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Course Description

The Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG), the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), and the Universidad Estatal Amazónica (UEA) are pleased to announce a 3-week training program in Tropical Field Botany in Ecuador for highly motivated early graduate students from American universities (USA only) who are interested in pursuing a career in Plant Systematics.  Scientists from MBG, NYBG, and UEA will offer a broad introduction to the topics of tropical field botany and plant taxonomy through a variety of experiences, including classroom lectures, discussion sessions, and fieldwork.  Drawing from the instructors’ personal research experiences, students will learn about the tools and methods used to understand and conduct research on Tropical Botany and the related topic of plant conservation.

 

Where

The course will be held mainly at Mindo Lindo, situated in north-western Ecuador’s cloud forest on the slopes of the Western Andes at an elevation of ca. 1700 m close to the village of Mindo and in Río Guajalito Reserve, located 48 km west of Quito, along the old highway via Quito-Santo Domingo at an elevation of 1800 to 2200 m. Field trips will be scheduled in nearby natural areas in the Pichincha Province. 

 

Support

The program will provide financial support to cover lodging and meals, course materials, and travel costs between USA and Quito, as well as local transportation during the course.  The program is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), with support from MBG, NYBG, and UEA.

 

Requirements

 

Participants will be expected to:

 

  • Have a valid passport to travel to Ecuador;

  • Participate in all aspects of the training, including discussions, laboratory, and fieldwork;

  • Willingness and ability to walk up to 10 km on mountain trails and to work as part of a team in adverse field conditions (e.g., hot, rainy, cold, etc.);

  • Develop and present a 15-minute scientific presentation at the end of the program.

 

Application Deadline

November 8th, 2019. Application forms are available here. Further information can be obtained from the program coordinator: Dr. Marcela Mora (marcela.mora@mobot.org).

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