|
 In
keeping with our interest to promote the conservation of our natural
resources, since 1997 we have several educational programs specifically
designed for high school students, university students, and any
group of interested people.
These
programs are designed as workshops, to develop a better comprehension
of the amazon rainforest environment, with the aim to stimulate
awareness memorable travel
experience. (
photo Stanford Univ. course)
Each
workshop is comprised of a set of activities
that
cover all aspects of the rainforest environment: natural history
(involving general ecology), adaptations and field methods for the
study of plants and animals (advised by field biologists and field
guides), cultural history (including visits to local colonists and
native communities to learn how they have adapted to live in the
rainforest), and economic history (studying the principal products
extracted from the region such as gold and Brazilian nuts).
San
Silvestre students (annual course)
 Each
group of students is divided into teams of 5 or 6, to participate
in each activity. This will provide for a better experience and
increase the efficiency of communication with the instructor and
safety during field activities.
Workshops
are taught by a team of professional guides and specialized biologists.
Each field instructor has several years of experience teaching high
school and undergraduate university students.
Currently some
of these activities are part of an ongoing research project and
data obtained through the workshops are preliminary analyzed at
the end of each activity. A report that further contributes to our
knowledge of the local area is then produced and copies are send
to workshop participants.
The
benefit of these workshops is that they are each based on a special
theme. They can be held at several levels and be adapted to cover
different aspects of the theme.
The
participant will benefit from direct hands-on experience with the
natural and cultural environment of this amazon rainforest region.
This will also increase one's opportunity for wildlife encounters.
Science
benefits because the activities are generally part of a research
project either in progress or generated by the workshop. This results
in unexpected field opportunities for researchers and their assistants.
Usually, as part of each activity, the researcher in charge obtains
data for their personal project in addition to generating new knowledge
for science. Part of the income from these workshops is used to
provide financial support for transportation, lodging, food and
salary for young researchers. Biology, forestry, and sociology are
some of the developing research areas.
For
environmental education, the participants and the local people are
effectively educated as to why it is so important to conserve the
rainforest.
With
these workshops, WASAI Lodge & Expeditions is developing a type
of local grass-roots organization for the conservation of
areas we visit and work in. We hope to stimulate similar interest
in other eco tourism
enterprises
in the amazon region.
Security
: Each workshop is planned to provide a secure environment with
comfortable conditions for the well-being of the participants. Some
activities require strenuous activity such as long walks through
the forest, while others involve only short walks around the lodge
or sitting in a boat.
Our
instructors are specialists in Amazonian field work and they have
the necessary training to respond in any emergency during activities.
Furthermore, our teams all carry the recommended emergency equipment.
Rates
: Educational courses are very important to us and we would like
to encourage the use of our facilities for such purposes by keeping
our rates as low as possible. A regular Rainforest Workshop for
a group of 20 students costs approximately US $360 per person for
a 6 day program.
Please
contact our Environmental Affairs Advisor for special rates
wasai@wasai.com |
