Academic tour to Sarigua National Park: a field learning experience for future environmental managers

An enriching academic tour took students from the Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Management Administration at UMECIT to the unique Sarigua National Park, located in Parita Bay, Herrera Province. Under the guidance of Professor Elvis Yoel Franceschi López, the visit focused on the study of... in situ of this arid coastal ecosystem, known as an “albino” —the result of a natural salinization process— and not a desert, as it is commonly called.

During the day, the future environmental managers observed firsthand the challenges and conservation strategies implemented in this vital space, also considered one of the oldest sites of human occupation in Panama.

The practical experience allowed students to connect theoretical knowledge about soils, specialized flora (mangroves and cacti), and fauna (migratory birds) with the complex reality of managing such a unique protected area. They also analyzed how the intrinsic characteristics of the "albino" area require management approaches different from those of a traditional desert, with strategies aimed at mitigating salinity and protecting both its fragile ecosystem and its archaeological value.

The tour consolidated the understanding of the interdisciplinarity necessary for effective environmental management, strengthening students' skills to address conservation problems in extreme environments of great historical and ecological value.