A total of 424 students and teachers participated in 32 Mexico Field Ecology courses in 2017. We offer three unique field programs in Mexico to engage Mexican and U.S. students in authentic conservation and research projects through four- to nine-day inquiry-based science and service field courses. The three focus areas are: population ecology of cetaceans in the Gulf of California, sea turtles and water quality in Magdalena Bay, and benthic marine invertebrates in reef ecosystems. Participants complete more than 40 hours of research and 30 hours of inquiry-based coursework in biology, desert ecology, and sustainability.

Ecology ProjEctI N T E R N A T I O N A L

MExico FiEld Ecology

2017 MExico FiEld PrograMs

Participants record data on invertebra

tes

ParticiPants at-a-glancE

Coastal Marine Ecosystem Ecology

On reefs surrounding Espiritu Santo Island and along the coastal corridor between Loreto and Cabo San Lucas in the Gulf of California, EPI participants conduct invertebrate censuses, by helping Dr. Dinorah Herrero collect species diversity and abundance data that contributes to policy-making decisions regarding the management of marine protected areas, including Espiritu Santo Archipelago National Park. Two of the nearly two dozen species they study are listed as threatened and others are commercially important for the regional economy. Students also supported fisheries through a new partnership with Dr. Adrián Munguia. Using cutting-edge science, they helped test a new tool that assesses marine biodiversity with environmental DNA.

Whale Ecology

EPI students have the incredibly unique opportunity to participate in a whale population study directed by Marine Mammal Research Program (PRIMMA) scientist Dr. Jorge Urban at the University of Southern Baja California (UABCS). Students help research assistants collect whale sighting and water temperature data, and learn how to take biopsies and photograph whale fins to identify individuals. This study provides almost 40% of the data used by the Mexican government’s species conservation program (PACE) to establish a new humpback whale refuge near Cabo Pulmo in the Gulf of California, and to establish a set of regulations regarding whale tourism. EPI students contributed a total of 24 field days to this research project in 2017.

1% from 2016

12% from 2016

63% from 2016

339

85

2,350

LocaL ParticiPants

Visiting ParticiPants

ParticiPant fieLd days

Students work with scientists to identify a blue whale

looking ahEad

Next season we will implement a new research and education component focused on reptiles in order to connect the marine and terrestrial environments.

“This experience changed my whole perspective. Now I know that all of us can make a difference for the planet.” ~Student from La Paz, Mexico

Magdalena Bay Ecology

Sea turtles face continued threats due to overfishing, marine pollution, loss of habitat, and more. Since 2011, EPI students have partnered with Grupo Tortuguero to engage in a sea turtle monitoring project that involves both fishermen and conservationists on Magdalena Bay. This project provides critical data that contributes to policy-

making decisions regarding sea turtle conservation and provides a sustainable source of income for fishermen as an alternative to activities that might harm turtle populations.

EPI students contributed a total of 24 hours to this research project.

This was our students’ first year collecting data for a water quality study in collaboration with Water Keepers. EPI students collected samples at 11

different sites in the area.

nEw and notablE

This year, we began a new environmental DNA project in collaboration with Dr. Adrián Munguia. Students filter water samples and record environmental DNA to monitor the diversity and abundance of fish species in the Gulf of California, where students also conduct invertebrate censuses. The DNA sampling compliments the census transects and will create a more comprehensive understanding of the diversity of the fisheries and reef ecosystem, and changes over time.

Helmsley Charitable TrustInternational Community

Foundation - Candeo FundWalton Family Foundation

Carlos Slim Foundation

Our Funders

sPEcial thanks

Comunidad y Biodiversidad A.C. Conservation Genetics Lab of the

University of Arizona Grupo Tortuguero

NiparajáPRIMMA/UABCSWater Keepers

Wild Coast

Our Partners

Marine invertebrate census for reef management notablE PrograM outcoMEs

student enVironmentaL Literacy scores

2,328number of benthic marine inVertebrates registered

number of WhaLes sighted/monitored 163Students hike to learn more about th

e lo

cal e

cosy

stem

7%