Baja: Master's Field Methods
| In Mexico: |
All Baja sections are open to 1st year GFP and current master's students; Baja III is open to new and returning Earth Expeditions participants as well. Baja I - May 20 - 28, 2012 Baja II - May 30 - June 7, 2012 Baja III - June 11-19, 2012 Baja IV - June 26 - July 4, 2012 Baja V - July 25 - August 2, 2012 (Dates listed show course start and end date) |
| At Home or School: | September - early December 2012 (Web-based Learning Community) |
| Credits: | 7 graduate credits from Miami University; course can be applied to Global Field Program. |
| Course Cost: | $1290 (in-country costs and Miami tuition inclusive) + airfare (if needed) to San Diego. Ground transportation to San Diego is also possible. |
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This course is designed for and limited to master’s students in the Global Field Program (GFP). Students in this foundation field course will gain proficiency in applying field methods to ecological questions and conservation practice. We will work in Bahía de los Ángeles, in the San Felipe Desert on the Sea of Cortez. A UNESCO World Heritage site and biosphere reserve, Bahía de los Ángeles is a unique ecoregion with remarkable marine and terrestrial (mainland and island) environments well suited to a broad range of studies. A premise of this course is that field methods are not only essential for ecological research, they can serve as the basis for participatory education, public engagement in science, and community-based environmental stewardship. Many groups, from teachers leading schoolyard ecology to parataxonomists involved in ethnobotanical research, share a need for reliable information obtained through robust field methods to build understanding and to promote informed action. Field methods—point sampling, capture/recapture, quadrant studies, pitfall traps, line transects, and others--are fundamental tools that allow investigators of all backgrounds to generate knowledge needed to become better informed environmental citizens. Prior to and following the field experience in Bahía de los Ángeles, students will complete coursework via Dragonfly Workshops Web-based learning community as they apply experiences to their home institutions. |
Course Themes
- Field methods
- Introduction to the ecology of desert & marine ecosystems
- Inquiry-driven learning
- Community-based conservation and participatory education
- Development of GFP Leadership Plan for each student
A typical Earth Expeditions day in Baja is likely to include:
- Study at field conservation sites
- Lectures
- Student-led discussions of key course topics
- Engagement with local communities
- Open inquiries
- Journal writing
[Click on an image to open it in a new window]
Baja California, Mexico
The rugged Baja peninsula extends 806 miles from the U.S. – Mexico border to its southernmost point at Cabo San Lucas. The peninsula is bordered on its west coast by the Pacific Ocean and on the east coast by the calmer waters of the Sea of Cortez. The land between these two bodies of water is remarkably varied from the forested high mountain ranges running through the central region, to the four desert sub-regions, each with its own distinct geography and flora, to the salt marshes and mangrove swamps of the coasts, to the arid tropical forests of the southern Cape region.
Planned Sites in Baja California, Mexico
Bahía de los Ángeles
The small fishing village of Bahía de los Ángeles is located in the San Felipe Desert on the shores of the Sea of Cortez. In contrast to the sparse desert landscape, the turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez are rich with life. Locals depend on the highly productive waters for their livelihood but commercial overfishing has made it increasingly difficult for residents to support themselves and has threatened many species living in the bay.
In recognition of the importance of Bahía de los Ángeles and surrounding areas, UNESCO designated the region a World Heritage Site in 2005: "The diversity of terrestrial and marine life is extraordinary and constitutes a unique ecoregion of high priority for biodiversity conservation." In 2007, Mexican President Felipe Calderon established the Bahía de Los Ángeles Biosphere Reserve. The reserve encompasses 957,660 acres of coastal, marine, and island ecosystems that provide habitat for a number of threatened and endangered species including whale sharks, eastern Pacific green sea turtles, fin whales, and killer whales. The area is often referred to as the “Galapagos” of Mexico for the spectacular nature of its scenery and the unique plant and animal species that inhabit the region.
(Course locations are subject to change.)
Web-based Learning Community
Before departing for Baja, students will join instructors and classmates in Project Dragonfly’s collaborative Web community to complete pre-trip assignments in preparation for the expedition. After returning to the United States, students will continue to work in their Web-based community from September through early December to develop projects initiated in the field, discuss assignments, and exchange ideas. All students should expect to spend two to three hours a week contributing to their learning community from their home or school computer. Navigating the Web platform is easy--it's designed for people with no prior computer experience. To learn more about this unique Web experience, visit dragonflyworkshops.org.
Cost: $1290 + Airfare (if needed) to San Diego, California
Ground transportation to San Diego is also possible.
Tuition for 7 graduate credits and all basic expenses in-country are covered in the $1290 course costs, including:
- Meals (incidental snacks and drinks not included)
- Lodging
- Field station fees
- Field equipment (as needed)
- Ground transportation (van, boat, train, etc., as needed)
- Park entrance and guide fees
Course costs do not cover personal expenses, such as gifts, or some ancillary costs, such as passport fees and course texts.
Financial Support
Because of support from Miami University and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, the course costs listed above are a fraction of actual program costs. Earth Expeditions recommends that accepted applicants to the program check with their school district or employer to see if professional development funds are available to further offset costs.
Click here for Grant Funding Tips.
Tuition costs:
Non-Miami University Participants
To support involvement by a broad range of individuals, Miami University currently offers a reduced tuition rate (included in the price above) for all Earth Expedition participants who are not full-time students at Miami University.
Airfare:
To estimate fares to San Diego, applicants may wish to visit an online fare finder or call a travel agent. Bear in mind that airlines have seasonal fluctuations in fares.
More Information
For more information on the admissions process, physical requirements, and more, please visit Admissions and/or FAQs.