Canopy Access Field Course in Panama

[Melanie Colón]

2013 SUMMER COURSE ANNOUNCEMENT (June 15-July 9)

TROPICAL RAINFOREST CANOPY ACCESS TECHNIQUES (CAT B-13),
http://www.itec-edu.org/canopy.html

COURSE LOCATION: Bocas del Toro Biological Station, Boca del Drago, Isla
Colon, Republic of Panama. The biological station is located on a hill
facing the Caribbean Sea and is surrounded by tropical lowland wet forest.
Forest types are diverse at the station and include mature wet forest,
Raphia swamps and mangrove forests.  See: http://www.itec-edu.org/index.html
http://www.itec-edu.org/index.html> for details.

INSTRUCTOR: Joe Maher, (jmahertreeclimbercoalition.org)Tree Climber
Coalition, http://www.treeclimbercoalition.org/ and the Institute for
Tropical Ecology and Conservation (ITEC).  Phn: 706-216-2402.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to provide students with the
methodology and expertise necessary to explore and conduct research in the
tropical forest canopy. The course involves a hands-on approach to the
techniques necessary for accessing the canopy as well as lectures on various
topics relating to climbing techniques, safety while climbing, facilitation
of climbing activities, and combining scientific research with climbing.
This course is the equivalent of the Basic Canopy Climbing Course, the
Canopy Access Technicians Course, and the Facilitators Course, all done
back-to-back over the length of the session. Certification confirming
participation in the course will be awarded to those completing the course
satisfactorily.  For more information, contact Joe Maher.

BOQUETE CLOUD FOREST FIELD TRIP: This three-day field trip will take place
midway through the course and will allow students the opportunity to
experience tropical cloud and seasonal forests. We travel in ITEC boats to
the mainland and then by private bus to the town of Boquete which lies at
the base of 11,000 ft Volcan Baru. The bus trip will take us up and over
the central mountain range and through remote Palo Seco National Park.
Several stops will be made in route.

TUITION: $2050 USD. Tuition fee includes all lodging, meals and airport
transfers in Bocas del Toro. The tuition also covers transportation and
lodging during the 3-day cloud forest field trip on the mainland.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 15, 2013. The course is limited to 10 students
and applications will be evaluated as they arrive. If you believe that your
application may arrive late, notify ITEC.

APPLICATION DETAILS, CONTACT: Institute for Tropical Ecology and
Conservation, 2911 NW 40th PL, Gainesville, FL 32605, 352-367-9128

treeclimbercoalition.org> , http://www.itec-edu.org/index.html.
http://www.itec-edu.org/index.html.>