Programs | WINTER Programs | Philippines

Participants must arrive to the program fully vaccinated against COVID-19, having reviewed our health and safety page

Program Details

Location: Manila, Philippines

Dates: Winter 2025: January 15 – February 27, 2025

Applications: Accepted on a rolling admission basis

Accommodations:  Primarily camping, occasional youth hostel or rural lodge

Credits: 15 quarter credits or 10 semester credits

Language: English instruction

Courses: Environmental Wildlands Studies, Environmental Field Survey, Wildlands Environment and Culture

Prerequisites: One college level course in environmental studies, environmental science, ecology or similar. 18 years of age

Program Costs    

Philippines Winter 2025
$      150    Application Fee
$   7,000    Program Fee
$   4,700    In-Country Logistics Fee
$   2,250    Estimated Airfare
$    500    Estimated Food and Personal Expenses

$14,600    Total Estimated Cost
Winter 2025: Program fees due by November 1, 2024

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The Program

Join us in the Philippines as we explore island biodiversity in the Coral Triangle. The Philippine islands, particularly the Visayas archipelago, serve as a wonderful model for comparing tropical island biodiversity, conservation and marine ecology. The region boasts an incredible array of coral reefs and marine species, including whale sharks, manta rays and lionfish as well as rich rainforest ecosystems, including endemic species such as the Philippine tarsier and the Tamaraw. With this biodiverse classroom of the Philippine islands, we will use this rich focal area to study critical questions: How do species arise? How do we quantify biodiversity? What threats does biodiversity face? How do we conserve ecosystems? How do humans and ecosystems interact? 

 Our team will focus our studies in the Visayas archipelago using ferries and local land transportation. With a start on Cebu, the largest island in the archipelago, our team will investigate four unique islands in the chain, and end on the island of Luzon. On land we will explore lush cascades and dramatic limestone mountains such as Mount Manunggal; in the ocean, we will kayak and snorkel mangroves and coral reefs such as the Danjugan Island Sanctuary.

Armed with an understanding of island biogeography, our primary focus will be on comparing marine environments. We will conduct surveys to understand patterns that support local biodiversity, apply ichthyological concepts to describe fish species including their adaptations, and explore ecological interactions to understand why a species can be a vital part of one ecosystem and invasive in another. We will delve specifically into a review of the beautiful but venomous lionfish, known for its amazing ability to invade and adapt to a wide variety of marine ecosystems, and originates from here in the Philippines. We will also examine the many resources marine ecosystems provide for local people, with a lens on sustainable development, including aquaculture and local fishing habits.

Throughout the program, students will compare and evaluate different hypotheses that seek to explain how biodiversity, and specifically marine diversity, is maintained ecologically; describe methods and considerations for targeted and general marine conservation projects; and develop a dynamic understanding of the interplay between humans and our local environments. The ideal student for this course will be inspired by the diversity of life and curious about the ways in which humans can effectively steward our planet’s unique ecosystems.

  • The Philippines holds a rich history as a cultural crossroads of maritime voyagers and trade routes. Repeated migrations led to cultural and religious diversity, with unification of the archipelagos only occurring under Spanish colonization in the 16th century. Since independence, the Philippines has been known as a vibrant and diverse country that boasts rich natural ecosystems.

    The greater Malay Archipelago played a foundational role in Alfred Russell Wallace’s development of the hypothesis later termed the Wallace Line. This hypothesis highlights the role of zoogeography in evolution. Modern research still focuses on the remarkable diversity of the Philippines to understand speciation.

    The Coral Triangle, where the Philippines is located, is renowned as the most biodiverse ecoregion in the world, leading to a large body of work on how biodiversity arises and is maintained. Additionally, the Philippines is home to a number of endemic terrestrial species, such as the Philippines Tarsier and the Tamaraw, both of which are the focus of conservation programs. The Philippines islands are an ideal location to investigate evolutionary diversification and conservation in action.

  • Our team will meet in Cebu City on the island of Cebu, Philippines. Moving in an easterly circle, we will examine four additional island ecosystems and finish near the capital city of Manila, from which students will fly home. With the islands of the Visayas archipelago as our study site, students will learn the dynamics of island biogeography and the impact of island systems on the surrounding coral reef. Our time on each island will grant us the opportunity to understand resource use and compare the impacts of such on biodiversity.

    A very exciting component of our field study will be the opportunity to examine and better understand the evolutionary history that supports adaptation and niche creation of fishes. For this, we will use the case study of the lionfish, Pterois volitans. Lionfish are equipped with a suite of adaptations that help them survive in their native range of the Philippines. However, when they were introduced in the Western Atlantic, these same adaptations helped them to prey upon and outcompete native fishes, making them one of the most destructive marine invasions in history. With a specific focus on defensive spines and venom, we will explore the adaptations and ecological interactions to understand how an evolutionary mismatch has helped these invaders succeed in their introduced range.

    With the Visayas archipelago as our classroom, we will conduct multiple surveys to understand what factors support diversity, including currents, human impacts, and geological history. With our start on Cebu Island, we will explore the rugged mountains of Mt Mauyog and Mt Manunggal, and make observations to support our current understanding of Zoogeography and evolution. We depart Cebu via ferry to the island of Bohol, home to the marine sanctuary of Balicasag. Here we will initiate our marine studies, and get our first glimpse at our focal species, the lionfish. We also plan to visit the Philippine Tarsier sanctuary to learn about targeted conservation efforts of this endemic primate.

    Our third location is Siquijor and the adjacent island of Negros, named by the Spanish settlers. Known for pristine coral reefs and the tallest peak of the Visayas, the semi-active Kanlaon Volcano, team members can expect to witness incredible biodiversity both on land and sea, and learn firsthand about the island’s efforts for sustainable growth and conservation. We intend to conduct field studies at the Sambulawan underground river; the island of Negros; and the Dauin reef. Our field activities will also likely include an investigation of Panay, where research in aquaculture of milkfish or bangus occurs; and Mindoro, home to the endangered Tamaraw and a network of conservation efforts.

    Please note that prior field research experience is not required. All necessary skills of data acquisition will be taught on-site. Through our field studies we will make original observations to evaluate fundamental hypotheses for biodiversity. Team members can expect to have direct exposure to diverse marine and terrestrial ecosystems while learning about the conservation and sustainable development of those ecosystems.

  • Students will receive 15 quarter credits/10 semester credits from Western Washington University. Our staff will be happy to explain the program in further detail to the applicant’s advisor, if necessary. This field studies program gives credit in three courses: 

    Environmental Wildlands Studies (5 quarter credits/3.35 semester credits)
    Environmental Field Survey (5 quarter credits/3.35 semester credits)
    Wildlands Environment and Culture (5 quarter credits/3.35 semester credits)

    Letter grades are determined by the quality of assigned work, and by participation in field activities. Students will take two examinations during the program. Material covered on the exams includes field observations, class presentations, information gathered from interviews with local people, and assigned readings. Other assignments may include supervised ecological field research on an introductory level. Team members are also evaluated on participation in discussions and other class activities.

    Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a mature and responsible manner. Wildlands Studies reserves the right to require any student to withdraw from the program if their conduct is detrimental to or incompatible with the interests, safety, or welfare of any course participants. We ask all students to read the Student Program Manual before joining the program on-site.

  • Team Logistics

    Participants will fly into Cebu City, Philippines and meet at the Cebu Airport. We will finish in Manila and students will fly out of Manila airport. Participants can decide whether to fly home on the scheduled date or remain in the Philippines to travel on their own.

    Within the Philippines, we will travel as a group on both public and privately chartered transport. Examples include minibuses and scheduled ferries. Once we reach the islands, we may hire smaller, locally operated boats to get to our field sites.

    All reasonable efforts will be made to follow the activities outlined above. However, please understand that on our Philippines program, travel arrangements can remain tentative until the traveling actually takes place. Weather conditions, road closures, as well as bureaucratic considerations may affect our plans. Wildlands Studies has put together an innovative, unique program in the Philippines, and team members need to be flexible, patient, and prepared to adapt to unexpected situations. Being flexible also allows us to take advantage of unique opportunities that can produce some of the program’s most memorable moments. Participants are required to provide their own tent and tropical camping gear, including a mattress pad and blanket, sleeping sack, or lightweight sleeping bag. Cooking equipment is not necessary on this program.

    Accommodations

    Accommodations range from camping sites in the mountains or on the beach to dormitory style housing.

    Food

    Food is handled differently on each of our programs. Wildlands Studies will provide the majority of meals on this program utilizing local cafes, cultural centers and food provided by our in-country partners. Participants will be responsible for purchasing occasional meals, snacks, and any personal items. Detailed information about meals and food management will be provided in the Logistics Packet. If you have dietary questions or concerns, please call our office.

    Official Documents/Visa

    You will need a current passport that does not expire until six months after the end of the program. You will also need to obtain a three-month Tourist Visa from a Philippine consulate in the United States or other country. Please complete your visa application in plenty of time before the program starts, because the process may take longer than expected. If your passport is from a country other than the U.S., Canada, E.U., or British Commonwealth, please check with the Philippine Embassy to make sure that all of these visa policies apply to you.

    Language

    The course will be taught in English.

    Pre-Program Logistics Packet

    Detailed information regarding travel to the Philippines, and visa requirements, equipment/gear requirements, food costs, meeting plans, group expenses payment, medical and vaccination recommendations, and academic preparations will be sent to all team members in a logistics letter emailed about 10-12 weeks before the program starts. 

 
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Academic Syllabus

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Student Program Manual

 

Program Photo Gallery

Eric Witte

LEAD INSTRUCTOr

PhD candidate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UC Santa cruz
MA in STEAM Education, University of San Diego, 2021

Eric is an evolutionary biologist interested in venom and biological invasions. His current research focuses on the role of venom in lionfish invasion of coral reefs. He uses genomic techniques to understand both ancient and modern evolution. In addition to research, Eric is a passionate educator who taught biology in Morocco and Madagascar. He believes that travel helps us to develop a multidimensional understanding of other cultures and environments. Eric leads our Philippines program.