance fees, and a dolphin or mangrove day trip. The price does not include international airfare or airport taxes. The deadline for registration is May 15, 2008. For more information please download our Trip Itinerary