Course on mycoremediation being offered this winter in Ecuador

[TastyBeverage]

I was surfing around on Facebook and found this class being offered to go to the rainforest in Ecuador for several weeks this winter. The course studies methods of using mycology to clean up oil contamination sites and is offered primarily in English. It is open to any level of student from undergrad to grad to 'i like shrooms and i got the tuition right here'.

Description:

The Cloud Forest Institute in collaboration with the Amazon Mycorenewal Project and The Clean Up Oil Waste Project invite undergraduate, graduate and lifelong students to attend our 2009 Winter Service Learning Course on Ecuadorian Political Ecology, Oil Pollution, and Mycoremediation.

Mycoremediation is a developing scientific field experimenting with mushrooms to sequester toxins. We are experimenting with mycelia in Ecuador in an effort to clean up billions of gallons of toxic oil wastes left behind by Chevron Texaco during its 20 years of operation there (for which the company is currently on trial in perhaps the largest environmental lawsuit in history).

This course will take students to Quito, Lago Agrio, Mindo and Cuyabeno to experience the striking biological and cultural diversity of Ecuador's many regions including the Andes Mountains and Amazon Rainforest. Students will participate in the development of ground breaking mycoremediation technology and study Latin American political ecology. Service learning with local community members will help heal lands polluted by the oil industry. Students can receive independent study credit through their existing college or universities.

Participating in this workshop, you can engage in these following activities:

1) Research and apply mycoremediation research being conducted in a tropical ecosystem for the first time.

2) Assist with hydrocarbon sampling in ongoing mycoremediation research in Lago Agrio.

3) Earn university credit while gaining valuable experience in commerical mushroom cultivation.

4) Gain international work experience in mycology and remediation.

5) Work with techniques used to acclimate mycelium to metabolize petroleum waste.

6) Monitor field and laboratory sites in Quito & the Amazon.

7) Identify native mushrooms in Amazonian & Andean Rainforest environments.

8) Learn about the history of Ecuador's petroleum industry from community leaders affected by contamination.

9) Study shamanism with local community leaders.

Students may enroll in four week-long sections individually or for the entire month long course in which we will examine Ecuadorian cultural traditions, political ecology, oil economics, toxicity and bioremediation. You may also pick and choose which courses you would like to attend in sections of one-week, individually.

COURSE DESCRIPTION & ITINERARY*

A Country Study: Introduction to Ecuadorian Culture, History and Ecology

Monday, December 14th: Arrive in Quito, evening introductions, welcome and orientation. Tuesday, December 15th: Morning tour through colonial Quito, we spend the first day learning about Ecuador's history and culture, including do's and taboo's and the importance of respectful behavior while in a foreign country. Afternoon travel to Lago Agrio for the first Mycorenewal Workshop.

Section 1 - Field Study: Mycorenewal of Toxic Sites Wednesday, December 16th - Monday, December 22nd

Students journey to Lago Agrio with the Amazon Mycorenewal Project. This Service Learning mycoremediation course will run in conjunction with community workshops training locals to utilize mycorenewal techniques to clean toxic petroleum pollution. A seed germination toxicity experiment will be installed to test the effectiveness of previous AMP experiments of soil mycoremediation by observing seed ability to germinate and grow. This will take place during two week-long workshops.

Section 2 - Cloud Forest Conservation Holiday Retreat Tuesday, December 23rd - Sunday, December 28th

While the seeds germinate, students journey to Mindo where they enjoy the cloud forest while learning about Ecuador's incredibly diverse ecology. Students will be able to participate in a wide range of activities while in Mindo including bird watching, hiking, mushroom hunting, river rafting, visiting waterfalls, orchid and butterfly attractions, and just relaxing by the riverside amongst the butterflies and hummingbirds. Topics to be covered include Biology of the Cloud Forest, Threats to the Cloud Forest, and Conservation of the Cloud Forest. Spanish language instruction is available during this session. Sunday 28th: Leave Mindo and go back to Quito for the night.

Section 3 - Journey Into the New Year Monday, December 29th - Monday, January 5th

In this session, students foray into the Amazon wilderness in Cuyabeno to observe an intact Amazonian environment. Activities include hiking, mushroom hunting, swimming, fishing, and canoeing. Students will meet with indigenous community members and spend time in ritual with shamans of the community.

Section 4 - Myco Workshop II Tuesday, January 6th - Thursday, January 14th

Peak Oil Issues – Production: Destruction of Ecology, Community and Traditional Ways of Life

The course then returns to Lago Agrio for the final session and completion of the seed germination experiment. Stops along the way introduce students to communities and show toxic sites abandoned by the oil industry, including pipeline ruptures, abandoned wells, and communities located near active wells. Thursday 14th: Farewell dinner. Program ends.

* Itinerary dates subject to adjustment.

COSTS

$1,000 per section or $3,600 when enrolled in all four sections. Cost covers food, lodging and in country transportation, special gear, as well as all activities listed in the itinerary. Spanish language instruction is optional and costs $10 per hour for individual instruction; this cost may be split between up to 5 students of the same ability level. Additional costs not covered may include, but are not limited to: airfare, required travel insurance, optional travel immunizations, suggested reading, beverages, souvenirs, tips and donations. $100 articulation and curriculum fee for students seeking college credit through independent study. Spanish instruction is included in the $1000 individual section cost for the Cloud Forest Holiday Retreat.

Limited scholarships are sometimes available. Students may inquire with Cloud Forest Institute to find out more.


More info available at the facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?ei...2617&ref=share