The Torch

Issue date: 3/11/10 Section: Features

Media Credit: Joe Russin Snakes, frogs, lizards, plants and lots of recreation were all part of Joe Russin's students' past trips to Costa Rica. Beginning with classroom studies this summer and then flying to Central America, students will use the following three weeks traveling through three separate ecosystems. The educational/recreational class is open to both students and general public. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Joe Russin [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Joe Russin [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Joe Russin [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Joe Russin [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Joe Russin [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Joe Russin [Click to enlarge]

Coral snakes, Howler monkeys and Poison-Arrow frogs are just a few of the hundreds of life forms that have been seen on Joe Russin's field biology trips in Costa Rica. He's going again this year, and now is the time to sign up.

The four-week course, worth four credit hours, is open to the public, and students. The cost for the trip is approximately $3,000 per individual.

"I went to Costa Rica for an experience that I knew I wouldn't get from a travel agent," education major Heather Dillon said. She had been on Russin's 2008 trip to Costa Rica. "I went to learn about the various rain forests so that I can bring the world a little bit closer inside my own classroom."

During July 11-15, for three hours per day on the LCC campus, classes will cover basic ecology, evolution and taxonomy. These classes will familiarize students, whether biology majors or not, with the many life forms they will encounter.

On July 25, after a week to pack, students will fly to San Jose, Costa Rica. From there, the overland adventure begins.

Three different ecosystems will be studied - a tropical rainforest on the Caribbean side, a dry forest on the Pacific side, and a cloud forest in a mountainous area on the Continental Divide. This final destination, called Monteverde, is world-renowned for its biodiversity.

"Go 1,000 feet west of the Continental Divide and you will be in the beginning of a dry chaparral region," LCC biology instructor Russin, said. "Go 1,000 feet east of the divide and you will be in a rainforest. Because of its unique location, Monteverde has 12 different microclimates."

"We went to three different environments and saw amazing things in each," Dillon said. "Seeing the wildlife was awesome. Being surrounded in the rain forest by white faced Capuchin monkeys was a thrill of a lifetime."

Other than mosquitoes, there are very few obnoxious bugs to deal with. Russin said even Hawaii has more cockroaches than Costa Rica. Malaria and other tropical diseases are of no concern. The only shots required for the trip are tetanus and hepatitis.

"The water is safe to drink, and the food is good," Russin said. "The food is very basic. The staples are beans and rice with the occasional addition of fish, chicken or beef. Vegetarians are easily accommodated."

Regarding scorpions, snakes and spiders, the prudent student should check their shoes and bedding.

"For a third world country, this is one of the easiest and safest to travel in," Russin said. "There is no standing army, so their money goes into infrastructure and other needs."

Guests stay in clean cabins with four to six individuals per room. "This is obviously not a trip for loners," Russin said.

Five percent of the world's plant and animal diversity is found in Costa Rica. This is a big percentage for a country that is so small. By comparison, Costa Rica is one-fifth the size of Oregon.

The country's coastlines, with the Continental Divide in the middle, influence the lushness and diversity. Costa Rica has 132 miles of coastline on its Caribbean side, and 780 miles on its Pacific side. Oregon has 363 miles of coastline on the Pacific.

"Joe was an excellent teacher - very knowledgeable," Dillon said. "It was great getting to know and work with various people. Some were there as biology majors, but there were some, myself included, who had an entirely different major and just wanted to go for the experience. It was both fun and educational."

Besides being informative, with day hikes and night walks, Russin also takes time to allow participants to do a variety of non-educational activities such as horseback riding, ziplining, beach walks and snorkeling. There is also a visit to a sustainable, shade-grown coffee plantation, a boat trip and a salsa dance class.

There will be an informational seminar with slides, videos, refreshments and information about how to apply for the class on Thursday, March 11 from 5-6 p.m., in Building 16, Room 111. RSVP by calling Joe Russin at 541-463-5452 or emailing russinj@lanecc.edu.

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