2017 TRAVEL and ACADEMIC INFORMATION Yasuní: The Battle Over Oil and Biodiversity in Ecuador´s Amazon GEOG 190/ENVS 150 - 3 credits January 3 – January 15, 2017
September 9, 2016 Pucará, Imbabura, Ecuador
Dear Students, Friends, and Parents,
Hi. My name is Peter Shear, instructor for Yasuní: The Battle Over Oil and Biodiversity in Ecuador´s Amazon (Geography 190/Environmental Studies 150), which will run between January 3rd and 15th, 2017. The course promises to be adventurous, fun, and educationally rewarding. I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself, and then address some frequently asked questions and concerns regarding travel in Ecuador.
Born in Royalton, Vermont, I now live in Pucará, Ecuador and have been organizing student trips and rural development projects in Guatemala, Puerto Rico and Ecuador since 1996. I trained as a Wilderness First Responder, which educated me to provide emergency medical care in the backcountry. I have a Master’s degree in Political Geography from the University of Vermont and also direct the Inter-American Center for the Arts, Sustainability, and Action, a 501(c)3 entity that organizes educational exchanges, workshops, and volunteer work brigades in Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and Ecuador www.casainteram.org. I have been teaching Latin American Studies and Political Geography at the university level since 1997 and at UVM since 2002. I am also the Executive Director of Inti Chakiñan, a community tourism project, CanopyCo, a reforestation and carbon offsetting program, and owner of Finca La Fé, all here in Ecuador: www.intichakinan.com www.canopyco.org fincalafe.wordpress.com
Now that you know a little about me, I will address some concerns often associated with travel in Ecuador:
Passport All students must have a passport with at least 6 months of validity. If your passport expires in less than 6 months from the date you enter Ecuador, Immigration will not allow you to enter the country! U.S. passports do not require additional Visas. Many non-USA passports require an additional Tourist Visa.
Health One can travel in good health in Ecuador by taking some preventative measures and being well informed about local health issues.
Students need vaccinations against Yellow Fever, Malaria, Tetanus, Typhoid, and Hepatitis A. Although Malaria is not currently present in the areas we visit, it theoretically could be. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Yasuní National Park and a scanned copy must be emailed to me at least one month prior to arrival. If you have questions or want more detailed information, the Center for Disease Control (800-526-6367) is a good source of information.
To get the most out of the trip, students should do their best to embark in good physical and mental health. Arriving at the Quito airport at over 8000 feet from sea level can cause headaches, nausea, and general discomfort. To reduce the risk of temporary altitude sickness, students should avoid alcohol and smoking and stay well hydrated before and during the trip. The educational hikes we do on the trip are not designed to be physically “hardcore.” If you can climb Mt. Mansfield or Camel’s Hump, you should be fine.
If you have dental issues, deal with them before you arrive in Quito.
Bring all prescribed medication with you.
Safety In light of the current world geo-political climate, and as several random robberies of tourists in Quito in the last few years have shown, travel always holds inherent risks. The itinerary for our trip has been carefully chosen to provide the safest experience possible and avoid areas of known danger and political instability. Ecuador is generally a safe country. Crime against tourists is rare outside of large cities and, even then, is usually limited to pick-pocketing and petty theft. I consider the political situation in Ecuador to be stable, as does the U.S. State Department. There are currently no State Department travel warnings for Ecuador, although travelers are advised to stay away from the Colombian border in the northeast part of the country. We will not be in this region.
Up to date travel advisories are available from the U.S. State Department Emergency Center (202-647-5225) or on the web at: www.state.gov/www/services.html
Insurance All students are required by UVM’s International Studies Office to register with International SOS Global Traveler www.internationalsos.com and have a valid health insurance policy.
Travel We will travel in a fully-insured, contracted “Greyhound” type bus and in commercial airplanes between Quito and the Amazon.
Weather Quito is located at about 2800 meters or almost 9300 feet. In January, throughout the highlands, we will typically see clear days reaching 80F and nights dropping to 50F. Ecuador´s Upper Amazon Basin region is warmer, with a typical 24- hour period ranging between about 90 and 60F. Mornings are often dry but torrential rains can hit at any time.
Communications NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS! In this age of instant access parents sometimes feel anxious if they cannot constantly text or Facebook with their kids. For the majority of this trip students will not have Internet or cell phone access. Please rest assured that parents will be immediately notified in the case of an emergency. If parents don´t hear from their kids it is because everything is ok. Posted mail takes 2-3 weeks to arrive in the U.S. from Ecuador. E-mail will be available in Quito at the beginning and end of the trip. Students should not count on having email access for the rest of the trip. The Tiputini Research Station, where we will be staying December 29 – January 2, has an outgoing satellite phone for emergencies. Otherwise no phones or email will be available for this part of the trip. Conventional phones are available sporadically throughout the trip and students can buy phone cards to make international calls. Cell phones with U.S. service providers do not always work in Ecuador.
Money Ecuador dollarized its economy in 2000, the first country in the world to do so. As a result, there is no need to exchange U.S. dollars for another currency.
The course fee paid by participating students is all-inclusive once they arrive in Quito: it covers all in-country transport, lodging, food, park fees, volunteer project materials, airport exit fee and planned activities. The course fee does not include airfare and tuition. If students want to purchase anything beyond this (souvenirs, cigarettes, camera film, etc), they should bring their own money. Most industrial commercial items (cameras, running shoes, appliances) cost about twice as much as in the U.S., while staple items (food, transport) cost about 25-30% of what you would pay in the U.S.
Traveler’s checks can only be cashed at the Quito airport at the beginning and end of the trip and are not accepted in the rural areas where we will be staying. Better to bring cash.
Below, I have included the course syllabus, an itinerary complete with emergency contact numbers, a “what to bring” checklist, a Medical Information form that must be filled out and brought to Ecuador, and the Academic Requirements of the course. Please feel free to contact me by phone (+593-98-684-9950), or e-mail [email protected] with any questions or concerns you may have prior to the trip.
Sincerely,
Peter Shear
2017 Itinerary
January 3, 2017- Arrive in Quito airport, travel 10 minutes to Hosteria San Carlos.
January 4- Day-long Seminar: primers in Tropical Ecology, the Geography of the Tropical Andes, and the History of Oil and Politics in Ecuador; Lecture: Tropical Ecology and Biodiversity with Kelly Swing, world renowned ecologist and founder of the Tiputini Reserve.
January 5- Fly over the Andes from Quito to the Amazon frontier town of Coca, presentation by executive of PetroAmazonas, the state oil company; stay at Hotel La Misión.
January 6- Travel by airplane to Coca, and then by motorized canoe and car to the Tiputini Biodiversity Station; p.m.- night hike with a professional guide to see flora and fauna as well as to receive explanations about the rainforest and the people who live in surrounding areas.
January 7- a.m.- We explore Tiputini´s canopy walkway system to get another perspective of the forest. Once again, this means a different kind of access to different species that can only be heard or barely seen from the forest; p.m; Group Learning Activity: Yasuní ITT and its Geopolitical Actors
January 8- a.m.- visit a black water lagoon, an ecosystem quite unique to this part of Amazonia, home to species that are not likely to be seen in other parts of the forest. p.m; We hike through the rain forest to Tiputini´s tree platform 160 feet above the forest floor to bird watch and enjoy the sunset. Group Learning Activity: Alternatives to an extraction-based economic development model: Carbon Markets and Ecosystems Services.
January 9- Return to Coca and Hostel la Misión.
January 10- Toxic Tour: meet with members of Defense of the Amazon to learn about the social and environmental impacts of oil extraction in Ecuador. Visit a refinery, oil derricks, and abandoned wells and waste treatment pools. Stay the evening in Lago Agrio.
January 11- a.m.- Lecture: The history of Texaco in Ecuador and the class action lawsuit against the company, with Pablo Fajardo, Goldman Environmental Award Winner. Visit the Cofan indigenous community of Dureño and spend the night in community tourism cabins.
January 12- Spend the day learning from the community of Dureño, lunch, return to Lago Agrio.
January 13- Travel by bus up the Andes to hotel Termas de Papallacta.
January 14- Study and Reflection day in Papallacta, back to hotel near airport in the afternoon.
January 15- fly home
Emergency Contacts Please call only in the case of a real emergency. I will have my cell phone with me at all times but there is no signal in Yasuní (December 29-January 2) and coverage can be periodic at all times.
To call from the U.S., dial 011 then the country code 593, and then the number.
Peter Shear 986 84 9950 Dave Jackson (English speaking contact) 939 59 6163 Veronica Quitiguiña (English speaking contact) 991 48 4022 Consuelo Barriga (Contact for Tiputini Station) 999 72 1046 Donald Moncayo (Guide January 3-6) 993 97 7808 Hotel Rancho San Carlos 994 25 8261 2 359 9057 Hotel La Misión (Coca) 6 288 0544 6 288 0260 Hotel La Cascada (Lago Agrio) 6 283 0124 Hotel Termas Papallacta 6 289 5060
ECUADOR TRIP CHECKLIST Bureaucracy/preparation passport air tickets/photocopy of e-ticket info immunizations travel insurance policy immunization record 2 color photocopies of passport and driver’s license 2 copies of your travel insurance policy
Equipment backpack (>4500 cubic inches in volume) small daypack (small backpack big enough to carry water, food, and raingear) flashlight/headlamp w/ extra batteries money belt (this is a special pouch to keep valuables that fits under your clothes) waterproof sunscreen (>asp25) insect repellent towel toothbrush/toothpaste 1 roll toilet paper toiletries* sunglasses hat with visor or wide brim 2 quart-sized water bottles journal/sketchbook *toiletries should be kept to a minimum. Most things –soap for instance-- can be easily purchased as you go. Bring contact stuff (saline solution, etc.) and personal hygiene stuff (Naturecare tampons have no cancer causing dioxins)…otherwise stick to the list! No makeup or aerosol spray. You won’t need it.
Clothing (this includes what you where on the plane) super important: rubber boots (wellies) super important: good waterproof poncho—not a cheap plastic one! 1 pair sandals/flip flops/or tennis shoes 3 T-shirts (avoid flashy shirts with logos and/or product names) 5 pairs synthetic blend sox 2 pairs of shorts 2 pair light pants (not cotton or jeans) underwear (don’t go overboard-- we can do wash anytime you want) 1 “nice” light longsleeve shirt for bugs and going out 1 water proof rainjacket 1 water proof rainpants sweater or fleece pullover swimsuit
Optional camera binoculars a cheap watch (don’t bring a nice one)
Don’t Bring i-phone, Blackberry, cell-phone, or other electronic communication devices
Academic Format and Requirements
This study-abroad course includes lectures, discussions, small group activities, and experiential education in Ecuador´s Amazon region. Students participate in two pre- trip meetings and a post-trip seminar to submit and share research projects and evaluate the course.
Students are graded on the following:
Participation 30% Pre-trip Analytical Writing Assignments 20% Reflection Papers (2) 10% Post-trip Research Paper 40%
Participation Participation will be evaluated in the following way:
Criterion Exceeds Standard- Meets Standards- Below Standard- Points Earned 6 points Variable points 2 points
Contributes ideas Contributes ideas Does not contribute and solutions and solutions ideas and solutions
Values ideas of Encourages ideas Rejects ideas and others and gives gives negative constructive feedback feedback Listens Listens to and Interrupts and does respects the opinions not listen to others´ of others opinions
Functions as a Encouraging and Difficult to work with positive member of inclusive of all and doesn´t seem to the group participants care about others
Helps Helps with logistics Does not help out of course and course activities
30 points maximum 10 points minimum Point Total
Pre-trip Essay Assignment
Students are to complete the assigned readings for this course and submit four 1000 word essays based on assigned study questions before arriving in Ecuador. Send completed work in MS Word format to [email protected]
All four essays should attempt to answer the assigned study questions through logic, illustrative examples from the text, and personal analysis. Each essay will (1) use at least five cited references from the assigned readings of which 1 must be from the UVM library, (2) refer to and outline the main ideas and arguments of readings, and (3) include questions, commentary, analysis, protests, opinions, or any combination of these. Students are free to use other cited sources as well.
Essay Questions (1000 words each; cite at least five sources from assigned readings for each essay).
1. How has the physical geography of Ecuador historically affected human and economic development patterns?
2. How has the discovery of oil changed the economic and social development of Ecuador?
3. What are the main tenets of the Yasuní ITT proposal?
4. Discuss the reasons for, and arguments against, oil extraction within protected national park boundaries.
Assigned Readings Readings available online:
Lost In Translation: Justice for the Ecuadorian Villagers in Chevron's Retaliatory RICO Trial http://www.eartheconomics.org/Page126.aspx
http://www.theamazonpost.com/wp- content/uploads/Southgate_Wasserstrom_Reider_LASA_2009.pdf http://www.teachinggeography.org/Ecuador%20Oil%20FINAL.pdf http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/01/125-yasuni-national-park/wallace-text http://www.sosyasuni.org/en/
The following academic articles are available at www.academia.edu under the search headings Yasuní National Park, Ecuador and Yasuní-ITT:
The Slippery Slope of Tourism and Oil in the Amazon: The Story of Tena, Ecuador by Phyllis Enchill
A New EJOLT Report: towards a Post-oil Civilization. Yasunization and Other Initiatives to Leave Fossil Fuels in the Soil by Ricardo Coelho
The riddle of leaving the oil in the soil—Ecuador's Yasuní-ITT project from a discourse perspective by Cristina Espinosa
A New Conservation and Development Policy: Exploring the Tensions of the Yasuní ITT Initiative by Murat Arsel
Readings available at UVM Library:
Yasuni Green Gold: The Amazon Fight to Keep Oil Underground, Mauro Burzio, Ginés Haro Pastor, Georgina Donati and Troth Wells, New Internationalist Press, 2008.
Buscher, Bram, and Davidov, Veronica (Eds). 2013. The Ecotourism-Extraction Nexus: Political Economies and Rural Realities of (un)Comfortable Bedfellows. London: Routledge
Davidov, V.M. 2013. Mining versus Oil Extraction: Divergent and Differentiated Environmental Subjectivities in "Post-Neoliberal" Ecuador. The Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Anthropology 18(3): 485-504.
Zalik, Anna. 2011. "Protest as Violence in Oilfields: The Contested Representation of Profiteering in Two Extractive Sites" in S. Feldman, C. Geisler and G. Menon (eds) Accumulating Insecurity. Athens, University of Georgia Press. p 261-284.
Rain Forest for Sale: Demand for oil is squeezing the life out of one of the world’s wildest places, National Geographic: 2013, by Scott Wallace.Drilling for Oil in Eden: Initiative to Save Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador Is Uncertain, Scientific American, March 17, 2012, by R. Douglas Fields
Reflection Papers Students will have two short writing assignments while in Ecuador, which are part of their journal writing. The assignments are focused reflection papers that integrate experiential learning, guest presentations, readings, and overall thoughts and questions. Students write daily in a journal and use descriptive observations, reflections, and questions as a basis for the two reflection papers. There is no set length, although 5 hand-written pages is the minimum.
Reflection Paper 1 is a field journal that includes lecture notes, personal observations, drawings, and field notes.
Reflection Paper 2 will be due towards the end of the trip. This paper takes the form of a research proposal, and will describe the following: a) What do you want to do or discover? b) What primary information and data have you gathered?, c) How will you gather the needed secondary materials and information? d) How will you present your materials and information? and e)Why do you think this project is worthwhile? By the end of the two weeks in Ecuador, you should have discussed your ideas for your Final Research Paper or project with Peter.
The Final Research Paper should explore some aspect of the Battle Over Oil and Biodiversity in Ecuador´s Amazon, a very broad and malleable theme. Exactly what the final product will look like will be tailored to fit your academic goals and interests. While the research project can be designed to give you an opportunity to express your learning through non-traditional media, the final product must include a written research paper.
The research paper should follow commonly accepted rules of academic scholarship and consist of at least 3500 words. The project will be due one month after the Spring Semester begins (Feb. 13, 2017). Late work will not be accepted.