(Australia, Yungaburra) SFS: Rainforests of Australia (Summer Session I)

Venture into the lush rainforests, wild savannas, and vibrant reef systems of tropical northern Australia and discover what makes these ecosystems some of the most unique on Earth. Explore the Wet Tropics up close while learning how climate, fire, and human history have shaped this biodiversity hotspot. Hike through ancient forests, collect ecological data in the field, and snorkel on an island on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Along the way, you’ll gain field research skills, view some of Australia’s extraordinary wildlife, and dive into big questions of conservation and climate resilience. 

You'll take the Rainforests of Australia course, complemented by hikes through the World Heritage Wet Tropics, home to ancient rainforest species, endangered marsupials, and evolutionary lineages stretching back to Gondwana; snorkeling near the Great Barrier Reef and explore the relationships between land, sea, and the species that depend on both; use of scientific tools to identify species, track biodiversity using citizen science platforms, and analyze habitat fragmentation; exploring diverse habitats to compare ecosystem structure, disturbance, and recovery across landscapes.

Funding eligible when combined with SFS Australia Session 2