noa_adventures

24/06/2024

Yasuní National Park in Ecuador is a protected nature area renowned for its invaluable environmental and cultural impact.

This spectacular area is right at the intersection of the Amazon Rainforest, the Andes mountains, and the equator: three regions rich in biodiversity. As such, it’s one of Earth’s essential biodiversity hotspots, hosting thousands of plant, bird, fish, amphibian, and mammal species. It’s a sanctuary for over 130 globally endangered and vulnerable species, including jaguars, spider monkeys, and giant otters.

The environmental importance of Yasuní goes hand-in-hand with its cultural significance. Several indigenous groups and communities, including the Waorani ethnic group and two uncontacted tribes, recognize the park as ancestral land. Yasuní’s many waterways continue to serve as a means of transport for the people living there to this day!

Yasuní National Park is one of the most unique natural sanctuaries on Earth. Join our 2025 Ecuador Summer program, Wildlife Conservation & The Galapagos Islands Biodiversity, for the chance to visit!

22/06/2024

21/06/2024

02/06/2024

With beautiful scenery, exciting experiences, and unique wildlife, the Mediterranean Sea is a popular destination by travelers and researchers alike! Here are some quick facts about it:

The Mediterranean Sea is the largest enclosed sea in the world! Its coastline extends to 25 European, Asian, and African countries and principalities – including Greece, Italy, Spain, and more. These countries are known as the “Mediterranean States”!

Due to its vast expanse, over 150 million people live along the Mediterranean coast, making it one of the most populated regions globally. It’s also the world’s leading tourist destination.

Many ancient civilizations – like Ancient Egypt, Greece, Persia, and Rome – formed around the Mediterranean. Historical sites with architectural and cultural remains of these civilizations can still be seen to this day!

The Mediterranean Sea is a biodiversity hotspot, with nearly 10% of all marine species found in its waters! More than 80 shark species and 8 cetacean species reside here, alongside animals like Loggerhead Sea Turtles and Monk Seals.

For the chance to visit the Mediterranean, join us in Spain, Monaco, and Italy this summer, from July 2nd to July 15th! Visit noaadventures.com to sign up!

01/06/2024

The Oceanographic Museum in Monaco is an incredible interactive space dedicated to all aspects of marine life. From Mediterranean aquariums to wildlife simulations, guests have the opportunity to immerse themselves in unique aquatic environments found all over the world! Many endangered species and ecosystems featured in these exhibits – such as sea turtles, coral reefs, and sharks – are part of conservation and rehabilitation efforts conducted by museum researchers.

The massive museum space serves as a hub for both scientists and artists alike. Their current exhibition, “The Ice Giants”, showcases ice sculptures of polar bears and penguins: endangered polar species threatened by climate change and habitat loss. This captivating blend of art and science inspires museum visitors to learn more about the pressing issues that affect wildlife – and further take action.

For the chance to visit the Oceanographic Museum, join us in Spain, Monaco, and Italy this summer, from July 2nd to July 15th! Visit noaadventures.com to sign up today!

23/05/2024

We live on a rich planet where species are discovered every year. Over 60% of our planet is covered by water more than a mile deep. The deep sea is the largest habitat on Earth and is largely unexplored. More people have traveled into space than have ventured into the deep ocean realm. – The Blue Planet: Seas of Life
Over 60% of our planet is covered by water more than a mile deep. The deep sea is the largest habitat on Earth and is largely unexplored. More people have traveled into space than have ventured into the deep ocean realm. – The Blue Planet: Seas of Life, Sir David Attenborough

We need to restore—or “rewild”—biodiversity on the planet. When ecosystems are more diverse, they are better able to perform essential ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration.

22/05/2024

As today is the International Day for Biological Diversity, we wanted to highlight one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots: Costa Rica!

Though Costa Rica is a small country, comprising only 0.03% of the Earth’s surface, it accounts for around 4% of ALL known species! Over 500,000 distinct species inhabit its land and waters.

From tropical rainforests and mountains to coral reefs and mangroves, Costa Rica is home to many diverse ecosystems and microclimates that allow for a great variety of life to flourish. Many distinct and recognizable animals, such as Red-Eyed Tree Frogs, Scarlet Macaws, and Ocelots, are well-adapted to their unique environments. Costa Rica also serves as a nesting ground for vulnerable animals like Leatherback Sea Turtles and Frogfish.

All of the organisms in Costa Rica are connected in a complex and vital web of life – which makes their protection all the more crucial. Over 25% of Costa Rica’s territory is protected in order to conserve its unique and fragile ecosystems. These protected areas are often maintained by local communities and organizations, and are wonderful avenues of education and human connection to the natural world.

Want to learn more about some of these protected organisms, and the importance of worldwide biodiversity? Visit academynoa.com to learn more about our Zoology program!

12/05/2024

NOA believes in learning by doing. Our programs are immersive and encourage youth to take several leadership roles. We interact with other youth, new cultures and the environment. We form intimate small groups of less than 15 participants and a 5:1 student to teacher ratio for personalized experiences, fostering close-knit communities and allowing for individual attention and engagement.

NOA offers activities to gain self confidence as well as interpersonal and group skills, exploring your inner world and expanding your worldview.

Join us today! Visit noaadventures.com for more information on our immersive worldwide summer programs.

04/05/2024

French Polynesia is a biodiversity hotspot comprised of 118 islands scattered across five archipelagos. Over the 5 million square kilometers that make up this region, 15,050 kilometers are inhabited by coral reef ecosystems unique from the rest of the world!

Join us in French Polynesia from August 3rd-16th! Visit noaadventures.com to learn more.

02/05/2024

Come learn about the beauty, biodiversity, and unique nature of the tide pools along the Loat Coast! Join us tomorrow at McNutt Gulch at 1pm for an amazing opportunity to learn about the tide pools from marine biologists and educators 🐋🐚🦀 All are welcome!

01/05/2024

Greetings, I’m Boyu Kuang (Riley), a creative spirit with a passion for blending aesthetics with user experience, born and raisd in a costal city. As a Web Designer & UI/UX Designer set to graduate with a BFA in Animation from California College of the Arts, I bring a unique
perspective to the digital landscape.
My journey to NOA was a calling born out of my profound connection with the environment.Choosing to embark on a voyage with NOA was not merely a career move – it was a commitment to the principles I hold dear. At NOA, I am not just designing websites; I am
crafting gateways to global change. Through my creativity, I am seeking to inspire, educate, and kindle a collective responsibility toward our marine cohabitants. Standing at the confluence where artistry meets advocacy, I am ready to navigate the digital currents and champion the cause of marine conservation.
In my free time, I can be found exploring coastal trails, sketching seascapes, or napping in the polar snow. My mission is to create engaging, intuitive web experiences that not only draw users into the wonders of the aquatic world but also advocate for its preservation. I also have collection of marine animal toys, with a beloved dolphin plushie that has seen him through the ebb and flow of my life.
When the screens dim, I am still an explorer at my heart. Whether sketching the undulating shores or charting my next sustainable journey, I finds my muse in the whispers of the ocean breeze and the tales of the tides.

27/04/2024

The deep-seated ethical considerations and moral dilemmas inherent in keeping orcas confined stem from the fundamental conflict between human interests and the welfare of these highly intelligent and socially complex marine mammals. 

Orcas, known for their intricate social structures and vast oceanic habitats, face immense physical and psychological challenges when confined to small tanks in captivity. This confinement can lead to stress, depression, aggression, and abnormal behaviors, impacting their mental and emotional well-being. Furthermore, the practice of capturing orcas from the wild or breeding them in captivity raises concerns about conservation, sustainability, and the disruption of natural ecosystems. Breaking the pods and the tight familiar bonds that orcas have. 

How do you believe society should address the ethical considerations surrounding the confinement of orcas for human entertainment and profit? Do you think it is ethical?

22/04/2024

Are you curious to learn why sharks are important? Which species are endangered? What is being done to protect them? Our Wildlife Conservation Summer program will answer all your questions and more.

This program is designed to empower you with the necessary tools to safeguard wildlife and preserve our natural resources for generations to come while delving into the core principles of terrestrial conservation.

You will learn from experts on the field to assess protected areas, employ wildlife population monitoring techniques like camera trapping and wildlife censuses.

17/04/2024

Have you ever wondered which animals live the longest? Do you know why there are animals found only in one part of our planet? What are some adaptations that animals have to live in an island in the middle of the ocean? Join us for our Ecuador Wildlife Conservation Summer Program where we will go from the Andes, to the Amazon and all the way to the Galapagos islands!
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15/04/2024

Hello! My name is Tiana and I have just been accepted to study for my Bachelor’s in zoology at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, UK. NOA has had a huge impact on this degree choice as well as my success in being accepted to this university. In the past few years, I have gone on two trips with NOA and each provided me with a life-changing experience. I learned about different career fields in the biological sciences, the ecology of several ecosystems, and many other subjects. The first trip I went on with NOA was to Ecuador. I volunteered at YanaCocha Wildlife Park, Hacienda Tranquila Sustainable Center, and many more organizations. I also explored the Amazon Rainforest and the Galapagos Islands. These adventures provided me with hands-on experience that wowed the admission team at Anglia Ruskin and helped steer me toward the career path I am on now.
The second trip I went on with NOA was to Spain. I volunteered with Tursiops Marine Research and learned about Spain’s natural habitats, ecology, and much more. This experience caused me to fall in love with the ocean and helped me realize my dreams of studying and working in zoology. The academic and career connections I made on this trip as well as the knowledge I gained, helped me succeed in the application process and will help me throughout my academic career. I am super excited to begin university in the fall and I cannot wait to use my degree to help the natural habitats and animals that I learned about while traveling with NOA.

14/04/2024

Our programs help participants clarify their own values and life vision. Nature and Oceans Adventures fosters self-confidence, interpersonal skills, and personal development through leadership, cross-cultural exchange, and scientific field experiences. Participants expand their worldview, problem-solving abilities, and sensory connections with nature, enhancing their holistic growth and contributing to conservation efforts. Here are some skills and learning goals that participants reported gaining after their NOA programs.

13/04/2024

What is a whale? Normally, we use the term
“whale” to refer to the Mysticeti (cetaceans with baleen)
that are large in size. Other people use the term
“whale” to name the Odontoceti (cetaceans with teeth) that are also large in size. Want to learn more about whales? Join our on-demand Marine Biology online program! Online marine biology course for high schoolers, college students, working professionals, and ocean enthusiasts!

11/04/2024

Do you know how climate change impacts corals? What is currently happening in our coral reef ecosystems?
The varied effects of climate change are changing the ocean; these changes dramatically affect coral reef ecosystems.
Explore the answers in this post and join us for our NOA summer program in French Polynesia - Marine Conservation and Cultural Immersion from August 3-16.