Skip to content

Programs : Brochure

This page is the brochure for your selected program. You can view the provided information for this program on this page and click on the available buttons for additional options.

Conservation of Biodiversity in a Changing World (Outgoing Program) Featured

Print 

  • Locations: Claremont, United States; Oahu, Hawaii, United States;
  • Program Terms: Spring
  • Restrictions: Pomona applicants only
  • This program is currently not accepting applications.
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Language of instruction: English Housing options: Hostel/Hotel, Program House
Areas of study: Biology, Environmental Studies, Public Policy Class standing: 0 - First Year, 1 - Sophmore, 2 - Junior, 3 - Senior
Program Description:
Conservation of Biodiversity in a Changing World will be led by Willard George Halstead Zoology Professor of Biology Nina J. Karnovsky and Associate Professor of Biology Wallace M. Meyer III in spring 2025.

This faculty-led program will provide students with experience in conservation science through the lens of indigenous perspectives. Conservationists around the world look to Hawai’i to learn the innovative ways they are tackling the problems of climate change, introduced species, habitat loss, pollution, and more. In this course students will collaborate with conservation practitioners in Hawai’i to participate in authentic conservation work. Students will gain expertise in diverse approaches, various scientific tools, and indigenous perspectives that are important in tackling complex conservation problems.FLP Hawaii 2


Academic Program:
Students will enroll in Biology 133: Conservation of Biodiversity in a Changing World for spring 2025. This program earns 1 Pomona credit that counts as an upper division biology course with lab and is open to Pomona students only. The program will run for the entire spring semester on campus and includes a required field study on O’ahu, Hawai’i, over spring break. 

Pre-departure phase: During the semester, participants will meet once a week on campus for a seminar in which students lead discussions of scientific papers. Students will also engage with the scientists who authored these papers and conservation practitioners in Hawai’i via Zoom.

On-island phase: During spring break, the class will travel to O’ahu, Hawai’i, to carry out conservation research with in-person mentoring from collaborators and the faculty leaders. They will learn about the cultural importance and threats facing endangered sails as well as the conservation strategies being used to try to save these species. After learning to identify native plant and snail species, students will carry out surveys for native and non-native species.

At several reserves established to protect native seabirds and culturally important places, students will work with scientists from non-profits and universities as well as community members to help preserve seabirds nesting in these reserves. Students will participate in population monitoring and diet assessments of albatrosses and shearwaters.

Post-travel phase: Upon return from Hawai’i, students will continue to meet weekly to process samples and to finalize three capstone projects: Snail Stories (blog, vlog, or pamphlet, etc.), Plastic in the Diets of Seabirds (scientific paper and poster) and Voices of Conservation (podcast).


Program Dates: January 21 – May 16, 2025
Pre-departure phase: January 21 – March 14, 2025
On-island phase: March 14 – 23, 2025
Post-travel phase: March 24 – May 16, 2025


Program Fee:
$1,200 - includes academic program in O’ahu, housing during on-island phase, three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during on-island phase, round-trip group flight to O’ahu, and local transportation in O’ahu.

Through generous donations from alumni and grants from Pomona College, financial aid is available (see Financial Aid section below). 


Estimated Additional Expenses:
Personal expenses such as laundry, cell phones, other personal items, etc. will be the student’s responsibility.


Withdrawal and Refund Policy:
Pomona College makes significant financial commitments based on expected student participation. Students will be subject to the withdrawal policy after signing the enrollment agreement.


Financial Aid: 
Students are encouraged to apply to this program regardless of financial status. Thanks to generous donor support, need-based grants (for eligible students) and merit-based grants are available to apply towards the program fee for Pomona College students. Students interested in applying for these grants will complete a scholarship questionnaire as part of their program application.


Living Arrangements:
The group will stay in hotels or other group housing arrangements made the by the College.


Number of Students:
Enrollment is 10-12 students.


Eligibility:
  • Completion of Biology 41E: Introductory Ecology and Evolutionary Biology or the equivalent.
  • This program is open to all majors.
  • This program is open to Pomona College students only.
  • Students must be enrolled in good academic and disciplinary standing to apply for and participate in this program.

Application Timeline:
In order to apply to this program, contact idpo@pomona.edu to request an application. After the application deadline (October 11), Professor Karnovsky and Professor Meyer will contact students with completed applications for an interview. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of October 21.

Students will be notified on November 5 if they’ve been selected for the program. Students must submit their enrollment agreement by November 15 to confirm their place in the program. When registration opens, students will also submit a PERM request for BIOL 133.
 


Dates / Deadlines:

There are currently no active application cycles for this program.

This program is currently not accepting applications.