DATE: 19–22 July 2023 / PLACE: Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, Caribbean coast of Colombia

This course will have an experiential dynamic, developed through active learning activities that allow the expression of personal reflections and common commitments which can be applied in both public and private organizations, and which can serve as an impetus for the creation of new initiatives in academia, the private sector, government and communities.

Why the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta?

This swamp is located in the extreme northwest of the department of Magdalena and is considered the largest and most productive coastal lagoon in the Colombian Caribbean.

 

In 1998, Colombia joined the Ramsar Convention and the Magdalena River Delta Estuary System – the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta – was designated as the country’s first Wetland of International Importance.

 

Considering once again the rich fauna and flora of the ecoregion, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)  declared the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta a Biosphere Reserve in the year 2000, with the aim of harmoniously promoting the integration of populations and nature.

Local Ecosystem Services

International Instructors

KEN W. KRAUSS

Ph.D. KEN W. KRAUSS

U.S. Geological Survey

(virtual talk)

HORST SALZWEDEL

Ph.D. HORST SALZWEDEL

Independent Consultant

–

RAFAEL ARAUJO

Ph.D. RAFAEL ARAUJO

University of Miami

–

Host Instructors

CLARA INES VILLEGAS PALACIO

Ph.D. CLARA INES

VILLEGAS PALACIO

Environmental economics

–

ENRIQUE PEÑA

Ph.D. ENRIQUE

PEÑA

Ecosystem Services

–

JOSÉ ERNESTO MANCERA

Ph.D. JOSÉ ERNESTO

MANCERA

Ecology

(Scientific coordinator)

ANDRÉS FERNANDO OSORIO

Ph.D. ANDRÉS FERNANDO

OSORIO

Coastal Engineering

(General coordinator)

LAURA VICTORIA PERDOMO TRUJILLO

PhD. LAURA VICTORIA

PERDOMO TRUJILLO

Local Expert

JHON CANTILLO

JHON

CANTILLO

Local Expert

Why take this course?

 

Join our unique course located in the stunning environment of the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, and gain valuable insights into DECARBONIZATION and SUSTAINABILITY and how to provide consulting support to organizations in these areas. You’ll learn how to align your goals with global sustainability efforts while discovering BLUE CARBON – the carbon storage process found in coastal soils, including seagrasses, salt marshes, and mangroves. The course explores mangrove ecosystems, their potential for decarbonization, coastal protection and their rich biodiversity, as well as other ecosystem services and their relevance for communities, along with the emerging concept of the BLUE ECONOMY.

SCHEDULE

Day 1 | 19 July

MANGROVES: ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND PROBLEMS ASSESSMENT

 

Morning session: 

  • Transfer from Cartagena to Santa Marta.
  • Observation of the ecosystems present in the Ciénaga de la Virgen.
  • Visit to the National Park Isla de Salamanca.

LUNCH

  • Tour of the Los Cocos interpretive trail (km 10, first bridge in the mangrove area and in a state of conservation.

 

Afternoon session: (Arrival in Santa Marta)

  • Technical introduction to the course: Explanation of general aspects related to the topic of mangroves.

DINNER IN THE HOTEL

Day 2 | 20 July

OBSERVE AND PERCEIVE MANGROVES AND THEIR SURROUNDINGS

The activities of this day will be developed in the Ciénaga Grande, with learning focused on the ecology, biodiversity, and the physical processes and hydrological connectivity of the ecosystem.

 

Morning session:  

  • Breakfast in the Hotel (6:00 am)
  • Transfer to Puente de la Barra (7:00 am)
  • Place:  Tourist pier at Boca de la Barra (fresh and salt water paths). The Sevilla River and other rivers interconnected through Bogoducto (Sierra Nevada and uses of the agricultural zone – diversity of mangrove species). Barravieja (observation of fallen mangroves). Caño grande.

SNACK IN THE FIELD (sustainable products)

 

Afternoon session: 

LUNCH IN THE HOTEL

  • The day will close with a theoretical session to analyze the field information and reflect on the day’s learning.
  • Talk about the physical and biological forces that define mangrove dynamics (general and local panorama).

DINNER 

Cultural activity. 

Day 3 | 21 July

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABILITY, BLUE CARBON AND THE BLUE ECONOMY

Field visit to understand ecosystem services: ecotourism and mangrove by-products (fisheries and blue carbon). Application of field technologies and sampling techniques of carbon reservoirs (contrast of measurements). The ecosystem services of mangroves will be studied and understood, as well as the importance of their conservation and what the Ciénaga has meant for local communities.

 

Morning session:

  • Breakfast in the Hotel
  • Transfer to and tour of Buena Vista, and the local fish hatchery with the local fishers’ association.
  • Begin in Caño Clarín with a stop at the Ciénagas Pajarales (km 22)

SNACK

  • Visit to the “stilt towns” of Buena Vista and/or Nueva Venecia: Bird-watching activity with members of this community, as an ecotourism option in the region. Tour of the mangroves and the fish hatchery that is being developed.

 

Afternoon session:

  • Visit to the Nueva Venecia school, and local experience with environmental technology students and their teacher.

LUNCH

  • While returning to the hotel, a technical stop will be made to observe carbon capture techniques.

DINNER IN THE HOTEL

Day 4 | 22 July

BEYOND BLUE CARBON: DISCUSS, LEARN, PROPOSE

 

Morning session:

Breakfast in the Hotel

Transfer to the UTadeo (7:30 am) – Checkout from Hotel

 

  • 8:00 am to 10:00 am: Theoretical session to analyze the information collected and observed in the field. Talks about measuring carbon and ecosystem services
  • 10:00 am to 12:00 pm:  Talks about landscape ecology and anthropic factors.

 

Afternoon session:

LUNCH IN EL RODADERO

  • 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm: Explanation of economic valuation techniques and the social context for a blue economy, with emphasis on business models in which the community plays an important role.
  • 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm: Talk about policies.

 

Close:

Socialization of experiences, previous academic and/or business knowledge, and the construction of a text by the course participants regarding their external point of view on the study area of the course and its local problems.

 

RETURN TO CARTAGENA 

All transport during the course, including from Cartagena to Santa Marta, and back.

All breakfasts, lunches and dinners are of the highest quality and with local produce.

Talks and discussions (including in the field) with international and national course instructors.

Networking with national and international experts.

Boat excursions.

Experience with the Bongoducto community. Knowledge dialogues with indigenous and other local communities in the Ciénaga.

Souvenir kit.

5 star accommodation in Santa Marta.

Tours in the Ciénaga with local guides and national and international mangrove experts.

Visit to the ``Salamanca Island Park`` and mangrove forests, marshes and exceptional beaches.

Getting to know mangroves and their environment first hand.

Travel insurance.

Certificate of continuous education from the National University of Colombia and the University del Valle, for 32 hours of training.

Certificate CEMarin seal of quality.

Bilingual course.

All transport during the course, including from Cartagena to Santa Marta, and back.

5 star accommodation at the ESTELAR Santa Marta Hotel (Certified for sustainability).

All breakfasts, lunches and dinners are of the highest quality and with local produce.

Tours in the Ciénaga with local guides and national and international mangrove experts.

Talks and discussions (including in the field) with international and national course instructors.

Getting to know mangroves and their environment first hand.

Visit to the ``Salamanca Island Park`` and mangrove forests, marshes and exceptional beaches.

Networking with national and international experts.

Experience with the Bongoducto community. Knowledge dialogues with indigenous and other local communities in the Ciénaga.

Boat excursions.

Travel insurance.

Souvenir kit.

Bilingual course.

CERTIFIED COURSE

United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development certified course.

Certificate, CEMarin seal of quality.

Certificate of continuous education from the National University of Colombia and the University del Valle, for 32 hours of training.

Supported by the Colombian Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development.