Study Abroad at the North & Central American Boundary

Sky Island Borderlands,
U.S. & Mexico

Round River was born in the American West, and we continue to partner with like minded communities and organizations to steward these lands. Our latest partnership with Sky Island Alliance furthers our commitment to large landscape conservation in North America. A world biodiversity hotspot, the Sky Islands are where the jaguar and black bear meet, where bromeliads grow in the arms of maple trees, and spicy chiltepin pepper and sweet Arizona canyon grape grow side-by-side.

Students help monitor wildlife movement across the U.S.-Mexico border using camera traps, survey perennial springs that provide life-giving water in the desert, and study the elevational distribution of key species like the saguaro cactus. Experience the wide-open spaces of the Borderlands where students camp, research, and study in the rugged transboundary Madrean Archipelago of southern Arizona and northern Mexico. Join us to get your hands dirty, sleep out under the desert stars, and dig into the ever-changing conservation issues on the US-Mexico border.

I learned how the border is affecting wildlife, how to do ecological surveys, how to carry out a scientific study and write a paper that will be used by conservationists, and how conservation and cultural issues tie together.
– Perrin, Bowdoin College, Sky Islands Borderlands ‘21

Program Details

Program Dates

Fall and Spring Semester

Fall Semester – 12 weeks, mid September to mid December

Spring Semester – 12 weeks, late January to late April

Summer Term Program

6 weeks, Late June to early August

Courses Offered

Fall and spring semesters – 15 credits

Introduction to Natural History
Biological Field Methods
Applied Conservation Biology
Humans and the Environment
Applied Ecology

Summer term – 9 Credits

Introduction to Natural History
Biological Field Methods
Applied Conservation Biology

Program Costs

Our study abroad program costs include:

Tuition for 15 credits
Lodging
Research Fees
In-country travel and transportation
Group equipment

Meals
Cultural activities
Medical evacuation services
Travel agent support
Pre Departure and onsite orientation

Financial Support

We believe every student should have the opportunity to join our team, regardless of financial barriers. That’s why we accept federal financial aid and external scholarships, and have need-based scholarships available upon application to make our programs accessible to everyone.

What to Expect

Base Camp

Base Camp is in the abandoned ghost town of Ruby, Arizona. Once a bustling mining town in the 1930’s and 40’s, Ruby is now a private campsite just a few miles north of the border. Surrounded by National Forest land, Ruby provides a great refuge and habitat for all types of wildlife, including mountain lions and a colony of around 100,000 Mexican free-tailed bats living in the old mine shafts.

Main Towns

Ruby is about a 30 minute drive from the small town of Arivaca. Arivaca has a small general store and a post office and will be visited often throughout a program. Tucson, Arizona is just under two hours from Ruby and Phoenix is about a 3-4 hours drive.

Field Camps

Field camps will vary based on research locations, and amenities can range from front-country camping with running water and latrines, to primitive back-country camping where you backpack in everything you may need. While most accommodations are in tents, bunkhouses are available at one field location.

Research Locations

In the past, students have conducted field work within the Patagonia, Huachuca, Galiuro, Santa Theresa and Chiricahua mountain ranges. Field work includes camera trap studies along the U.S. Mexican border in some of these ranges, as well as natural spring surveys. Some locations require several days of backpacking to field sites.

Physical Demands

Our work necessitates spending long days in the field, involving hiking or backpacking through challenging terrain with fluctuating elevation changes, often in potentially windy, wet, and cold conditions. We recommend you adequately prepare both physically and mentally for these demanding conditions.

Weather and Climate

The Sky Islands climate can vary greatly. Since the region has such drastic elevation changes, temperatures can be very hot and dry on the desert floor and very cold and snowy on mountain peaks. Students should be prepared for both types of extreme temperatures during a program.

Academics

Our academics complement the field research and are designed to be interactive and hands-on. You can expect to dedicate a few hours each day to working on your field journals, engaging in group discussions on relevant articles, participating in lectures and class activities, and deepening your understanding of natural history. Guest lectures, when possible, will further enrich your knowledge of conservation and land-use planning in the area. Each program culminates with the completion of a final written research paper, focusing on one aspect of the project, accompanied by a presentation.

Read Alumni Reviews

Map

Language

All lectures and field activities will be conducted in English.

Group Dynamics

You are expected to partake in camp chores and projects, gaining experience in communal living and project management. The group will help with tasks such as cooking, maintaining clean and organized communal spaces, logistic planning, risk assessment for projects, and data entry.

Schedules

Schedules will vary depending on the needs of projects, academics, and group well-being, as well as the specific program location, with days off interspersed for relaxation or exploration. At base camp, each day may include a mix of academics, project planning, downtime, and chores. In the field, days may be filled with hiking, backpacking, and work, with interspersed academic sessions, relaxation time, and general camp upkeep. Evenings are typically spent at camp. Due to the dynamic nature of our programs, schedules may change frequently, so we ask that you be flexible and adaptable. We encourage students to arrive with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn, embracing the opportunity to make the most of their experience.

Pre-Departure

Before each program, you will need to complete several paperwork packets and attend orientation sessions. For detailed information on these requirements, as well as important details such as vaccine recommendations, please refer to the pre departure page [here].

Packing List

You are responsible for your personal gear while on the program. Here is a short list of necessary, big-ticket items required for a semester in the Sky Islands. A comprehensive packing list tailored to your specific program will be provided post-enrollment. Group gear and equipment is provided on the program.

Travel and Visas

Students will fly into either Phoenix or Tucson and be met by their program instructors. Students must have a valid passport for potential field work in Sonora, Mexico.

Research Objectives

In the Round River Sky Island Borderlands program, we play a supportive role alongside the Sky Island Alliance, focusing on advancing ongoing projects and initiating new conservation efforts where resources are limited. Our collaboration with Sky Island Alliance allows us to contribute to their vital conservation work, addressing opportunities that often require additional manpower and expertise.

In Their Own Words

Get an in-depth view of our Sky Island Borderlands Student Program from current student and alumni experiences.