If you want us to feature a story or update, you may contact us here. |
News from the Board and President/CEO |
|
|
In this issue, the Board and President/CEO reflect on key highlights from 2024. From land donations to legacy data projects, bird counts to COP16, and 20 years in South Africa, discover how OTS is continuing the work of research, conservation, and growing the scientific community. |
|
|
| Don’t miss out on our upcoming OTS Experiences trip to Costa Rica this April 2025! Secure your spot today! Trip Details:
Date: April 12 - 24, 2025 Cost: $3,995 per person - covers all in-country transportation, lodging, and meals. If possible, we ask that you consider making an additional tax-deductible donation to OTS.
Activities: Nature walks, morning birding, night walks, coffee and chocolate experiences, boat trip, quetzal hike, ethnobotany, visiting the Panamanian border, along with other surprises. An itinerary is available online.
Disclaimer: The price does not include the flights to and from Costa Rica or meals en route. Testimonials: Read Jennifer’s insights
Read David & Michael's insights To secure your spot:
Complete the online reservation form. No deposit is required at this time. |
|
|
OTS Attends the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) meeting in Cali, Colombia |
|
|
|
In late October, OTS Director for Strategic Engagement Carlos Silva traveled to Cali as part of a delegation of more than 20 people from the Ecological Society of America (ESA) to attend COP16, the latest round of negotiations among 196 signatory nations to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
|
| |
OTS is proud to welcome our Spring 2025 cohorts to Costa Rica and South Africa! In addition to continued, steady growth in all undergraduate programs, we are excited to announce the official launch of the OTS podcast, "On the Trail of Science: Tracks and Trajectories." Click below to find out how to access the podcast as well as how to apply to our undergraduate programs. |
|
Looking for an immersive, hands-on learning experience in tropical biology, plant systematics, or science education? In 2025, OTS is offering exciting graduate-level field courses across Costa Rica, led by specialists in the field. Whether you're an aspiring ecologist, a conservation biologist, or a science teacher, there’s a course designed for you. Click for more information. |
|
|
Alumni Ambassador spotlight |
In this issue, we talk with Darren Lowery, alum of the African Ecology and Conservation class of Fall 2024. Darren discusses his experience on the program, personal highlights, his capstone project -- looking at how mammal use and impact differed at the open versus closed water troughs! -- and his future career goals. Click below for the full article. |
| BioCursos: Connecting human ingenuity and nature |
With the premise of “connecting human ingenuity and nature,” this year OTS will relaunch BioCursos, an educational program offering nature lovers experiential, recreational, and educational experiences that in an interdisciplinary way promote sustainable relationships between human beings and nature. |
|
|
| Science happenings at OTS: New research and publications |
Delve into the cutting-edge science emerging from our research stations! These latest studies reveal how species interact, adapt, and thrive in ever-changing environments. Whether an examination of ants' response to fungi-laden bird nests, a study of bats boosting forest regeneration, or an essay on the long-term PLOTS study, these researchers offer fresh insights into the natural world. Click below to explore these publications -- and many more! |
|
|
Announcing the Dr. Nora Bynum Fund for Inclusion |
To celebrate the work of Dr. Nora Bynum, who retired last fall from her position as Dean of Academic Programs, OTS announces the Dr. Nora Bynum Fund for Inclusion. So many of us count ourselves fortunate to have worked alongside Nora, learning from and collaborating with her, and to have been in the field with her in both Costa Rica and South Africa. Click below to find out how you can likewise support emerging scientists and tomorrow’s change agents by supporting the Dr. Nora Bynum Fund for Inclusion.
|
| An OTS “Home by the Sea”— A gift that bridges art and conservation |
Picture a beach where lush greenery meets the ocean’s edge, an inspiring canvas for both nature lovers and creative minds. That’s exactly what Costa Rican artist and cultural icon Florencia Urbina Crespo has graciously entrusted to OTS. By donating the rights to her beloved family property at Punta Agujas, Florencia sets the stage for OTS to further marine and coastal research, community engagement, and environmental education. Read more about “Estación Azul” in Punta Agujas beach. |
|
|
|
