Summer primate field course in Ometepe, Nicaragua

Wonderful field course offered by the Maderas Rainforest Conservancy at Ometepe, Nicaragua:

Primate Behavior & Ecology with Dr. Katherine C. MacKinnon:
This field course is designed to give students an in-depth learning experience about primate behavior and ecology in a natural tropical setting. You will learn data collection techniques and socio-ecological theory, and will design and conduct your own independent research project. The course is equivalent to an upper-level university class in primatology, but with a greater emphasis on research design, field techniques, and data collection. There will be classroom lectures, presentations based on readings and projects, informal discussions out in the field, a series of group exercises in the forest, and an individual research project based on methodology and theory learned during the group projects, various readings and classroom lectures. Expect to be intellectually and physically challenged, but above all to have fun and an amazing summer in the rain forest!

Personal plug: I took this course as a graduate student and then came back years later as a TA. It is a wonderful site. Gorgeous setting, and unparalleled visual access to the howler monkeys. You or your students will enjoy this experience at this established and well-respected field site. Also, interested in being a TA or prof? Let the good people at MRC know!

Maderas Rainforest Conservancy Scholarship in Field Primatology

Great news for aspiring field primatologists! The American Society of Primatologists is teaming with the Maderas Rainforest Conservancy to offer a generous scholarship to undergraduate and graduate students to attend field school sessions at one of two sites: La Suerte, Costa Rica, and Ometepe, Nicaragua:

The scholarship provides full tuition for an approximately one month course including room and board (3 meals/day), instruction, access to all facilities at the field site and in-country transportation to and from the field site. Information about the history and location of the field sites, facilities, course offerings, course syllabi, research opportunities, primate species present, and a list of La Suerte/Ometepe teachers and alumni can be found at www.maderasrfc.org/Maderas_Rainforest_Conservancy/Home.html.

As an alum of the Ometepe course and a veteran teaching assistant of both Ometepe and La Suerte, I wholeheartedly endorse this program.