Las Nubes Project

This October, experience "De las Nubes a Aquí / From the Clouds to Here," an exhibition showcasing student-created artwork inspired by York University's Las Nubes EcoCampus in Costa Rica. The exhibition highlights the creative outcomes of the PANF 3030/5030 Global Eco-Arts Residency Course, which brought 23 York University students to Costa Rica in May 2026 for an immersive learning experience.

During this 10-day intensive residency, students participated in workshops, gallery visits, creative projects, community engagement activities, and a local festival in and around Las Nubes. Through these experiences, they explored themes of environmental and community-based art, food sovereignty, place-based artistic practice, and the ethics of community engagement.

Co-presented by Sensorium and the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design at York University, this exhibition offers a unique opportunity to see how experiential learning, artistic inquiry, and international collaboration can inspire meaningful creative expression.

Exhibition: October 5–16, 2026
Opening Reception: October 8, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Location: Gales Gallery, Accolade West Building, York University Keele Campus

We look forward to celebrating the creativity of our students and the lasting impact of the Las Nubes experience.

York University
York U AMPD
York University Go Global

Costa Rica is calling!

Looking for a study abroad experience that goes beyond the classroom? Join York University's Winter Reading Week Study Abroad Program at the Las Nubes EcoCampus in Costa Rica and explore one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.

Gain hands-on experience through:
• Academic learning
• Field-based activities
• Cultural immersion
• Environmental exploration

Join our information session: 📅 September 22, 2026 ⏰ 11:00 AM

Open to 3rd and 4th year undergraduate students and graduate students. Bursaries are available.

Register today: https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/M5ZLGeelRFyJq37YeB2WGA

Learn more: https://www.yorku.ca/go/costarica

Application deadline: December 1, 2026

York University
Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change
York University Go Global
York University Students

Ordinary Session of the Local Committee of the Alexander Skutch Biological Corridor

On Thursday, September 17, the Ordinary Session of the Local Committee of the Alexander Skutch Biological Corridor was held at Las Nubes EcoCampus, providing an opportunity for coordination and dialogue among the different stakeholders involved in the corridor.

The session brought together representatives from:

Brigada Alexander Skutch
Los Cusingos
Santa Elena School Administration

Universidad Castro Carazo – Pérez Zeledón Campus
York University
ASADA DISTRITO CAJÓN PZ
National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC)
Active members of the Local Committee
Community representatives

These spaces provide an opportunity to exchange knowledge, share perspectives, coordinate efforts, and identify opportunities for collaboration related to biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and sustainable development throughout the territory.

The participation of institutions, organizations, and community representatives strengthens collaborative efforts and contributes to advancing initiatives that benefit the Corredor Biológico Alexander Skutch and the communities within it.

We thank all participating individuals and organizations for their presence and for continuing to contribute to these spaces for dialogue and collaboration.

Together, we continue to promote collaborative efforts for conservation and sustainability throughout the territory.

Dreaming of studying abroad in Costa Rica?

Join us on September 22, 2026, at 11:00 AM for an information session about York University’s Winter Reading Week Study Abroad Program at the Las Nubes EcoCampus in Costa Rica.

This immersive experience combines:
✅ Academic learning
✅ Hands-on fieldwork
✅ Cultural engagement
✅ Exploration in one of the world's most biodiverse regions

Open to 3rd and 4th year undergraduate students and graduate students. Bursaries are available to help support participation.

🗓️ Application deadline: December 1, 2026

🔗 Register for the info session: https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/M5ZLGeelRFyJq37YeB2WGA

Learn more: YorkU.ca/Go/CostaRica

York University
Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change
York University Go Global

Join us on September 22, 2026, at 11:00 AM for an information session about York University's Winter Reading Week Study Abroad Program at the Las Nubes EcoCampus in Costa Rica.

This unique experience combines academic learning, hands-on fieldwork, cultural engagement, and exploration in one of the world's most biodiverse regions.

The program is open to third- and fourth-year undergraduate students as well as graduate students, and bursaries are available to support participation.

The registration deadline is December 1, 2026.

To attend the information session, please register here: https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/M5ZLGeelRFyJq37YeB2WGA.

For additional details about the program, visit YorkU.ca/Go/CostaRica

York University
Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change
York University Go Global

Joining efforts for our community

As part of the three-day cleanup campaign in Cajón District and Corredor Biológico Alexander Skutch, community members, organizations, and institutions came together to care for the environment and our shared territory.

It was a meaningful opportunity to work together, strengthen community connections, and contribute to a cleaner and healthier community.

When we come together, every effort counts.

Photos: María José Bonilla & Alixa González

Community Health, Connection, and Care in Rural Costa Rica
As part of the course Social Determinants of Global Health: Exploring Health and Aging in Costa Rica, led by Professor Brad Meisner, we had the opportunity to visit a local Casa de Salud in Santa Elena.
We were warmly welcomed by Seidy Barboza and Vanesa Hidalgo, volunteers and members of the community health committee, who shared their experiences and the meaningful role they play in supporting their community.
The Casa de Salud is an important point of access to healthcare for people of all ages, bringing essential services closer to residents of this rural community and connecting them with Costa Rica’s public healthcare system.
For our students, the visit offered a meaningful opportunity to see how health is shaped not only by medical care, but also by community, social connection, accessibility, and the people who dedicate their time to caring for others.
Hearing Seidy and Vanesa speak about their experiences reminded us that community health is also built through commitment, solidarity, and a genuine desire to help others. We are deeply grateful to Seidy and Vanesa for welcoming us, sharing their stories, and giving our students a closer look at the importance of community-based healthcare in rural Costa Rica.

Aging, Health & Intergenerational Learning in Costa Rica
As part of the course Social Determinants of Global Health: Exploring Health and Aging in Costa Rica, led by Professor Brad Meisner, students participated in a meaningful intergenerational experience with national and international retirees, creating a space for dialogue, connection, and shared learning.
Through conversations and shared experiences, students had the opportunity to learn directly from older adults while also sharing their own perspectives and experiences. This exchange opened meaningful conversations about health, well-being, community, relationships, lifestyle, culture, and the experience of aging in Costa Rica.
The activity offered students a valuable opportunity to explore the social determinants of healthy aging from a perspective that goes beyond academic theory. Listening to the lived experiences of older adults highlighted how social connections, a sense of belonging, purpose, and the environments in which we live can shape health and quality of life throughout the life course.
The experience also extended into the natural environment through a native tree-planting activity, bringing together people from different generations in a shared commitment to caring for the ecosystems around us. The activity served as a reminder that environmental health and human health are deeply interconnected, and that creating healthy communities also means caring for the places we call home.
Bringing together students, national and international retirees, and the natural environment created an enriching opportunity for learning across generations, sharing knowledge, and building connections.
For the students, it was a reminder that understanding aging goes beyond medical or academic knowledge. It means listening to lived experiences, learning from different generations, and recognizing the social, cultural, and environmental factors that contribute to a healthy and meaningful life.
Ultimately, healthy aging is not simply about living longer—it is about creating the conditions that allow people to live healthier, more connected, purposeful, and meaningful lives across generations.