Mission Statement:

The Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation (ITEC) is a non-profit 501c3), education, research and conservation corporation, and operates the Bocas del Toro Biological Station in Panama. Our mission is to:
1) offer quality field ecology courses to undergraduates and graduate students,
2) provide facilities for long-term biological research in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems,
3) operate programs for the conservation of sea turtles, rain forests and other natural resources along the Caribbean coast of Panama,
4) aid the local community by establishing educational programs and workshops on resource conservation, reforestation, pollution control and by providing alternative employment opportunities having minimal environmental impact.
ITEC does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex or religion with regard to staff employment, acceptance of students, research assistants or volunteers, or in any aspect of its operation.