WildSumaco Biological Station

WildSumaco Biological Station (WBS) is a collaborative effort of Francis Marion University, the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and WildSumaco Wildlife Sanctuary and Lodge. The Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador is an affiliated academic partner. The station offers dorm-style lodging for up to 18 students and faculty, and shared communal space for dining, teaching and research. Located in lower montane rainforest on the east Andes Slope, WBS offers a prime research and learning site for Neotropical studies.

• Logo:
• UN Geographic Region: Latin America
• Street: N/A
• City: Communidad Pacto Sumaco
• Zip Code: N/A
• Country: Ecuador
• State/Province: napo
• Latitude: 0
• Longitude: 77
• FSML E-mail Address: tknowles@fmarion.edu
• FSML Year Founded: 2012
• Year Join OBFS: 2016
• University affiliation(s)?: Yes
• Names of Universities affiliated / Parent Organization: Francis Marion University
• Address Line 1: 4822 East Palmetto Street
• City: Florence
• Zip Code: 29506
• Country: United States
• State: SC
• Contact Name: Travis Knowles
• Contact Email: tknowles@fmarion.edu
• Contact Position: Director
• Contact Address: P. O. Box 100547
• Contact Phone Number: +18436611408
• Station Director Name: Travis Knowles
• Station Director Email: tknowles@fmarion.edu
• Billing Contact Name: Vernon Bauer
• Billing Contact Email: vbauer@fmarion.edu
• Voting Delegate Email: tknowles@fmarion.edu
• Additional Contact: Brian Arbogast
• Additional Contact Email: arbogastb@uncw.edu
• Additional Contact Position: Assistant Director
• Operating Budget: $0 - $50,000
• Size of Field Station: 1-100
• Federal, state, or local governmental partners?: No
• International partner/s?: Yes
• Name of International partner/s: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
• Onsite staff?: Yes
• Year Round Staff: 3-5
• Seasonal Staff: 0
• Overnight housing facilities: 11-20
• Conference space: 0
• Food service or catering available?: Yes
• Electricity: On Grid
• Distance to emergency services?: 41-60 minutes
• Internet Access?: Yes
• Classes: Graduate
• Hiking trails?: Yes
• Biome Type: Terrestrial
• Terrestrial Biomes: Tropical Rain Forest
• Minimum Elevation: 751-1500 meters
• Maximum Elevation: 1501-3000 meters
• Köppen climate classification: A (tropical)
• Freshwater habitats: Yes
• Urban/Rural: Rural
• Agricultural fields: Yes
• Dry lab space?: Yes
• Research and/or graduate student training: 25
• Formal education: 65
• Outreach: 10