PanaMapping: Geodesign to Conserve the Rainforest

You will work in teams gathering original hydrological and forestry data and use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to better understand their relationships. Your work will support socially sustainable conservation in Panama’s Mamoní Valley Preserve, part of the largest remaining stretch of contiguous rainforest in an exceptionally biodiverse eco-region.  You will work with the course instructors, experienced jungle guides, and local conservation experts on applied projects such as these:  

• Measure streamflow, create stream profiles, and use GIS to understand stream behavior and evaluate the importance of forests for water production 
• Gather data in pastures, recovering forests, and ancient forests to understand forest dynamics and ecorestoration
• Ground-truth satellite and drone imagery to improve landcover maps
• Summarize recent histories of deforestation and ecorestoration

We will also visit a traditional Embera indigenous village in the Alto Chagres National Park, where you will evaluate their sustainability challenges and achievements. Other planned enrichment activities include a visit to the Panama Canal, the Biodiversity Museum, and Porto Belo, a historic Afro-Panamanian town on the Caribbean coast.

Dates

May 10 – 29, 2027
May 10 – 11: Virtual synchronous/ on-campus lectures
May 11: Overnight flight to Panama City
May 12 to 23: Centro Mamoni Jungle Research Station
May 23 to 26: Embera Puru village, Panama
May 26 to 29: Panama City and Porto Belo
Course concludes Friday midnight, 28 May

Course fee

$3800

Included in the course fee:

• Beds in a shared bamboo cabana at an off-grid campus at the edge of a vast tropical rainforest preserve with cool showers, satellite internet, natural swimming pool, micro-hydro energy plant, solar panels, howler monkeys, hummingbirds, and a community garden with three meals a day. Includes ground and boat transportation, rainforest and waterfall hikes, and (optional) river and ocean swims.
• Rustic beach cabana on an island with indigenous people. Shared hostel lodging in Panama City. Beach and mangrove excursions in the Caribbean. World Heritage sites, museums, the Panama Canal, and craft-art markets with indigenous producers.
• International health insurance.

Not included in the course fee:

• On-campus costs May 10 and 11: $120 if lodged on campus for the spring semester
• Round-Trip Airfare: $850
• Transportation to and from the US Airport: Varies 
• Transportation to Panama airport for return flight: $18-35
• Uncovered Meals: $100 (2-4 meals)
• Passport:  $165 for a US Passport, if you don’t already have one
• Field clothing: $50 (used) to $300 
• Personal Spending / Souvenirs: Varies
  
  

• Students must take GIS/SPA 110 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems beforehand.
• Spanish language skills are recommended, but not required. 
• Other requirements: Ability to hike for hours on uneven and slippery rainforest trails, willingness to be flexible with diet (vegetarians OK), ability to live in close quarters and to work respectfully, collaboratively, patiently, and compassionately with other students, faculty, jungle guides and Panamanians, and ability to maintain a positive attitude in spite of rain, heat, humidity and rustic conditions. 
  
  

LAI requirements: APW, CER, CPI, and N

Additional information

• Inquire about William D. Piety Environmental Science Research Scholarships for these costs: Piety Panama application - 2027.docx.
• Additional background from our host organization: https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/N6nreOtxV04Zb  
• A student’s StoryMap from the 2025 version of this class: https://arcg.is/1G5Tmb0 
  
  

For questions about the travel course, please contact the faculty-leaders 

Valerie Rountree | Valerie_Rountree@redlands.edu | 909-748-8760
Daniel Klooster | daniel_klooster@redlands.edu | 909-748-8642