Vanessa Lieberman
Ecology Project International
Ecology Project International, (EPI)
is an organization that educates students and teachers about conservation
efforts; they do this through participation in conservation efforts, cultural
exchanges, and infield science conducted at their research centers. The
organization wants students to become educated and to share their experience. The
organization depends on volunteers and infield research instructors. To become
an instructor for this organization would mean that I could teach others about
specific eco systems and help them gain a hands-on experience on how to have a
positive impact on the eco systems. I could also share my experience with
students from a variety of high schools, and hopefully encourage students to
join EPI. Traveling with EPI to places like Costa Rica or Galapagos Islands can
be costly and not every student may be able to afford these trips. I could work
with EPI to help them raise money to create a special fund and work with
similar organizations to create a scholarship fund that would support students
who want to go, but who may not have the financial need.
Ecology Project International began
in the 1990’s (EPI website, 2015), when the co-founders Scott Prankratz and
Julie Osborn were studying in Costa Rica. It occurred to them that there should
be an organization that teaches students about different ecosystems while doing
infield research. In May of 2000, (EPI website, 2015) the first group traveled to
Costa Rica and the program was placed. The students who got to experience this,
got to tag Leatherback turtles, count the eggs laid by the female leatherbacks,
and if the eggs were too close to the ocean, the students would move them to a
safer location on the beach. This was a start to a change that would make an
impact in Ecology Project International; the organization was poised to grow
and slowly increase their reach to high schools across the United States.
Students began to be aware of issues and were soon dedicated to prompt
protection of wildlife species.
Becoming part of EPI means that
leaders are active in ecological conservation. Ecology Project International
instructors have a passion for the environmental and are willing to teach
students and local residents about impacts that are affecting ecosystems. It is
hands-on work and working alongside scientist, students are able to create an
experience where they can share with their friends and families. These
experiences help one to see the world differently and change the way to act
toward the environment. A resident student, Milton Carbajal, from Costa Rica
learned so much that she even made an impact on her family. “After the course,
I had many conservations with my dad and my uncles. I have educated and
motivated them to give up the tradition of eating turtle eggs. My father is
very interested in coming to Pacuare with EPI and meeting the turtles for
himself,” Milton Carbajal, Costa Rican student.
Traveling with EPI, I gained a good deal of insight
and became more aware of my impacts that affect the planet. Working hands-on
with the Leatherback turtles in Costa Rica and with the Galapagos Tortoises in
the Galapagos Islands, my eyes were opened and it made me realize that I want
to educate others about the data I have collected and to share this experience.
During both of these trips, I was able to visit local high school students and
talk about what I learned and what they are doing to protect wildlife species.
Ecology Project International lets
high school students work with local experts to collect data on species and to
learn about different ecosystems. The organization teaches the students about
ecological systems where they stay, teach the students how to use scientific
tools, and by doing all this, EPI is raising an interest in science and
awareness. Traveling with EPI means working with a scientist in the field.
Volunteering to be part of this amazing organization is costly. The programs
can range between $1,000 to $6,000 (EPI website, 2015). This also depends on
where students want to volunteer. Creating a fund for students and local
residents would help them out. People who are willing to learn but do not have
the financial funds, would be highly respected by Ecology Project International.
Ecology Project International has
made a vital impact in the places where they do work in. In 2012, EPI students
volunteered over 1,660 service hours (Outside, 2013). This shows that a lot of
students are dedicated to work in nature and with animals. These students
include myself who are interested in learning how to protect species and to
educate others about this topic. Opening up a fund would help those who are
interested in working with nature and animals. Also creating fundraisers will
raise awareness and the importance of taking care of the planet. Having
fundraisers around the world, shows the EPI would be willing to expand their
bases and have more schools become a part of their organization. With more
schools involved, more students would be learning how to take care of this
planet and learning how to protect their species.
Besides being located in the United
States and South America, EPI could create awareness in Europe, Australia, and
Asia. Developing more bases around the world expands EPI as an organization,
which shows people that they are willing to work worldwide. Providing a
scholarship to become an instructor would let the world know that they are
willing to help those who are interested in saving this planet. Looking to the
future, Ecology Project International should consider creating funds for those
who do not have the financial aid to participate in their programs and to be
thinking about expanding their bases.
Reference:
"Local Communities." - About
Us. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
"Our Vision, Mission, and
Goals." - About Us. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
"Programs." Programs.
Web. 22 Apr. 2015.
Rossignol, Kevin. "Profiles in
Environmentalism: Ecology Project International." The Fill. 20 Apr.
2015. Web. 22 Apr. 2015.
"The Best Places to Work 2013."
Outside Online. 31 July 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2015.
"Why
EPI’s Student Travel Programs?" About Us. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
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