Home • Baja California

Course Overview

The Sea of Cortez hosts 39% of the world's marine mammal species and was recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. From John Steinbeck to Aldo Leopold, Baja California Sur has captured the world's imagination and become a unique travel destination. Through our Island and Whale Ecology Programs, Ecology Project International students from Mexico and around the world work in partnership with local institutions to conserve Baja California Sur's desert and marine environments.

Ecology Project International students will be a part of the conservation solution in Baja California Sur while learning hands-on through research, service and cultural exchange.

Conservation Impact

Scientists in Mexico use Ecology Project International students' work to improve conservation efforts in Baja California Sur. While exploring and learning about the desert and marine environments, students collect much needed data about the human impacts on these sensitive sites. Examples of research projects students have assisted with include sea star and sea cucumber surveys and a census of migratory whales. 

Academics and Education

During their time in the field, Ecology Project International students serve as volunteers for Mexican conservation institutions. Under the leadership of our outstanding instructors, every student conceives, develops, analyses, and presents a field-based research project and attends desert ecology, marine biology, art, and journaling classes.

Cultural Exchange

More than half of our participants at this project site are Mexican. Ecology Project International's commitment to local communities provides a unique cultural exchange opportunity for international students who participate in our study abroad programs. After each group completes the Island or Whale Ecology Program, students meet their international peers and share their experiences and academic projects at a local school.

Partners

U.S. students collaborate with their Mexican peers, foundations, and government agencies in an international effort to ensure the protection of this special place. Our partners and supporters for this project include:

• CICIMAR - Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas
• CONABIO - Comisión Nacional para el conocimiento y uso de la Biodiversidad
• International Community Foundation
• Niparajá
• PRIMMA/UABCS - Marine Mammal Research Program at the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur

Testimonials

"Thanks to this program, I am now able to do things I never thought possible." - '05 alum

Campus

In 2006, EPI opened a campus in La Paz, Mexico, to host visiting groups, meetings, workshops, symposia, and other gatherings, and to serve as a resource for sustainability and conservation in Baja California Sur.

Our campus offers meeting, lodging and dining facilities, as well as a library, outdoor learning space, and the only fin whale skeleton on display in all of Mexico. If you are bringing a group to or hosting a meeting in La Paz, we invite you to take advantage of the amenities our campus provides. EPI students groups that stay in La Paz will spend a night or two at the campus before and after their days in the field.

Click here for a brochure and contact us for more information and/or to inquire about availability
of dates for your group.