Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Environmental Processes and Problems in the Galapagos Islands
August 21 to September 20, 2006
Program Director Roy Carpenter ~ Oceanography

Following fifteen hours of preparatory classes in Seattle, 13 UW students and Professor Carpenter will fly to the Galapagos Islands via Quito, Ecuador. We will spend the next nine days on and sailing between the Galapagos Islands. University level, English-speaking Ecuadorian naturalist guides trained by the Charles Darwin Research Station will lead the UW group during their time in Galapagos. Each night they will explain the especially significant biological and geological features to be seen the next day. We will first explore the largest inhabited island (Santa Cruz), including a guided visit to the Darwin Research Station, to learn about both giant tortoise and iguana breeding programs and other efforts to preserve and restore the unique flora and fauna of these islands. We will then sail between the islands mostly at night and go ashore twice each day at different island visitor sites, including some visited by Darwin on his famous Beagle cruise. We will use a steel hulled yacht built specifically for Galapagos island service, and which includes all modern navigation instrumentation and safety features.

Students will learn the fascinating geological and biological history of these islands including the plate tectonic processes that formed them, the biological processes that first colonized them and then led to development of their unique flora and fauna. Students will read sections of Darwin’s book Voyage of the Beagle. Students will also learn the sensitivity of these ecosystems to El Nino events and global warming, the status of Ecuadorian efforts to reduce the already severe impacts of introduced, non-native species and of over-harvesting of fish and sea cucumbers, and how preservation of the unique ecosystems is complicated by differing & often contentious attitudes of people from more developed societies, of people from mainland Ecuador and of people living on Galapagos.

Participants will receive 5 credits in: Oceanography (OCEAN) 240, Contemporary Issues in Oceanography (NW). Participants should also check with their academic advisors to determine how these credits may apply to major requirements.

Student Costs:
$ 3,650 Program Fee
$ 200 IPE fee.
Additional costs include return travel to Ecuador, health insurance and vaccines, some meals, course materials and personal expenses.

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