What if you could “do” ecology in the field, along with scientists and students from other cultures?  Teens from Mexico, the United States, Central and South America, Europe, and Asia get just that opportunity with EPI.  Baja Expeditions supports the program by subsidizing the cost of a week-long program on Espiritu Santo Island and the use of our research vessel, the Pez Sapo.

Ecology Project International is a non-profit organization.  Its mission is to develop place-based, ecological education partnerships between local experts and high school students to address critical conservation issues.  EPI engages youth from local communities and the United States in conservation as they learn about and help protect threatened species and habitats.

Baja Expeditions provides the support infrastructure for EPI students in the Sea of Cortez, where they assist local scientists in authentic field investigations.  Students collect data on whales migrating around the Baja Peninsula.  They also conduct research on benthic macro-invertebrates (your spineless bottom-feeders) on Espiritu Santo Island, a nature preserve in the “world’s greatest aquarium.”

The students' findings are then compiled into a database.  Scientists use these observations to monitor species distibution, look for climactic influence on populations, and measure human impacts on sensitive marine and desert environments.  Just as important is the impact on the students themselves.

Omar Leon grew up in a fishing community, viewing the Sea of Cortez as just a place from which to extract resources.  Then Omar took an EPI field course in whale ecology.  He was amazed at what could be learned from studying just one single species.

Omar’s experience inspired him to set an example of responsible fishery practices.  He is a conservationbe a leader of his generation—ready, able, and willing to give back to the environment.

Monitoring animal behavior and tracking wildlife to collect data is not the only work that EPI’s teen ecologists do.  They also aid local conservationists by restoring habitat and removing invasive species—leaving a place better than they find it.

And they learn why and how.  Academic components of EPI programs include art, writing, geography, science, local cultures, languages, leadership, and practical research skills, learning by doing.

“Ecology Project International changed my life,” says Allysa Veigel, from the plains of Texas.  Though she grew up far from the ocean, she dreamed of studying marine life.  Then she discovered EPI’s Whale Ecology Program.

She was able to work with four marine biologists, working on dolphin sounds and amino acids in blue whales.  Allysa completed her own research project on migration patterns of sperm whales.  All took place on the water, sleeping on board of the research vessel.  Working side-by-side with scientists, immersed in the world of marine biology, Allysa not only gained skills she will need as a marine biologist, but the confidence to follow her dreams.

EPI is based in Montana, with programs in Yellowstone, Baja California, Costa Rica, and the Galapagos.  For more information about EPI, see www.ecologyproject.org.


An EPI group recently went on Whales’ Tails and Mission Trails: the Baja Expeditions trip through historical missions to the Whale Sanctuary at Ignacio Lagoon.

For information about other Baja Expeditions educational programs, see www.bajaex.com/Plan-Your-Adventure/Special-Interest-Trips.aspx for families and individuals and www.bajaex.com/Educational-Explorations.aspx for groups and classes seeking a custom-tailored program >