Kenya RPCV Dusty Becker invites students to join Earthwatch trip to Ecuador
Read and comment on this story from the Kansas State Collegian on Kenya RPCV Dusty Becker who is inviting students to join an Earthwatch trip to Ecuador. Becker said the Earthwatch Institute, which promotes the conservation of natural resources and cultural heritage, has had trouble getting people to participate in their expeditions. "Since Sept. 11, there hasn't been as much international travel," she said. "Earthwatch has not been able to fill spaces for expeditions, so since I'm a professor here I thought it'd make sense to give our students an opportunity to participate." Read the story at:
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Professor invites students to join Earthwatch trip to Ecuador
Published on Friday, November 15, 2002
Rogie Dorpinghaus
Kansas State Collegian
A K-State professor is planning an Earthwatch expedition to monitor Ecuador cloud forest birds during winter break and wants to take interested students with her.
Dusty Becker, assistant professor in natural resource management, said cloud forests differ from rain forests because they are lush due to ocean fog, and not rain.
Becker is the principle investigator of the Earthwatch expedition dealing with Ecuador forest birds.
Becker said the Earthwatch Institute, which promotes the conservation of natural resources and cultural heritage, has had trouble getting people to participate in their expeditions.
"Since Sept. 11, there hasn't been as much international travel," she said. "Earthwatch has not been able to fill spaces for expeditions, so since I'm a professor here I thought it'd make sense to give our students an opportunity to participate."
Students who go will complete nine days of field research in the mountains as a part of the 14-day expedition.
"We'll observe hummingbird species and see if they're using the refuge," Becker said. "We're also interested in what flowers the birds are using and how the local indigenous people are doing."
Students who go on the expedition will earn three credit hours from K-State in forestry problems, which is a 600-level course for graduates.
"It'll be all hands-on," Becker said. "No quizzes or tests."
The expedition is from Dec. 29 to Jan. 11, and costs $1,600 for tuition and field time. Interested students should plan and pay for their own airfare, which Becker said usually costs around $800.
Becker, a former Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya, said her experience in the Peace Corps sparked an interest.
"It opened doors and my eyes to diversity in a more international sense," she said. "I became more concerned and that concern led me to want to know how to make both local people and wildlife species co-exist."
Becker talked about several things students should know before going to Ecuador.
"The two most important things to bring is a mosquito net and rubber boots -- everything else is what you would have to go camping anywhere in Kansas," Becker said.
She said students interested in going must be in good physical condition because there will be a lot of hiking involved.
"Students should be able to easily walk five miles with a pack on their back and like to be outdoors," she said.
Lafene Health Center can give students any medications they need before going on the expedition.
Sonya Conrad, of the allergy and immunization clinic, said the types of medications students should take will depend on their individual health and their previous immunizations.
She said students can sign up for a free foreign travel consultation at Lafene, and a nurse would make sure the student was properly prepared.
Becker said students who go on the expedition will meet others who like to travel, and will learn a lot.
"It might be one of the coolest things you've ever done in your life," Becker said.
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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Special Interests - Education; What RPCVs are doing; COS - Kenya; COS - Ecuador
