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COASTAL CLIMATE RESILIENCE BELIZE

Explore attributes of sustainable coastal communities and ocean conservation in the context of climate instability in ENR 4890/5890, Coastal Climate Resilience. Bridging creative work and scholarship from the environmental arts and humanities with scientific research, you will consider the diversity of coastal cultures and responses to environmental threats. You will travel to Belize for an immersive program that uses local knowledge to understand the role oceans play in global sustainability. You will interact with community-based initiatives tied to coral reef restoration, social entrepreneurship, sea farming, “blue” finance, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to gain a better understanding of how local stakeholders are devising innovative marine conservation initiatives.

Instructors: Courtney Carlson

two images: one of coral reef from underwater and one of woman working near the shore on seaweed farm

DATES & CREDITS New for 2023! Coastal Climate Adaptation includes the following required components:

Online Asynchronous spring course, ENR 4890 / 5890 Coastal Climate Resilience (3 credits, option to earn an additional credit for Belize field component)
Ten-day travel to Belize: March 7-16, 2023. Participants will receive an Excused Absence for March 6-10. All work for an Excused Absence must be completed in advance.
Experiential, community-engaged, and intercultural learning activities, including:
- citizen science efforts such as coral identification projects for marine stewardship
- development of an interpretive map of the Belize Barrier Reef
- documenting the benefits of a community-led local seaweed farming collective
- working alongside Belize's Indigenous Garifuna community
- exploring the cultures, traditions, and places that distinguish Belize, including Placencia; Raye, Tobacco, and Laughing Bird Cayes; and Dangriga
Upcoming programs: 2023

REQUIREMENTS & ADMISSION Program admission is dependent upon application and may include an interview. Open to all UW students with junior, senior, or graduate standing, or consent of instructors. Preference given to students enrolled in Haub School programs*. Applicants should be strong swimmers, comfortable in water 5-6ft+ for extended periods of time.

*Additional requirements may apply.

PROGRAM FEE Includes all lodging, in-country transportation (including ground and boat transfers), guide and speaker services and gratuities, park and marine area fees, adventure excursions and entrance fees, instruction, educational materials, and all meals.

The course fee does not include airfare to / from Placencia, Belize, meals on travel days, UW Education Abroad fee, COVID-19 related fees, passport fees, required UW travel / cancellation insurance, or UW tuition and fees for spring semester credits.

Program Fee 2022: $4100 (scholarship support available)

Program Dates 2023: