UniversitÁrea Protegida's works by creating opportunities for Nicaragua's future environmental leaders to directly take part in the fight to protect their own country's natural resources. The idea is that, if supported in various ways to participate in this way, the students will become permanent fixtures in the conservation movement in their country. The programme strategy involves matching the needs of university students with those of local NGOs and rural communities so that all 3 benefit in various ways.

Specifically, UÁP works in partnership with Nicaraguan university students and (underfinanced/understaffed) local NGOs that are managing natural reserves. Through this collaboration, students conduct scientific research and provide support to the NGOs, while completing their degrees through thesis work. In its first year, the programme will place 18 students in 6 of Nicaragua's natural reserves. Research topics have been formed with local NGOs managing the areas, and students are being selected based on their academic record, economic need, and desire to work in environmental conservation. The programme consists of 3 phases:

In addition to bringing together local NGOs and students, this programme works to meet the needs of poor people in rural communities within natural reserves. Based on organisers' observation that these people increasingly rely on natural resource extraction as a means of survival, UÁP students work with park rangers and local teachers to increase environmental awareness in schools and youth groups. They are given reading materials to share with these communities that outline themes such as environmental activism, social justice, and gender equality. Part of the idea here is to give UÁP students the tools and opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of education to rural youth who have few educated leaders. To this end, UÁP works with the students throughout the time they spend in these rural communities to help them form strong relationships with youth groups and to serve as positive role models. As a result of such connections, participatory activities are undertaken, including garbage management, school gardens, arts and crafts projects, bird watching excursions, and tree nurseries. Students also work with local subsistence farmers to advocate organic farming methods.

Environment, Agriculture, Education, Youth.

UniversitÁrea Protegida was founded by two former Peace Corps Volunteers and a Nicaraguan ecologist who worked together in the natural reserve "Estero Padre Ramos". In August 2003, UÁP became project of Earth Island Institute (EII), a non-profit organisation based in the United States.

UÁP offers this context: Nicaragua has a volatile political, economic, and ecologic background. Like many countries of the third world, Nicaragua is rich in natural resources, but is losing the battle to protect them due to economic pressures that leave local populations with no choice but to exploit what they have. UÁP explains that there are 76 designated protected areas in the country encompassing 18% of the land, but say that very few areas are regulated or managed at any level.

Organisers say that many international groups are involved in the development of protected area management in Central America; they place foreigners in rural communities to take part in education, natural resource management, conservation, sustainable agriculture, small business development, and ecotourism promotion. However, UÁP says that these benefits often fade with time after these humanitarian workers return to their home countries.