DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Ridge to Reefs: Connecting Communities and Ecosystems

Two of the College of Education’s science education professors, Dr. Tammy Lee and Bonnie Glass, led students on a study abroad trip to the Dominican Republic. The trip’s itinerary, Ridge to Reefs: Connecting Communities and Ecosystems, focused on exploring how humans impact the tropical ecosystems of the Dominican Republic, from its mountain ridges to its reefs.

“Our curriculum used a system-thinking approach for exploring how humans use sustainability efforts to renourish ecological areas such as sea grass beds, coral reefs, and mangrove forests,” said Dr. Lee. “ECU students were able to explore how these sustainable efforts are being used to support and help communities economically while protecting the resources that are vital to these ecosystems.”

Students learned how Taino Farm uses aquaponics for sustainable agriculture. They also visited the Altamira Basin, where 30 local women manage an organic chocolate factory.