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Galapagos Field Course Spring 2013

Galapagos Field Course Spring 2013. Maybe some things you didn ’ t know about the Galapagos. About 25,000 people live permanently on the islands. 3 airports (2 serve to the mainland). Receives > 100,000 visitors each year. There are medical facilities on the inhabited islands.

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Galapagos Field Course Spring 2013

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  1. Galapagos Field Course Spring 2013

  2. Maybe some things you didn’t know about the Galapagos • About 25,000 people live permanently on the islands. • 3 airports (2 serve to the mainland). • Receives > 100,000 visitors each year. • There are medical facilities on the inhabited islands.

  3. Dr. Bush’s experience • I am a professor in the Biological Sciences department at Florida Tech specializing in tropical ecology. • I have been led more than 30 expeditions to the tropics since 1983. • I have ongoing research projects on the Galapagos and have been there as a research scientist 5 times. • I have also led 4 tours to the islands for the Florida Institute of Technology. • My daughter is at Holy Trinity and it seemed to me that it would be good to offer a trip for the HTEA community.

  4. 2013 Galapagos Field Course Information • Led by Dr. Bush, Mr. Lovelace and Mrs Hendren. • Feb 16th - Feb 24th, 2013: Fieldwork phase. • The 8 days of field experience will be preceded by course work, and there will be follow-up projects. • We will visit 3 inhabited islands and have day trips to 3 uninhabited ones.

  5. Objectives To use the unique setting of the Galapagos islands to excite students about Biology, Climatology, Geology, Geography, and Environmental Science.

  6. Geology • Island biogeography • The unique plants and animals • Marine and land ecosystems • Climate impacts on populations • Conservation Major topics

  7. Island-hopping Cost • $3200 (covers all flights, transportation, accommodation, meals, park fees, and tips). • $1500 non-refundable deposit due Sep 15th (first come, first served). • Passport information due October 20th, 2012 • Balance due October 30th, 2012 • If 15 students do not sign-up, the trip will not take place and deposits will be refunded.

  8. Insurance • Each student will be required to take out travel and health insurance (usually about $20). Dietary restrictions are accommodated, but you must tell us what they are in advance

  9. Who can go? Anyone who can swim and is able to climb in and out of a boat.

  10. What we do Every day will feature hiking and/or swimming. There will be a lot of educational content…this is not a vacation!

  11. Where we go We will fly Orlando - Guayaquil, Ecuador, and overnight there on the way to and from the islands.

  12. Surf and turf There will be an equal emphasis on terrestrial and marine systems

  13. Snorkeling (not diving) You will need a wetsuit, snorkel, mask and fins…..a 3mm full suit (not hood) is recommended, but a shorty is OK. We will see sharks (all harmless white-tips or small Galapagos sharks), rays, sea-lions, grouper, snapper, surgeonfish, damsel fish, butterfly fish, puffers, morays, green sea-turtle and many invertebrates.

  14. On land we will see: Giant tortoise, land iguana, marine iguana, lava lizard, Galapagos mockingbird (2 or 3 species), three species of booby, Galapagos finches (probably 4-6 species), Galapagos penguin, Giant Opuntia cactus, and many other unique plants. We will visit a giant tortoise breeding facility, an active volcano, and a range of habitats from misty uplands to dry deserts and lava flows.

  15. Typical Day • Start early! • Wake up at about 6.30 AM, breakfast at 7 AM • Snorkel, hike, boat ride, run for your life, etc. (with lunch somewhere in there) • Note: We do one 12 mile hike. We hike in rain, cloud, burning sun, whatever it throws at us • Dinner/Chatting/Project work/Lecture until ~9 PM or later • Sleep and repeat

  16. Accomodation Macaw Hostal, Guayaquil We stay in small hotels (triples and quadruples). Hotels are basic but clean.

  17. Casa de Laura, San Cristobal

  18. Hotel Gran Tortuga, Isabela

  19. La Peregrina, Santa Cruz

  20. The march to Serra Negra Why would you do this to yourself? Because you can!!!

  21. Local transportation is colorful. We will also have two local guides who are trained and employed by Galapagos National Park.

  22. Galápagos Penguins! Marine Iguana! Make new friends

  23. Bring your sense of ADVENTURE!

  24. Noteworthy points • We are getting a heavily discounted group rate: The cheapest 8-day land-based tours available to a family are $2900 + airfare, tips, and park fees, i.e. $4300, we are able to offer a better trip at a $900 discount. • Flights from Orlando • Expert-led tour • Integration to classwork

  25. Questions? Send me an e-mail: mbush@fit.edu

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