Universit� degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

The Unimore Field School 2025 in Costa Rica has concluded

The 2025 edition of the Field School - Costa Rica, a unique training and field research experience for Unimore students and researchers, organised in collaboration with the Associazione Foreste per Sempre OdV, closed with an institutional meeting at the Italian Embassy in Costa Rica.

Ambassador Alberto Colella, together with the Consul and Embassy staff, welcomed the 13 students taking part in the expedition, accompanied by professors, technicians and researchers: Prof. Dario Sonetti, director of the ‘Italy-Costa Rica’ Biological and Meteoclimatic Research Station, Prof. Matteo Dal Zotto (Department of Life Sciences and President of Foreste per Sempre OdV), Meteorologist Luca Lombroso (DIEF Unimore Geophysical Observatory) and Dr. Stefano Francesconi (DIEF Unimore Geophysical Observatory). Matteo Dal Zotto (Department of Life Sciences and President of Foreste per Sempre OdV), Meteorologist Luca Lombroso (Geophysical Observatory of DIEF Unimore) and Dr. Stefano Francesconi of Foreste per Sempre OdV; the expedition was also attended by Dr. Giulia Santunione of the Department of Life Sciences.

Professor Lorena Rebecchi, Director of the Department of Life Sciences, and Professor Alessandro Capra, Rector's Delegate for International Relations, also participated via video link..

During the meeting, the results of the scientific, didactic and volunteer activities carried out in Costa Rica were illustrated, with a focus on the studies conducted at the Biological and Meteoclimatic Station ‘Italia Costa Rica’ in the Karen Mogensen Reserve. It was also an opportunity to discuss possible international collaborations and bilateral agreements between Unimore and Costa Rican academic and scientific institutions..

‘My hope is that continuity will be given to the biodiversity campus and to the activities of Unimore's meteorological observatory in Costa Rica and that, over time, student mobility agreements and research collaborations between Unimore and Costa Rican universities will be added. Contacts have already been launched with the support of the Italian Embassy in Costa Rica,' commented Prof. Capra.

The Field School began with an extended stay at the Karen Mogensen Reserve, which hosts the "Italia Costa Rica" Biological and Meteoclimatic Station, where participants deepened their studies on tropical meteorology, climate change, fauna, and flora. The experience continued with the exploration of the Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve, an untouched corner of forest and coastline facing the Pacific Ocean, followed by the Palo Verde National Park, characterised by vast wetland areas, home to an extraordinary variety of species. The journey then took them through the misty forests of the Tenorio Volcano and Miravalles National Park, where participants had the chance to observe unique ecosystems up close. Finally, the itinerary reached the Caribbean coast with visits to the Tortuguero and Cahuita National Parks, both crucial for the protection of marine and terrestrial biodiversity.

The Field School in Costa Rica is recognised as a university internship thanks to the agreement between the Foreste per Sempre Association and Unimore, offering students an extraordinary opportunity to develop scientific and professional skills directly in the field.

Categorie: International - english, Notizie_eng