School of Natural Resources faculty members led study abroad programs in Mexico and Japan this summer.

Mexico

Assistant Professor Alejandro Molina-Moctezuma led the Ecology and Conservation of Neotropical Fishes in Mexico program. They visited the Unidad Académica Sisal, part of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, which works with marine environments, fisheries, fish ecology, and coastal ecosystems. Students also visited a lab focused on octopus reproduction and spoke to scientists about reef ecology, marine ornamental species, and parrotfish ecology. The group also toured mangroves in the Río Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, where they saw flamingos and crocodiles and learned about fish biodiversity. They also went to the Ek Balam Mayan Ruins and Cenotes and visited the San Felipe fishing town, where they went fly fishing for tarpon.

Japan

Professor Shigetoshi Eda led the One Health Approach in Agriculture and Natural Resources in Japan program. They traveled to Tokyo first, where they visited the Tokyo University of Agriculture (NODAI). Students climbed into rice paddy fields and planted rice. The group trekked up Mt. Takao outside Tokyo for a biodiversity tour. They later boarded the Shinkansen, or bullet train, to Kyoto, where they wandered through the Arashiyama bamboo forest. Students also toured the Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and walked through the famous Gion geisha district. The group sped to Nagoya on another Shinkansen and visited Nagoya University (NU). They saw rice and goat experiments as well as a cow ultrasound. They also learned how to make matcha at a tea farm in Nishio and later toured the grounds of Nagoya Castle.