The OTS program on "Emerging Frontiers in Tropical Science" identifies emerging issues in tropical science and draws together scientists across a range of disciplines, institutions, and geographies to holistically address these issues. Through this program, OTS aims to advance multi-disciplinary, multi-scale efforts working on cutting-edge issues that have the ability to transform tropical science and education. This program seeks to catalyze research conducted in and around OTS research stations in Costa Rica.

Emerging Frontiers in Tropical Science- Working Groups competition funds workshops for the collaborative development of proposals to test cutting-edge theories or for conducting analyses of existing data. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, global climate change impacts on tropical ecosystems, water sustainability and governance, restoration and adaptation, and biosafety related to invasive species and emerging diseases.

Expected products are research proposals to the US National Science Foundation or similar funding organizations, curricular materials for field courses, and manuscripts and synthesis papers to be published in peer reviewed journals.

EFTS-WG grant typically will support a workshop of 8-10 scientists or educators to work collaboratively for 4-5 days at one of OTS research stations. Researchers of all nationalities working on tropical issues may apply for an EFTS-WG grant.  

After almost a quarter of century dedicated to OTS graduate courses, Barbara Lewis has initiated a transition process that will culminate with her retirement in 2017. Her schedule will change to part-time as her responsibilities move to Andrés Santana, who previously coordinated the Specialty Courses of the Graduate Program.  

"Barbara has been fundamental to the OTS graduate courses for almost a quarter of century. She has facilitated education to a complete generation of tropical biologists from United States and Latin America," stated Liana Babbar, OTS Director for Costa Rica.  

Colleagues, professors, and students who know Barbara all agree that her dedication, professionalism, and genuine enthusiasm for the OTS graduate courses have been great assets to the students of OTS. One of her most important legacies is the implementation of a scholarship program, which allowed students to access OTS courses regardless of economic means, thus creating life-changing experiences for many young biologists.

Barbara arrived to OTS as a student of the Tropical Biology course in 1974, returned in 1976 to live in Costa Rica, and in 1991, she joined the OTS Education Department. With a wide and proud smile, she expressed that she feels most proud "to have succeeded in maintaining the quality of our education programs over the years."

As Andrés Santana begins to take over Barbara's role, Barbara will offer advice, continue to strengthen the program, and support the courses during the transition. "For me it represents a big opportunity and a privilege to coordinate one of the most important OTS programs. Barbara has been an excellent mentor and I count on her support", stressed Andrés.

OTS welcomes Andrés into his new role and offers its immense gratitude to Barbara for her years of service!  

In an effort to advance OTS'  institutional goals of achieving ecological and financial sustainability, the La Selva Biological Station has undertaken a series of ambitious measures to reduce electricity consumption which is one of its most significant monthly costs. These efforts, as of 2014, have already created a 25% reduction in electricity consumption since 2011.

Now, La Selva is poised to take a giant leap forward, hoping to generate as close as possible to 100% of its electricity with the installation of the most technologically advanced solar panels.  

The proposal and initial quote from Solar Ing, a long-time partner and donor in the installation of solar water heaters,  covers 100% of the station´s needs through the installation of state-of-the-art photovoltaic panels. The announcement of this proposal generated a great deal of excitement. The OTS staff and Board of Directors are now reviewing it and proposals from additional companies.   

Sonia Lopez, Pablo Richard, Gabriela Vargas (pictured below from left to right), and Patricia Carrillo (not pictured) stand ready to help faculty members conduct research at the OTS field stations and/or bring their students to Costa Rica. 

"We are working right now on reservations for Spring Break this coming March," said Pablo Richard, the newly designated head of the reservations staff.  "Groups interested in coming in May and June are not far behind in getting our attention.  If you are interested in bringing your students or conducting research at our stations this summer, do get in touch with us." 

The OTS academic logistics staff has assisted hundreds of faculty members throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and even, Costa Rica itself, enhance their course trips by arranging everything from hotel reservations, to transportation, to meals, to day activities, to research permits.   With three full-service research stations in which to conduct field-training, a dedicated staff in San Jose as well as at Las Cruces, La Selva, and Palo Verde, and decades of experience with our own courses traveling throughout Costa Rica, they are perfectly suited to help faculty members create memorable courses.

"We can be of assistance to researchers too!  If a faculty member is interested in visiting our stations during the next academic calendar year, 2015-2016, he or she definitely should contact us."  Pablo Richard added.  "We hope to be booked solidly next January, and the rates are good right now too!"      

Click here for more information or email Pablo Richard directly at pablo.richard@ots.cr. 

One year ago Nalini Nadkarni and Nat Wheelwright launched a Kickstarter campaign to update and translate  their book on the ecology and conservation of Monteverde's cloud forests into Spanish and make it available online and free to Spanish-speaking educators, students, guides, decision-makers, naturalists and ecotourists around the world.

Thanks to the support of the tropical community, "Monteverde: ecología y conservación de un bosque nuboso tropical" (Wheelwright, N.T., and Nadkarni, N.M., editors, 2014) has just been published as Book 3 in the Bowdoin's Scholars' Bookshelf (digitalcommons.bowdoin.edu/scholars-bookshelf/3). The English version of the book is also now available free online (digitalcommons.bowdoin.edu/scholars-bookshelf/1/).

Congratulations to the whole team!