In keeping with our interest to promote the conservation of our natural resources, since 1997 we have several educational programs specifically designed for high school students, university students, and any group of interested people.
These programs are designed as workshops, to develop a better comprehension of the amazon rainforest environment, with the aim to stimulate awareness memorable travel experience. ( photo Stanford Univ. course)
 Each workshop is comprised of a set of activities that cover all aspects of the rainforest environment: natural history (involving general ecology), adaptations and field methods for the study of plants and animals (advised by field biologists and field guides), cultural history (including visits to local colonists and native communities to learn how they have adapted to live in the rainforest), and economic history (studying the principal products extracted from the region such as gold and Brazilian nuts).
San Silvestre students (annual course)
Each group of students is divided into teams of 5 or 6, to participate in each activity. This will provide for a better experience and increase the efficiency of communication with the instructor and safety during field activities.
Workshops are taught by a team of professional guides and specialized biologists. Each field instructor has several years of experience teaching high school and undergraduate university students.
Currently some of these activities are part of an ongoing research project and data obtained through the workshops are preliminary analyzed at the end of each activity. A report that further contributes to our knowledge of the local area is then produced and copies are send to workshop participants.
Activities :
Here are some examples of the activities that we offer:
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An introduction to the ecology of and plant adaptations for survival in the Amazon Rainforest. There will be an introductory walk in the forest during which we will learn about the structure, dynamics, and adaptations of the flora and fauna. |
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Nocturnal Ecology will include a short night hike in the forest in order to experience the difference between diurnal and nocturnal forest life. There will be an introduction to the biotic and abiotic factors that affect the behavior of active nocturnal fauna. |
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Rainforest Vertebrate Census. We will combine several types of field assessment methods to survey bird and mammal species. |
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Arthropod World. Is an introduction to the amazing world of the millions of species of insects, spiders, and other bugs that live in the rainforest. Students will learn about the special adaptations arthropods employ for survival. |
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Nocturnal vertebrate flyers of the Rainforest. During which we will census nocturnal birds (owls, nighthawks, potoos) and bats using transects and mist nets. |
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Clay licks. We will visit the clay licks to view macaws and mammals and to observe this peculiar behavior and learn about its importance. |
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People of the Rainforest. We will visit local people to learn how they are adapted for life in the rainforest. |
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Rainforest Botany. This is a special activity covering the general ecology and special adaptations of plants. We will learn how many plants are used medicinally. |
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Aquatic Vertebrates Census. We will take a nocturnal boat ride along rivers or lakes to do an assessment of caimans and frog species and their choruses. |
 Benefits :
The benefit of these workshops is that they are each based on a special theme. They can be held at several levels and be adapted to cover different aspects of the theme.
The participant will benefit from direct hands-on experience with the natural and cultural environment of this amazon rainforest region. This will also increase one's opportunity for wildlife encounters.
Science benefits because the activities are generally part of a research project either in progress or generated by the workshop. This results in unexpected field opportunities for researchers and their assistants. Usually, as part of each activity, the researcher in charge obtains data for their personal project in addition to generating new knowledge for science. Part of the income from these workshops is used to provide financial support for transportation, lodging, food and salary for young researchers. Biology, forestry, and sociology are some of the developing research areas.
For environmental education, the participants and the local people are effectively educated as to why it is so important to conserve the rainforest.
With these workshops, WASAI Lodge & Expeditions is developing a type of local grass-roots organization for the conservation of areas we visit and work in. We hope to stimulate similar interest in other eco tourism enterprises
in the amazon region.
 Security :
Each workshop is planned to provide a secure environment with comfortable conditions for the well-being of the participants. Some activities require strenuous activity such as long walks through the forest, while others involve only short walks around the lodge or sitting in a boat.
Our instructors are specialists in Amazonian field work and they have the necessary training to respond in any emergency during activities. Furthermore, our teams all carry the recommended emergency equipment.
 Rates :
Educational courses are very important to us and we would like to encourage the use of our facilities for such purposes by keeping our rates as low as possible. A regular Rainforest Workshop for a group of 20 students costs approximately US $360 per person for a 6 day program.
Please contact our Environmental Affairs Advisor for special rates info@wasai.com
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