Program Overview
Program Overview
Costa Rica emerged internationally as a leader in the environmental movement in the 1970s with its daring initiatives, as a developing country, to conserve vast areas of its natural capital. Nearly 25 percent of the land surface area is currently under protection, in national parks and private nature reserves. Some analysts assert that Costa Rica represents a “best case scenario” for sustainable development and conservation. However, there is much more to the conservation backstory than meets the eye and the future of biodiversity faces greater uncertainty than ever before. During this seminar, we’ll explore issues surrounding conservation policy and practice, as well as existing controversies, in the country that environmentalists around the world are watching with great interest.
Program Activities
Program Activities
Lectures from researchers and scientists, group discussions with program participants, and on-site visits to national parks and private nature reserves will facilitate participants’ understanding of the threats posed by global climate change for local biodiversity; government conservation incentives, such as the Ecological Services Payments Program; and the potential of tourism to generate revenues and achieve biodiversity protection. Participants will also learn about a controversial project to open Rincón de la Vieja National Park for the exploitation of geothermal energy.
Program Objectives
Program Objectives
During this seminar, participants will:
- Gain insight into Costa Rican environmental policy and practice as applied to both public and private lands.
- Debate the pros and cons of public vs. private conservation efforts with individuals involved with both types of efforts.
- Critically evaluate trade-offs between “green” energy and habitat protection.
- Acquire knowledge about government-sponsored economic incentives for conservation and directly engage with individuals benefiting from them.
- Analyze the costs and benefits of tourism in the context of environmental protection.
- Develop an understanding of climatological and biological aspects of climate change in the tropics, and analyze the potential for climate change mitigation or adaptation.
Seminar Locations
Seminar Locations
Based in Monteverde with excursions to nearby reserves and parks; participants fly in and out of San Jose.