This spring West Virginia University students will have the opportunity to go on an ecotourism adventure to Nicaragua as part of a new study abroad program offered by the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design.

Led by Sheldon Owen, assistant professor and wildlife specialist with WVU Extension Service, and EcoQuest Travel, Expedition Nicaragua 2015 – Land of Wildlife, Coffee and Volcanoes is a three-credit, 10-day program open to all WVU students.

From March 20-29, 2015, students will explore many of Nicaragua’s unique habitats and uncover much of its vertebrate life including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Students will begin their journey at Finca Esperanza Verde, an award-winning shadecoffee plantation and ecolodge. Located in the Matagalpa highlands, Finca Esperanza Verde straddles an area where both Caribbean slope and Pacific slope fauna come together.

From there the group will travel to a wild and remote area along the San Juan River that offers a chance to observe rare and seldom seen species and to experience the incredible biodiversity of the wet forests.

The trip will conclude at the Montibelli Private Reserve with the exploration of the highly endangered, dry tropical forests of the Pacific Slope.

For additional information or to apply, click here, or contact Dr. Owen at Sheldon.Owen@mail.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

law/12/17/14

CONTACT: Lindsay Willey, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design
304-293-2381, Lindsay.Willey@mail.wvu.edu

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