Academic Partnerships & Affiliations
York University

The York University International Internship Program (YIIP) provides both York undergraduate and graduate students a non-credit opportunity to apply their academic knowledge to an international work environment and enhance their job-related skills in an international and intercultural setting. COTERC has hosted interns since the program began in 2004. Interns participate in marine turtle and large mammal monitoring projects, and community development initiatives.
Laurentian University

Since 2010, the Department of Anthropology at Laurentian University in
Sudbury, Ontario, Canada has partnered with COTERC and Cano Palma Biological
Station to offer undergraduate students the opportunity to gain experience in
applied Anthropology. The six credit hybrid course (online and in-field) allows
students the opportunity to design, carry out, and report on the biocultural perspective on nature resource management. In 2010, students examined the biocultural aspects of the Manacaria palm which is used for thatching in the area. In 2012, students examined non-human primate ecology through the biocultural perspective as well. They participate in the station’s ongoing field research in its tropical setting, and explore the social and culture, and
high biodiversity habitat in the area. The course is headed by Dr. Kymberley A. Snarr,
Laurentian University, Barrie Campus.
Sudbury, Ontario, Canada has partnered with COTERC and Cano Palma Biological
Station to offer undergraduate students the opportunity to gain experience in
applied Anthropology. The six credit hybrid course (online and in-field) allows
students the opportunity to design, carry out, and report on the biocultural perspective on nature resource management. In 2010, students examined the biocultural aspects of the Manacaria palm which is used for thatching in the area. In 2012, students examined non-human primate ecology through the biocultural perspective as well. They participate in the station’s ongoing field research in its tropical setting, and explore the social and culture, and
high biodiversity habitat in the area. The course is headed by Dr. Kymberley A. Snarr,
Laurentian University, Barrie Campus.
McMaster University

The Department of Biology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada partnered with COTERC/CPBS in 2010 to offer undergraduate students an opportunity to gain experience in field biology. Their partnering included the development and delivery of a two week course which was designed to give students the opportunity to participate in ongoing field research in a tropical setting and to explore habitats of high biodiversity. The focus of the course was the long-term monitoring of sea turtle nesting activities through the COTERC Sea Turtle Monitoring Project;
however, the station’s location within the Barra Colorado Wildlife Refuge also provided daily
exposure to a wide variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects. As well, one of
their PhD candidates, April Stevens, received DONNER funding through COTERC to carry out data
collection on her doctoral work to determine potential climate change impacts on marine turtle
nesting habitat and determine the effectiveness of educational programs for sea turtle conservation.
however, the station’s location within the Barra Colorado Wildlife Refuge also provided daily
exposure to a wide variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects. As well, one of
their PhD candidates, April Stevens, received DONNER funding through COTERC to carry out data
collection on her doctoral work to determine potential climate change impacts on marine turtle
nesting habitat and determine the effectiveness of educational programs for sea turtle conservation.
Vanier College

Vanier College is a public English language Cegep, well-known for its
welcoming and caring learning environment, where students are treated as individuals, and where the highly qualified faculty and staff help each student identify and attain his or her academic, career and personal goals. The Vanier College Environmental and Wildlife Management program provides students with a science-based education as technologists specializing in environmental monitoring and the management of renewable natural resources.
The program uses a practical, hands-on approach to field and laboratory skills. The first two
years of the program are spent mostly on campus where students learn the skills
needed for their career. Third year students polish their skills with either a field
or laboratory based internship, hosted by government and academic institutions
or environmental businesses and organizations, such as COTERC. This program
produces graduates who work in private, public, and academic organizations
involved in the inventory and management of birds, mammals, fish and habitats.
welcoming and caring learning environment, where students are treated as individuals, and where the highly qualified faculty and staff help each student identify and attain his or her academic, career and personal goals. The Vanier College Environmental and Wildlife Management program provides students with a science-based education as technologists specializing in environmental monitoring and the management of renewable natural resources.
The program uses a practical, hands-on approach to field and laboratory skills. The first two
years of the program are spent mostly on campus where students learn the skills
needed for their career. Third year students polish their skills with either a field
or laboratory based internship, hosted by government and academic institutions
or environmental businesses and organizations, such as COTERC. This program
produces graduates who work in private, public, and academic organizations
involved in the inventory and management of birds, mammals, fish and habitats.
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) is Canada’s premier
polytechnic. At SAIT education and training are enhanced through applied research, technology, and innovation activities, including applied research based on identified industry need. The Bachelor of Applied Technology – Geographic Information Systems Program at SAIT collaborates with COTERC to use spatial information tools in support of conservation-focused research activities. For the past several years a number of projects have been completed covering themes
such as land classification via remotely sensed data, data management, and web-based mapping.
Additionally a group of students have been working on a baseline coverage
analysis and spatial analysis of large mammals in the Barra del Colordado
Wildlife Refuge. The students use information provided by COTERC and the Costa
Rican government to complete a major project. COTERC is pleased to continue this
relationship with SAIT, and we look forward to some fascinating findings in the
coming years.
polytechnic. At SAIT education and training are enhanced through applied research, technology, and innovation activities, including applied research based on identified industry need. The Bachelor of Applied Technology – Geographic Information Systems Program at SAIT collaborates with COTERC to use spatial information tools in support of conservation-focused research activities. For the past several years a number of projects have been completed covering themes
such as land classification via remotely sensed data, data management, and web-based mapping.
Additionally a group of students have been working on a baseline coverage
analysis and spatial analysis of large mammals in the Barra del Colordado
Wildlife Refuge. The students use information provided by COTERC and the Costa
Rican government to complete a major project. COTERC is pleased to continue this
relationship with SAIT, and we look forward to some fascinating findings in the
coming years.
HAS Den Bosch University of Applied Arts and Sciences

HAS Den Bosch University of Applied Sciences is the key training
institute and a centre of expertise for the food and agriculture sector in the
southern part of the Netherlands. HAS Den Bosch specializes in agriculture, horticulture, food, nature conservation, and environment. The university is especially known for providing its students personal attention and support as well as professional supervision. HAS Den Bosch
maintains excellent relations with the industry and therefore has established a wide network
of important companies and organizations in relevant field of expertise. For approximately
2000 students, HAS Den Bosch provides education in 14 four-year bachelor programs, two of
which are being fully taught in English; Horticulture & Business Management,
and International Food & Agribusiness. The basis assumption of HAS Den
Bosch can be defined as a qualitatively high-standard, talent-based
education concept which is linked to a strong connection between
education, trade and industry. Interns from HAS carry out their projects at
CPBS at various times during the year.
institute and a centre of expertise for the food and agriculture sector in the
southern part of the Netherlands. HAS Den Bosch specializes in agriculture, horticulture, food, nature conservation, and environment. The university is especially known for providing its students personal attention and support as well as professional supervision. HAS Den Bosch
maintains excellent relations with the industry and therefore has established a wide network
of important companies and organizations in relevant field of expertise. For approximately
2000 students, HAS Den Bosch provides education in 14 four-year bachelor programs, two of
which are being fully taught in English; Horticulture & Business Management,
and International Food & Agribusiness. The basis assumption of HAS Den
Bosch can be defined as a qualitatively high-standard, talent-based
education concept which is linked to a strong connection between
education, trade and industry. Interns from HAS carry out their projects at
CPBS at various times during the year.