ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú

Once facing near extinction, the golden lion tamarin has become a symbol of hope for conservation. Fewer than 200 of these striking orange primates remained in the wild by 1969 due to the massive deforestation of Brazil's Atlantic Rainforest. In a multi-faceted effort, zoos managed captive populations, ecologists studied their needs, and educators worked with local communities. This collaboration led to the successful reintroduction of tamarins to the wild and large-scale reforestation efforts. As a result, their wild population has increased nearly tenfold, and they have become a national symbol in Brazil, even appearing on a postage stamp and currency.

This course focuses on the kind of comprehensive species conservation that saved the golden lion tamarin. Partnering with the Brazilian non-profit Associação Mico-Leão Dourado (AMLD), students will explore biological issues related to species reintroductions, habitat restoration, and conservation education. There may even be an opportunity to help develop a tamarin park. The program will examine the "flagship species" approach to conservation and look at new ways to engage the public through zoos and schools in different countries. 

A typical day on this EE course includes exploration and hiking in the local environment, instructor and student-led discussions of key course topics, presentations, and engagement with local community experts, and time for inquiry investigations and journal writing. Prior to and following the field experience in Brazil, students will complete coursework via Canvas, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University's learning management system, as they apply experiences at home.

*** If you're interested in Brazil: Saving Golden Lion Tamarins for Summer 2026, . This option is ideal for anyone needing Continuing Education Units or additional graduate credits, those with previous Master's experiences, or Dragonfly alums. We offer a limited number of spots (up to 6) for non-Master's candidates in most of our EE courses. An undergraduate degree is required. ***

Atlantic Forest

Cited as one of the top five “hottest hotspots” for conservation, Atlantic Forest is older than forests of the Amazon basin. The isolation of this ancient forest has contributed to the evolution of species found nowhere else. About half of the roughly 2,000 Atlantic Forest plant species are endemic. Roughly 90% of the Atlantic Forest amphibians are endemic.

The Atlantic Forest has suffered greatly since Europeans arrived, mainly due to (in rough and overlapping historical order) sugarcane, coffee, cattle ranching, cocoa, Eucalyptus forest, and urbanization. Two of the three largest cities in South America were built on and are growing at the expense of the Atlantic Forest. Only about 12.5% of the Atlantic Forest remains, and only about half of that occurs in protected areas. There is an urgent need to build on the success of the golden lion tamarin and other conservation initiatives in this region to reverse the decline. We will study at Poço das Antas and União, two federal biological reserves in golden lion tamarin territory and critical to their conservation, as well as in private lands that have been voluntarily contributed to conservation.

Rio de Janeiro

The course will depart from and end in Rio de Janeiro, known as the “Cidade Maravilhosa” and home of the 2016 Olympics. Students wishing to visit this world-class city should plan to arrive before the course start date or plan to stay after.

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