New Field Program for Undergraduates: Thailand Elephant Conservation (Fall 2026)

[Tyler Nuckols]

https://www.wildlandsstudies.com/thailand-elephant

Please help me share this opportunity with undergraduates in your programs. I am the lead instructor for Wildlands Studies' Thailand Elephant Program, a 6-week field course examining human-elephant coexistence, Asian elephant ecology, and conservation in working landscapes.

Program details:
Dates: 30 September to 12 November 2026
Credits: 15 quarter / 10 semester
Courses: Environmental Field Survey; Wildlands Environment and Culture; Environmental Wildlands Studies
Field sites: Khao Yai National Park, Chiang Mai, Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary, Doi Inthanon, Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, and many more!
Prerequisites: one college-level course in environmental studies, ecology, or similar; 18+
Applications: rolling admission; program fees due 1 August 2026

Students conduct wildlife observation and habitat assessment, work alongside mahouts at an ethical sanctuary, and engage with farming communities navigating crop damage and coexistence strategies. The program is a genuinely interdisciplinary course taught through a social-ecological systems approach. Course content spans ecology, biology, conservation science, climate science, and environmental justice (among many others). All backgrounds and experience levels are welcome.

Details and application: https://www.wildlandsstudies.com/thailand-elephant
Happy to answer questions about curriculum, fieldwork, or student fit. Thank you!

Tyler Nuckols
PhD Candidate, Environmental Studies, University of Colorado Boulder
Lead Instructor, Wildlands Studies Thailand Elephant Program