Cons/Ecol/Sust Sonoran Desert

Catalog description

The ecology, conservation, cultural history, environmental justice, and political economy of the wider Sonoran Desert region of northwestern Mexico and southwestern Arizona, including the Sea of Cortez are the focus of this course. The trip traverses an ecological and cultural gradient from the low desert of central Sonora gaining latitude and elevation to the boundaries of both the desert and Hispanic and native American cultures in Arizona. The trip will begin in Kino, Sonora, MX, on the coast where we will focus on the juxtaposition of coastal and desert ecology, inland desert ecology, ecotourism and Native American culture, and human political economies. From Kino, we will pass through desert grasslands in north-central MX to evaluate plant community changes across elevational and climate gradients while traveling to the Pinacate Biosphere Reserve in northern MX. We will end the trip at Organ Pipe National Monument in Arizona. In the course of the program students will be expected to complete a field research project, interact with various stakeholders, and understand, analyze, and engage with a complex ecological, cultural, and political context for biodiversity conservation and understand the implications of these factors for building sustainability Course fee includes airfare, food and lodging. This fee does not include personal expenses (e.g., souvenirs, beverages, snacks) or traveler insurance in the case of disruption due to a major weather event, health, or cancellations of another nature. Pre-trip and post-trip meetings are mandatory.