Maderas Rainforest Conservancy

The Maderas Rainforest Conservancy was established to protect the forests around the Maderas volcano on Ometepe Island in Lake Nicaragua. These forests provide an extremely unique ecosystem - home to such primates as white-faced capuchin monkeys and black mantled howler monkeys. Unfortunately, the forests have been fragmented by agricultural encroachment. This fragmentation has caused these primate populations to lose vital corridors to resources. There is also a problem with capuchin monkeys being captured in this area and sold to the pet trade. All of this has become a great threat to the primate population around this forest. Without protection, the primate number will continue to decrease. For information on how you can help, please send an inquiry to info@elgincenter.org with “Maderas Rain Forest Conservancy” in the subject line.

Field School at the Maderas Rainforest:

If you are interested in the field school at the Maderas Rainforest, please send an inquiry to info@elgincenter.org with the subject line “Nicaragua Field School”. Please include your research interests, your background, and a phone number where you can be reached.

Students have the oppurtunity to study abroad in Nicaragua in these forests. The course focuses on primate behavior and ecology.