Selected Partners
Costa Rica
Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT)
EWT is a British organization that owns the Pacuare Reserve on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Their mission is to protect the critically endangered Leatherback sea turtles along its 4 miles of beach.
La Suerte Biological Station
La Suerte is a privately owned biological station that provides boarding, research facilities, and a variety of college-level field and research courses.
Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Education
This government entity is devoted to developing and implementing the national education curriculum to higher standards.
EARTH University
EARTH is an international, non-profit university dedicated to education in the agricultural sciences and natural resources in order to contribute to sustainable development in the tropics.
Save the Turtles, Inc
Save the Turtles, Inc. is a non-profit organization devoted to protecting endangered sea turtles by supporting community-based projects.
Mexico
The Independent University of South Baja California (UABCS)
UABCS is a national university based in La Paz and one of the leading research institutions in the region, as well as the top university for marine studies in Mexico.
Marine Mammals Research Program (PRIMMA), Independent University of Southern Baja California
Whale expert, Dr. Jorge Urban, from the Marine Mammals Research Program is the lead scientific partner in EPI’s Whale Ecology Program. Other faculty have participated in various EPI program activities.
National Commission on Natural Protected Areas (CONANP)
CONANP is a governmental institution that administrates the federal Protected Areas of Mexico. CONANP has contributed both technicians and funding to improve EPI’s educational programs.
The Interdisciplinary Center of Marine Sciences (CICIMAR)
CICIMAR provides educational services and performs science and technology research. Dra. Dinorah Herrero is the lead scientific partner in EPI’s Island Ecology Field Program. Other faculty have participated in various EPI program activities.
Sociedad de Historia Natural NIPARAJA A.C.
Niparajá is a Mexican non-profit focused on the urgent need to protect the natural patrimony of Baja California Sur with focus on water, habitat conservation, and community development. As an EPI partner, Niparajá lends its technical expertise to help facilitate workshops and give talks. They are also considering the fiscal partner of EPI.
The Community Whale Museum
The Museum in La Paz is a space dedicated to spreading knowledge and the protection of cetaceans. They support EPI in various educational activities, and host EPI’s Annual Island Ecology Student Symposium.
Grupo Tortuguero
The Grupo Tortuguero is a network of individuals, communities, organizations, and institutions from around the world, dedicated to sea turtle conservation.
Laguna San Ignacio Ecosystem Science Program
The Laguna San Ignacio Ecosystem Science Program (LSIESP) is an international collaboration between researchers in the United States and Mexico that conducts monitoring projects in the Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve in Baja California Sur, Mexico. LSIESP researches migratory grey whales, other resident plant and animal species in addition to conducting community outreach and education projects. EPI students participated in a pilot program in 2010 and we are planning additional grey whale monitoring courses in the future.
Galapagos
Galapagos National Park Service
Thanks to support from the Galapagos National Park Service, students get exclusive access to wildlife and ecosystems otherwise restricted to researchers or park staff. Our partnership with the Park has been in place since our first season in Galapagos in 2003.
FUNDAR-Galápagos
FUNDAR Galapagos is an independent non-profit based in Galapagos dedicated to modeling sustainable development projects. Our students spend time at their reserve where they help propagate different native plants in the greenhouse in conjunction with a larger restoration project led by Conservation International.
Charles Darwin Research Station
We’ve collaborated with the Charles Darwin Research Station for many years, including work with sea turtles, land tortoises, and other restoration projects. All of our Galapagos programs include a visit to the research station.
Montana
United States Forest Service (USFS)
We partner with researchers from the Gallatin Ranger District near Yellowstone. Our students help USFS collect data on bears, beaver, snowshoe hare, wolverines, wolves, and more.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
Our students help monitor bluebirds and other avian species in the Red Rocks National Wildlife Refuge, a site managed by the USFWS, and the location that inspired E. B. White’s The Trumpet of the Swan.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
EPI participants collaborate with TNC at Red Rocks National Wildlife Refuge. Our students improve wildlife-friendly fencing, making it easier for pronghorn to move within their habitat.