The department has led several field studies to Costa Rica. Our groups have studied the management of tropical rainforests, wildlife, energy and agricultural resources. Sites of study have included the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Guanacaste National Park on the Pacific coast, and Limon and other sites along the Atlantic coast. Other areas of interest have included the Arenal hydroelectric facility, plantations and small farms, and Poas and Arenal volcanoes.

Other topics addressed were:

• tropical cloud forest conservation
• coastal zone conservation
• development of ecological and historical tourism resources
• timber, livestock, and plantation fruit management
• international tropical timber certification.