Integrated, multi-institutional education is a central component of the LCZO. Because the LCZO involves a diversity of scientists and natural resource managers from a range of different institutions (i.e. Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Government Research Centers) both students and LCZO researchers are exposed to a range of cross-disciplinary approaches and techniques. To promote these synergistic relationships, LCZO students are linked with USGS and USFS scientists and colleagues from other Universities.  These researchers are active participants of their graduate committees and assist and mentor students throughout their projects.
The observatory also takes full advantage of existing out-reach programs sponsored by the USDA International Institute of Tropical Forestry IITF and the USGS-WEBB program, including the Luquillo HELP program (http:///www.luquillohelp.upr.edu/), University of Puerto Rico watershed programs, and the educational activities of the El Yunque National Forest. Because several of LCZO PI’s are also involved with CUASHI, LTER, NEON, and other USGS-WEBB watersheds, there are ample opportunities for outreach and collaborations with those groups. The LCZO also sponsors public cyberseminars where PI’s and graduate students can present their latest research via an internet conferencing service LCZO researchers also participate in the NSF sponsored El Verde REU site seminar series and the Luquillo LTER-School Yard program.
Cross-site collaborations and international exchange have been a traditional component of Luquillo geoscience. The LCZO builds on these informal efforts and formally invite students and researchers from other areas to collaborate with the site.  Recent international exchanges have involved students and researchers with the:
Laboratoire de Geochimie-Cosmochimie of Paris-Universites
Virje Universitat of Amsterdam
British Geological Survey Isotope lab
Centro de Ciencias de la Atmósfera, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, DF, Mexico
Instituto de Biología Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales Universidad de Antioquia Medellín, COLOMBIA

Future activities will involve workshops with local geotechnical groups, including geotechnical engineers, well drilling companies, and consulting and government hydrologists.  The focal topics of these workshops will involve the critical zone science and sediment pollution and water management.