The Gulf of California, also called “the Sea of Cortez”, is known as “the world’s aquarium”, and for good reason: it is home to more than 2,000 species of fish and welcomes gray whales, whale sharks, and green turtles, while also containing mangroves, and coral reefs. In this sanctuary the impacts of climate change are already being deeply felt. Faced with a reality that can feel overwhelming, we at EPI Mexico believe that young peoplecan and must be involved in creating solu

Around the time I got my first Instagram I also went on my first EPI trip. My nerves surrounding EPI’s unplugged policy had less to do with being offline and more to do with being disconnected from my parents. 12 years later I went on my first EPI course as an adult and employee. Although adults don’t have to go unplugged on EPI courses , I decided to go as unplugged as possible. I wanted to challenge myself to feel as connected to the student experience as possible. Here is

At a large festival with more than 1,600 attendees, a unique encounter took place between two people who shared a common passion: social engineering. Amid the crowd, this unique encounter occurred when Enrique Guemez—who was an EPI student nearly 20 years ago—evaluated the project of Cristhian Robles, who had joined EPI just a few months earlier. After the festival, Enrique contacted Cristhian to see if he would be interested in volunteering with his social engineering organi

En un gran festival con más de 1600 asistentes, se dio un encuentro peculiar entre dos personas con una pasión en común: la ingeniería social. Entre toda la gente el peculiar encuentro sucedió cuando Enrique Guemez, quien fue estudiante de EPI hace casi 20 años, evaluó el proyecto de Cristhian Robles, quien llegó a EPI hace apenas unos meses. Tras el Festival, Enrique contactó a Cristhian para ver si le interesaría ser voluntario en su organización de ingeniera social y soste

Ryan Binga has a pretty interesting job. One day he might be in a Missoula classroom teaching students what to do if they encounter a bear. The next day he could be creating videos for Wildlife Wednesdays on Instagram, and the day after that he might be leading a bird count. How did he get there at such a young age? Through MFWP AmeriCorps, a program that not only makes a significant impact on conservation but also provides career opportunities for its members.

If you are a teacher considering whether to bring students abroad, you’ve probably felt the weight of that decision now more than ever. Shifting U.S. travel advisories, international tensions, and a news cycle that never slows down. These are very real issues that deserve real acknowledgement. At Ecology Project International, these questions are always at the forefront of our minds: Should we travel right now? Is it worth the hassle? We believe the answer is yes, and we want

Yellowstone was the first national park ever created anywhere in the world, with a history spanning more than 150 years. And although it remains one of the least human-altered landscapes in the United States, the impacts of climate change are already becoming visible across this iconic conservation area. EPI students learn about this impacts through participatory science while collecting data for ongoing research

At just 23 years old, Maeve Cain has lived a lot, and in a lot of places. In that journey, she has taught in Yellowstone, instructed ski lessons in Idaho, and now works as a science educator in one of the most diverse national parks in the world: Olympic National Park in Washington. And we're proud to say that EPI has been part of that path.

What are the odds? Two childhood friends once traveled to Mexico together on an EPI trip, and years later, fate brought them back together, this time as coworkers. In this interview, they share what that journey meant to them, how their paths crossed again, and what it's really like to work alongside someone who's been part of your story since the beginning.

I am an anxious traveler and an overpacker. I don’t get out of the country much, and I get SUPER motion sick on planes. Despite all of this, I found myself on a flight to Costa Rica in the middle of March. Here’s how it went

Chandra Dunbar and Birgid Niedenzu are bringing the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems into their classrooms. By joining EPI’s professional development, these educators traded traditional lectures for hands-on research in Costa Rica and Mexico. Now, their students are solving real-world problems with urchins and sea turtles, sending engagement "through the roof". Discover NGSS-aligned PD that slashes prep time and reignites your passion for teaching.

The Galápagos Islands were fundamental to our understanding of life's evolution on Earth, but the effects of climate change are already evident in this natural sanctuary. Because they are islands, their ecosystems are extremely fragile and now face serious risk. Faced with this alarming reality, Ecology Project International (EPI), in partnership with the local organization ECOS, is strengthening its commitment to working with young people through conservation-focused educati

Healthy rivers don’t happen by accident. In this webinar recap, Rad Watkins explains how forested watersheds and thriving riparian zones prevent flooding, reduce erosion, filter pollutants, and protect water quality. Learn why native vegetation along riverbanks is essential—and how simple human actions can either restore or degrade an entire river system.

Coral reefs in Belize are revealing early bleaching signals, and students document these shifts with the Coral Watch protocol, contributing data to global monitoring efforts. This hands-on reef science anchors their learning as they explore climate impacts, build critical thinking skills, and return home motivated to take meaningful action.

For 20 years, EPI Mexico has inspired more than 64,000 young people to connect with nature through science, community, and hands-on conservation. Learn about the stories and impacts behind two decades of transformative education.

Durante 20 años, EPI México ha inspirado a más de 64.000 jóvenes a conectarse con la naturaleza a través de la ciencia, la comunidad y la conservación práctica. Conocé las historias e impactos detrás de dos décadas de educación transformadora.

Climate change is reshaping life at Costa Rica’s Pacuare Reserve. Rising sand temperatures skew sea turtle hatchlings toward all females, and coastal erosion threatens nesting sites. EPI students witness these impacts firsthand, joining nightly beach patrols, collecting data, and learning how science and conservation practices help protect endangered turtles.

Citizen science is rewriting what we know about Yellowstone’s wildlife. Two groundbreaking studies—powered by data collected by students and volunteers—reveal that bison are ecosystem engineers and that large herbivores defy the old grazer-browser labels. From DNA metabarcoding of scat to tracking bison herds, these discoveries show how community-driven science is transforming conservation and inspiring the next generation of ecologists—thanks in part to the fieldwork of EPI

From biking across the globe to leading wildlife surveys in his hometown, Ganesh Nayak, assistant professor at Manipal Institute of Technology (India) and EPI alumnus, is turning adventure into environmental action. Discover how he’s inspiring students to explore, protect, and connect with nature.

At Pacuare Reserve, a young girl saw a leatherback turtle for the first time and discovered her scientific calling. Today, programs like EPI Costa Rica’s continue to inspire local students to protect biodiversity and become agents of change.