Exploring Science in our World:  Ecology in Context

Mérida, Venezuela
May 29-June 15, 2008

3 credits (GNED 261 or BIOL 495)

Study and explore ecology in a setting rich in diverse landscapes and innumerable species of flora and fauna.

Course Descriptions: (coming soon!)  (3 credits)
GNED 261 "Exploring Science in our World:  Ecology in Context." 
or  BIOL 495 “Tropical Ecology” 
Dr. Alix Fink. 

GNED 261 is open to any student and fulfills General Education "Goal 6 Natural Science."

BIOL 495 is for majors and minors in Biology and will fulfill the field course requirement.  The course will be taught in English.  There will be required class meetings and readings before departure and there may be an assignment to be completed upon return.  Course description, syllabus and requirements TBA.

Accommodations:  Hotel 1 night in Miami; Camp in Los Llanos; homestays in Mérida, with 3 meals per day; dormitory accommodations at Biological Station, with meals, hotel 1 night in Miami on return.

Cost:  $2,500** Program Cost includes:
- Round-trip airfare Richmond-Miami-Caracas-Mérida
- Hotel accommodation in Miami (one night each way)
- Airport pick-up in Merida and/or *El Vigia
- Homestay with 3 meals in Mérida; dormitory accommodations at National Park Henry Pittier
- Classes and field work in and around Mérida, Los Llanos, and Bio Station in National Park Henry Pittier; Bio Station fees
- Cultural activities
- Ground Transportation from Merida to Bio Station in Henry Pittier (approx 12-hour drive, 4am Merida departure)
- Ground Transportation from Henri Pittier to Caracas Airport (approx 6-hour drive)

**Cost is approximate and may change due to price of airfare or currency fluctuations.

Tuition is not included in the above cost

VENUSA Orientation Power Point

For more information:

Dr. Alix Fink (finkad@longwood.edu) (434) 395-2576
Dr. Lily Anne Goetz  (goetzla@longwood.edu)  (434) 395-2158

VENUSA

Your homestay in Mérida:

Henry Pittier Park was created in February 13,1937. It is located in the north-central region of Venezuela, in the State of Aragua. It covers an area of 107,800 hectares, including a considerable stretch of the Coastal Range. It has an abrupt topography with steep slopes. Its highest elevation is the Pico Cenizo (246 m.). Nearby villages include Choroni, Cuyagua, Chuao, Cata, La Cienaga, Ocumare, and Turiamo. It has many water courses, and is rich in fauna and vegetation. There are large trees, arboreal ferns, and several species of ornamental plants, the most notable of which is a rare plant with gigantic leaves scientifically known as Gunnera pittierana, which is endemic.

Wild fauna is very varied, including many species of birds, such as curassows, guans, parakeets, hawks, toucans, oropendolas, tinamous, parrotlets, owls, anthrushes, bellbirds, manakins, jays, caciques, chachalacas, and woodpeckers. Mammals include tapirs, otters, pumas, ocelots, pacas, kinkajous, coatis, brockets, tamanduas, and tree porcupines. The most numerous serpents are corals, rattlesnakes, and several species of nonpoisonous snakes. There are several species of lizards and an unusual amphibian, the marsupial frog.

The Estación Biologica de Rancho Grande is located within the park. It has a very complete zoological museum with the typical species of the zone. This park may be reached by an asphalt road joining Maracay and El Limón, passing through Rancho Grande and descending to Ocumare de la Costa or else through the road connecting Maracay with Las Delicias and going as far as Choroní, crossing the park.

Links:

Information on The Andes