Eco-Adventure Ecuador

This is a 10 day place study of Ecuador's "Choco" region. The tropical rain forests of northwest South America fall within the Chocó-Darien Global Ecoregion (CGE). The CGE is one of Earth's 36 global biodiversity hotspots. The Choco is prioritized for conservation due to its high species variety and endemism. Experience these unique landscapes through trekking, climbing, community projects and more. Using this new understanding of place, students get to create a "mock business plan" for an enterprise that generates 7 additional forms of capital, beyond financial. Participate in a study of endemic birds and meet with naturalists to learn about the last species of bear in the Andes. Upon completion of the expedition and curriculum requirements, participants are eligible to earn college credit from Western Colorado University's Extend Studies program.