Earth Expeditions in Paraguay: Eco-Leadership

Nestled in the heart of South America, Paraguay is home to the beautifully delicate Cerrado, the lush Atlantic Forest, the challenging Gran Chaco, and other rare and secluded ecosystems that have received little study and deserve far more attention. Environmental awareness is on the rise in Paraguay, but it contends with increasingly strong pressure from population growth, agriculture, cattle ranching, hunting, and construction. The presence of conservation organizations in the country is quite limited, and there is a critical need to further understand and build on the traditionally close relationship between local people and the land on which they depend. Students in this course will have the unique opportunity to co-develop an Eco-Leadership program for Paraguay, working in partnership with Para La Tierra – a nonprofit conservation organization devoted to scientific research, conservation, and community engagement. Before and following the field experience in Paraguay, students will complete coursework via Dragonfly Workshops Web-Based Learning Community as they apply these experiences to their home institutions.