Since 2001, Geoversity has been creating conservation communities dedicated to ecological and biocultural regeneration. These natural places rich in diversity and tough challenges serve as campuses for our biocultural experiential learning, design and science programs.

Rainforest Watershed Campus

The Mamoní Valley (Panama)

The Mamoní Valley is located within the largest remaining stretch of contiguous rainforest in the exceptionally biodiverse Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena eco-region: one of the top 25 Biodiversity Hotspots in the world and adjacent to the indigenous Gunayala territory, Emberá communities and the national protected areas Narganá and the Chagres National Park.

Incredibly, it is a mere 2-hour drive from the Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, in the narrowest stretch of the Americas.

Facilities

Our science and biocultural learning center, Centro Mamoní form part of Geoversity’s off-grid rainforest campus in the Mamoní Valley. Here, students, volunteers, interns, indigenous leaders and scientists join our team to achieve our campus’ goal of becoming 100% self-sufficient with food, building materials, energy and water use, while sharing experiential learning experiences with guests from all over the world. Facilities are connected to broadband WiFi, can host up to 55 people at a time, and are sustainably powered 24/7 by a unique hydro-electric system and solar panels. The buildings and hand-crafted furnishings are built with locally sourced bamboo and salvaged hardwoods, all drawing on courses and hands-on experience gained from Geoversity Design.

Communities

The Upper Mamoní Valley is a sparsely populated mountainous region with close proximity to Panama City. There are four communities: San José de Madroño, El Valle, La Zahina, and Mamoní Arriba (listed east to west). Total population of the valley is estimated below 500 people, enough to support four small rural schools and one understaffed health center, all of which are located along the Mamoní River and its major tributary, the San José. Smaller ranching outposts are interspersed throughout the Valley—mostly along the main dirt road that runs along the river and connects the four villages.

Deemed a “magical destination” by National Geographic Travel, the Mamoní Valley is home to unique pairings of ecological restoration, rural development, scientific research, and life-changing learning adventures for indigenous people, global youth, and business leaders.

Ocean Coastal Campus

Seahorse Point (Bastimentos Island, Bocas del Toro, Panama).

Thanks to the leadership and ongoing commitment of marine biologist and world authority on water treatment Dr. Howard Dryden, Ph.D. and his wife Diane Duncan, an economic development professional, we ended 2023 with the formal launch of the Geoversity Ocean Centre at Seahorse Point on Bastimentos Island, Bocas del Toro, Panama.

Overlooking a protected bay next to the 13,200-hectare Bastimentos Island National Marine Park and alongside the Bahia Honda Community of indigenous Ngäbe, the 4-hectare Seahorse Point facility, now undergoing major renovation and expansion, represents a great start on developing our first ocean-wetlands conservancy campus. With access to nine distinct ecosystems and the scientific, technical and organizational skills of Howard and Diane, we’re now drawing on our 23 years of experience in Panama in creating a diversity of programs advancing biocultural leadership and scientific and community development.

Desert Foothills Campus

The Borrego Institute of Living Design (Southern California, USA).

The Borrego Institute for Living Design (BILD) is only two hours east of San Diego, near the town of Borrego Springs, and borders the Anza Borrego Desert State Park—California’s largest park—, known for its stunning wildflower displays, otherworldly badlands, thrilling hawk migrations, and iconic bighorn sheep.

BILD, founded and directed by Tamsin Woolley-Barker, Ph.D., Dean of the Geoversity School for Biocultural Leadership, is a hands-on learning environment for Living Design. More than just habitat conservation, cultural preservation, and sustainable business, Living Design means renewing our role in the living systems we are part of and depend on.

Starting with a few historic ranch and utility buildings, the facilities on this remarkable desert ecotone are being expanded to include quality camp housing and meeting space.

This 86-acre gateway into desert wilderness is dotted with the morteros, hearths, and hand tools of the Kumeyaay, Cupa, and Cahuilla people who continue to call this region home for some 12,000 years.

Geoversity Camps

• Geoversity´s Pacific Wetlands Field Station and Conservancy, Bayano River wetlands near Chepo, Panama.
• Geoversity´s Urban Forest and Wetlands Regeneration Campus on the Cárdenas River near the City of Knowledge and the Camino de Cruces National Park, Clayton, Panama.
• Geoversity’s Atlantic Marine Field Station, The island of Sao Jorge, the Azores, Portugal.