1. pets
2. reptiles

EARTHWATCH 2015
TRACKING COSTA RICA’S MAMMALS
Nicole Morrill Page 1 6/19/15Nicole Morrill Page 1 6/19/15
MESSAGES FROM EARTHWATCH
DEAR EARTHWATCHER,
Welcome to the Tracking Costa Rica’s Mammals expedition. You will be joining a scientific team that is working to understand
how conservation laws created by the Costa Rican government are protecting mammals in biological corridors. You will be
collecting mammal and vegetation data within the beautiful cloud forest region in the central mountains of the country. The
data you are collecting for this project is essential to the study of these conservation laws. Because of your dedication and
commitment, our team can work towards conservation goals in the biodiverse tropics.
We will be living in the community of San Isidro de Penas Blancas, in an active Texas A&M University research station with other
researchers and students. The field station is located directly adjacent to one of the largest private protected areas in the
country, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Hiking trails into the reserve start directly at the station. The small community
of San Isidro is located down the hill from the station, and has a small high school with a soccer field 15 minutes down the road.
The EcoLodge Finca Luna Nueva is also a short walk from the station with excellent bird watching opportunities.
We look forward to meeting you, and we cannot wait to share our research and our love for this beautiful tropical country.
Great ready to explore the lush jungle forests and meet some wonderful people!
Margot Wood, Thomas Lacher, Eugenio Gonzalez, Soltis Center researchers & staff
DEAR EARTHWATCHER,
Thank you for joining this expedition! We greatly appreciate your decision to contribute to hands-on environmental science
and conservation.
As an Earthwatch volunteer, you have the opportunity to create positive change. And while you’re out in the field working
toward that change, we are committed to caring for your safety. Although risk is an inherent part of the environments in
which we work, we’ve been providing volunteer field experiences with careful risk management and diligent planning for
over 40 years. You’re in good hands.
We hope this expedition will inspire you to get more involved in conservation and sustainable development priorities—not just
out in the field, but also when you return home. We encourage you to share your experiences with others, and to transfer your
skills and enthusiasm to environmental conservation efforts in your workplace, community, and home.
If you have questions as you prepare for your expedition, contact your Earthwatch office. Thank you for your support,
and enjoy your expedition!
Sincerely,
Larry Mason
President and CEO, Earthwatch
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION ................. 4
TRIP PLANNER ............................ 5
EXPEDITION PACKING LIST .............. 6
THE RESEARCH ........................... 7
DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD ................ 9
ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD ......... 10
TRAVEL TIPS .............................. 11
PROJECT CONDITIONS ................... 12
SAFETY .................................... 14
PROJECT STAFF .......................... 15
RECOMMENDED READING ............... 16
LITERATURE CITED....................... 17
EMERGENCY NUMBERS .................. 18
3
GENERAL INFORMATION
TRACKING COSTA RICA’S MAMMALS
EARTHWATCH SCIENTISTS
EXPEDITION DATES
Margot Wood
Team 2: Jun. 21–Jun. 30, 2015
Jessica Gilbert
Team 3: Jul. 5–Jul. 14, 2015
Dr. Thomas Lacher
RESEARCH SITE
Please refrain from booking flights until
you receive your complete rendezvous
information, which will be sent to you
upon request
San Isidro de Peñas Blancas region,
Alajuela province, Costa Rica
.
4
TRIP PLANNER
TRACKING COSTA RICA’S MAMMALS
TRIP PLANNER
IMMEDIATELY
60 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION
□ Make sure you understand and agree to
Earthwatch’s Terms and Conditions.
□ If you plan to purchase additional travel insurance,
note that some policies require purchase when your
expedition is booked.
□ Make sure you have all the necessary vaccinations
for your project site.
□ Review the Packing Checklist to make sure you
have all the clothing, personal supplies and
equipment needed.
90 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION
30 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION
□ Log in at earthwatch.org to complete your
volunteer forms.
□ Pay any outstanding balance for your expedition.
□ Book travel arrangements (see the Travel Planning
section for details).
□ If traveling internationally, make sure your
passport is current and, if necessary, obtain a visa
for your destination country.
□ Leave the Earthwatch 24-hour helpline number
with a relative or friend.
□ Leave copies of your passport, visa, and airline
tickets with a relative or friend.
Read this expedition briefing thoroughly. It provides the most accurate information
available at the time of your Earthwatch scientist’s project planning, and will likely answer
any questions you have about the project. However, please also keep in mind that research
requires improvisation, and you may need to be flexible. Research plans evolve in response
to new findings, as well as to unpredictable factors such as weather, equipment failure,
and travel challenges. To enjoy your expedition to the fullest, remember to expect the
unexpected, be tolerant of repetitive tasks, and try to find humor in difficult situations.
If there are any major changes in the research plan or field logistics, Earthwatch will
make every effort to keep you well informed before you go into the field.
5
EXPEDITION PACKING LIST
TRACKING COSTA RICA’S MAMMALS
EXPEDITION PACKING LIST
GENERAL
FIELD SUPPLIES
□ This expedition briefing
□ Photocopies of your passport, flight itinerary, and credit
cards in case the originals are lost or stolen; the copies
hould be packed separately from the original documents
□ Medium-sized daypack
□ Two one-liter refillable water bottles
□ High-SPF sunscreen
□ Insect repellent spray, recommend Natrapel with active
ingredient Picaridin
□ Passport and/or visa (if necessary)
□ Certification of vaccination (if necessary)
□ Headlamp with extra batteries
□ Drybag or plastic sealable bags (good for protecting equipment
like cameras from dust, humidity, and water)
□ Documentation for travel by minors (if necessary)
CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR FOR FIELDWORK
□ Water proof cover for day pack or larger plastic garbage bag
NOTE: Bring clothes you don’t mind getting very dirty and
potentially ruining.
BEDDING AND BATHING
□ Earthwatch T-shirt
NOTE: Sheets, blankets, pillows, and towels are provided
by the accommodations.
□ 2-3 lightweight, quick-drying, button-down long-sleeved shirts
□ 2-3 pairs of quick-drying long pants
PERSONAL SUPPLIES
□ Wide-brimmed sun hat or baseball hat
□ Hiking boots with ankle support, already broken in,
OR rubber boots (rubber boots are really great for this
environment – this is what the researchers wear in the field)
□ Personal toiletries (NOTE: only biodegradable soaps
and shampoos are allowed at the Soltis Research and
Education Center)
□ Hand wipes or sanitizing lotion (good for cleaning hands
while in the field)
□ Personal first-aid kit (e.g., anti-diarrhea pills, antibiotics,
antiseptic, itch-relief, pain reliever, bandages, blister covers,
etc.) and personal medications. Non-drowsy motion sickness
medication is recommended for those who are susceptible,
due to the long drives on winding mountain roads.
□ Light weight raincoat or poncho
□ Thick hiking socks
□ Bandana
□ Leather or cloth and rubber garden/work gloves
CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR FOR LEISURE
□ At least one set of clothing to keep clean for end
of expedition
□ Sandals (preferably ones that can get wet, as it is
the rainy season)
MISCELLANEOUS
□ Spending money (approximately US$200)
OPTIONAL ITEMS
□ Jeans
□ Camera, film or memory card(s), extra camera battery
□ Shorts
□ Laptop
□ Hardware for sharing digital photographs at the end
of the expedition
□ T-shirts/tank tops
□ Bathing suit
□ Sweatshirt / light jacket
□ Travel guide
□ Tennis shoes / casual shoes
□ Books, games, journal, art supplies, etc. for free time
□ Binoculars
NOTE: Do not bring more luggage than you can carry and handle
on your own. If traveling by air and checking your luggage, we
advise you to pack an extra set of field clothing and personal
essentials in your carry-on bag in case your luggage is lost
or delayed.
6
THE RESEARCH
TRACKING COSTA RICA’S MAMMALS
THE STORY
Costa Rica’s wildlife: they allow isolated animal populations
to mingle and move freely between the places where their
natural habitat remains healthy and relatively undisturbed.
The corridors in Costa Rica feed into a multi-national
network, linking North and South America.
In many places, developed land intertwines with
wilderness. Farmers clear trees to plant crops, or use
pesticides that can harm nearby forests. So any meaningful
effort to protect wild landscapes requires their help.
There are few better places in the world that have figured
out how to enlist the help of farmers in conservation like
Costa Rica. This beautiful, biodiverse country has lots of
forward-thinking environmental policies to curb
deforestation, protect wild plants and animals, preserve
access to clean water, and encourage carbon sequestration.
One such policy is the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES)
program. Through this program, the government encourages
farmers to maintain these swaths of land by paying them to
plant trees among their crops.
By interviewing farmers and monitoring camera traps and
hair traps, you’ll track ocelots, tapirs, foxes, and other
mammals in the Paso de Las Nubes Biological Corridor to
learn how many different species, and how many individuals
in each species, are using the corridors. If these numbers
show use of the landscape between national parks and
other protected areas, Costa Rica’s policies are working.
If they don’t, the data you collect will help researchers
recommend strategies for corridor improvement. This is
your chance to make a concrete impact on all who depend
on forests in Costa Rica—plants, animals, communities and
the global climate.
Farmers that live in designated biological corridors—
stretches of land that connect national parks and other
protected areas— get funding priority under PES. This is
because these biological corridors are very important to
7
RESEARCH AIMS
HOW YOU WILL HELP
This research will help all kinds of people—farmers,
landowners, government officials, NGOs, scientists—work
together toward one common goal: conservation. Your work
will help open a dialogue about national biodiversity and
people’s livelihoods, and how these two seemingly separate
issues coexist in the biological corridor. And at the end of
the day, Costa Rica’s mammals could benefit immensely.
This is a rare opportunity to help out the mammals that live
in Costa Rica’s wilderness, many of which are endangered.
At the same time, your work will have a concrete impact on
farmers and other local community members in Costa Rica.
Here’s what you’ll do to help:
MAMMAL SURVEYS. You’ll help scientists set hair and
camera traps throughout the corridor, on land being used in
different ways, to gauge the presence of mammals in each
area. You’ll hike through farmland and tropical forest
guided by GPS units to reach camera traps—tree-mounted
cameras with infrared sensors that animals trigger when
they pass by—you’ll download images and check that
they’re in working order. You’ll also check hair traps, which
attract animals by scent. The team will collect any hair
snagged in the traps and take it back to the lab for analysis.
To get this dialogue going with the best information
possible, these researchers are exploring three questions:
1. How have PES policies already influenced the way
land is used and conserved in Costa Rica? Researchers
will study the types and distribution of vegetation
throughout the corridor. They expect to find that, since
PES polices have taken effect, there’s more forested
land in the corridor than there once was.
Because many of the mammals you’re tracking are
nocturnal, or avoid humans, or are not very common in the
study area, traps are the best way to measure species
richness and the presence or absence of certain species.
Mammal surveys will compose half of the field day, as
checking the traps is quick, but location of traps with GPS
units and hiking to traps can take some time. Mammal
surveys will be conducted in small groups of 3-5 people.
2. How well is the Paso de Las Nubes Corridor working
for mammals? Researchers will track the presence or
absence of mammal species to determine where the
corridor is facilitating their movement, and where it’s
not. They’re looking at “sensitive” and “less-sensitive”
species: sensitive species are defined as “nearthreatened” or “endangered” by the International
Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and less
sensitive species are considered “least
concern.”NSensitive species include the Baird’s tapirs,
jaguars and white-lipped peccaries. Less sensitive
species include ocelots, collared peccaries and
coatimundis.
VEGETATION SURVEYS. Once trap data collection is
completed, you’ll turn to the vegetation. In marked-off
plots near the traps, you’ll measuring the height and
number of trees greater than 10 centimeters in diameter at
breast height. You’ll also collect canopy measurements at
different distances from the trap sites. This will provide
quantifiable measurements of vegetation in the various
trapping locations. This will comprise the other half of the
field day. We will work in groups of 3-12 people on the
vegetation measurements.
3. What should the future of PES look like? The findings
from the first two questions will help illuminate how
well PES policies have increased the forest cover and
made the corridor a hospitable place for forest
mammals. This knowledge can point the way to changes
that could make PES even more effective for mammals
and the farmers who own the land. For example,
researchers think that new forms of payments for
natural regeneration could work better than simply
increasing payments for the current land uses.
INTERVIEWS WITH LANDOWNERS. The team will visit
landowners and ask them how they use their land and other
basic information related to the research. Then you’ll use
pictures of mammals to ask them which species they see
signs of on their property, and how often. While most of the
interview will be conducted in Spanish, volunteers who
don’t speak Spanish can still participate in the mammal
segment, since it is guided by images. One to two
interviews will be conducted per team, and interviews will
be conducted in 2-3 person groups.
DATA ENTRY AND ANALYSIS. Back at the Soltis Center,
you’ll sort through camera trap images to see who’s afoot
in the forest. You’ll also help enter data and do microscopic
hair analysis on the samples collected from the hair traps.
This is individual work, and will comprise a few hours each
eveningMafter fieldwork.
8
DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD
PLANS AND POLICIES
On fieldwork days you may rise early for an optional guided
bird walk through the cloud forest or a little later for
breakfast at 7:00 a.m. Then your team will drive to the
Paso de Las Nubes Biological Corridor. The drive will be
between 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the part of
the corridor you are working in that day. The team will be
able to cover one whole property per field day. If an
interview has not yet been conducted with the landowner,
one will be done to understand how the property owner
uses the land and what wild creatures frequent it.
There will also be a day (or two, if there’s lots of data)
in each team dedicated to data analysis at the research
station.
THE SOLTIS RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
CENTER POLICY ON ALCOHOL AND SMOKING:
Alcohol abuse and use of illegal drugs is strictly forbidden
while at the research station. The director or manager on
duty has the discretion to stop alcohol use at any time.
No smoking is allowed on the property.
After the interviews, it’s into the wild. You will hike to the
lands registered in the conservation program. There, you
will place and check camera and hair traps. Then you will
start a vegetation grid and collect tree measurements. In
the mid to late afternoon the team will return to the field
station to analyze data or relax. Dinner at the field station
will be held at 6 p.m. After dinner you can enjoy lectures
from the research staff, watch a movie in the classroom,
or simply recline in the rocking chairs on the balcony with
a book. The day may end with an optional hike to look for
snakes, frogs and other nocturnal creatures in the forest.
ITINERARY
Weather and research needs can lead to changes in the daily
schedule. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding
TYPICAL DAILY SCHEDULE
Time of Day
5:30 a.m.
DAY 1:
Arrival, welcome, field station tour, project information lecture.
7:00 a.m.
8:15 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
DAYS 2–4:
Field Work.
DAY 5:
12:00 p.m.
12:30 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
4:00-6:00 p.m.
Data analysis at the field station.
DAY 6:
Recreation Day
DAYS 7–9:
5:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
Field Work.
DAY 10:
8:30 p.m.
Departure.
9
Activity
Optional guided bird walk available every
day, depending on the schedule of the
resident naturalist.
Breakfast
Travel by car to the biological corridor
Arrive at Property: Vegetation, Hair, Camera
Trap. Interview when possible.
Lunch break in the field
Continue data collection
Return to the Soltis Center
Free time for resting or hiking, or data
analysis/entry, assisting with small mammal
trapping
Nightly group meeting, main lobby
Dinner
Free time or optional lectures from visiting
researchers, or data analysis/entry
Optional guided night walk for snakes
and frogs (some nights)
ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD
ABOUT YOUR HOME IN THE FIELD
SLEEPING AND BATHROOMS
downhill on dirt road. If you feel like getting out for a walk
and having a great workout (coming back up the hill is
rather strenuous), you can walk one hour downhill on the
dirt road to the village center. In San Isidro de Penas
Blancas you can find a mini-panaderia, a very small grocery
store, a fruit stand and a hardware store. There are no
restaurants located in this village.
Teams will stay at the modern and comfortable Soltis
Research and Education Center, a Texas A&M University
field station. You couldn’t ask for a more beautiful spot:
the center sits in the middle of more than 120,000 acres
of protected forest.
The Soltis Center consists of a main lodge with cabins up the
hill from the lodge, each of which has four bunk beds, a
shower (with hot water), a conventional toilet, and two sinks.
Up to four volunteers of the same gender could end up sharing
a cabin. The center may be able to accommodate requests for
couples cabins, depending on availability.
FOOD AND WATER
The cooks at the Soltis Center provide three meals a day, at
6:30 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. Meals are served family style in
a screened-in cafeteria. Foods you might find in the field
(please be flexible):
ELECTRICITY
TYPICAL MEALS
There is electricity and wireless Internet throughout
the field center.
BREAKFAST
Juice, coffee, tea, gallo pinto (rice and beans),
maduros (fried sweet plantains), protein (sausage,
hotdogs, eggs, fried cheese), fresh fruit, natilla (a
sour-cream-like condiment), cereal, toast with jam
and peanut butter, pancakes, empanadas.
LUNCH &
DINNER
Juice, rice, protein (chicken, fish, beef, fried egg,
black beans, fried cheese, avocados), steamed
vegetables, salad, pasta, lasagna, dessert (e.g., ice
cream, cake).
SNACKS
Snacks are not regularly offered at the field station.
You can purchase ice cream bars for approximately
US$1. Occasionally, cookies or baked goods are
provided in the afternoon. Please bring granola bars
and other snacks of your choice.
BEVERAGES
Coffee and hot water for tea are available at all times.
Juice is available at meal times. There are no sodas or
alcoholic beverages at the research station.
WATER
All tap water is potable throughout the field station,
and is also potable in that region of the country. Water
used at the research station, and in San Isidro de Penas
Blancas, is collected from the streams in the protected
reserve behind the station. The water is routinely
tested and has been found to be some of the best and
cleanest water you can find. Personal water supplies
should be replenished each day at the research station
before heading into the field.
INTERNET AND COMMUNICATIONS
The Soltis Center has wireless Internet and cell phone
service throughout. There are approximately six shared
computers, to be used primarily for research. If there is
availability and the computers are not needed for research,
the computers can be used for personal activities. There
are phones at the Soltis Center, for emergency use only.
FACILITIES AND AMENITIES
Laundry is available every day of the week at the Soltis
Research Center for a fee of US$7. Learn more about the
Soltis Center at soltiscentercostarica.tamu.edu/.
DISTANCE TO THE FIELD SITE
The Paso de Las Nubes Biological Corridor starts 8 km (5 mi)
from the Soltis Research Center. The furthest boundary of the
corridor is approximately 55 km (34 mi) from the Soltis
Research Center. You will be working throughout the corridor,
visiting farms on dirt roads far into the mountains. Some
properties are only accessible by foot, and you will need to
hike 20 minutes to 1 hour to access these properties. You will
be traveling by car to access these remote properties daily for
30 minutes to 2-3 hours, depending on the road conditions and
area of the corridor you will be collecting data.
SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
Please alert Earthwatch to any special dietary requirements
(e.g., diabetes, lactose intolerance, nut or other food
allergies, vegetarian or vegan diets) as soon as possible, and
note them in the space provided on your volunteer forms.
SERVICES AND RESTAURANTS
IN WALKING DISTANCE
Vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, and gluten-free diets can
be easily accommodated on this expedition.
The center of San Isidro de Penas Blancas is located
approximately 5 km (3.1 mi) from the research station,
10
TRAVEL TIPS
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE ROAD
YOUR DESTINATION
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
LANGUAGE: Spanish. In San José and other cities, many
people speak some English. The project will be conducted
in English (interviews with landowners will be in Spanish)
Passport and visa requirements are subject to change.
Check with your travel advisor, embassy or consulate
in your home country for requirements specific to your
circumstances. Generally, passports must be valid for
at least six months from the date of entry and a return
ticket is required.
TIME ZONE: GMT/UTC -6.
TELEPHONE DIALING CODES: When calling Costa Rica from
another country, dial the home country’s international
dialing code, then 506 and the number. You’ll need to add
a 2 after the 506 for all Costa Rican landline numbers and
an 8 after the 506 for all Costa Rican cellphone numbers.
When calling within Costa Rica, omit the 506 and dial the
eight-digit number (i.e., including 2 or 8 for landline and
cellphone numbers respectively). When calling another
country from Costa Rica, dial 00, followed by the other
country’s code and the number. NOTE: Check with your
cellphone provider to obtain any carrier-specific dialing
codes you may need; many providers have dialing
procedures that may differ from these directions.
Citizenship
Passport Required?
Visa Required?
United States
Yes
No
United Kingdom
Yes
No
Europe
Yes
No
Australia
Yes
No
Japan
Yes
No
If a visa is required, participants should apply for a TOURIST
visa. Please note that obtaining a visa can take weeks or
even months. We strongly recommend using a visa agency,
which can both expedite and simplify the process.
MONEY MATTERS
CONTACT INFORMATION
LOCAL CURRENCY: Costa Rican Colónes (CRC). U.S. Dollars
are also often accepted. The approximate conversion rate is
500 colones to 1 U.S. Dollar.
You may be required to list the following contact
information on your visa application and immigration
form, or if your luggage does not make it to baggage
claim at your destination:
PERSONAL FUNDS: An amount of approximately US$200 can
be brought for spending money. Use your discretion as to
how much money you would like to bring for spending
within the country. You will have access to an ATM in La
Fortuna during activity days. An ATM will not be accessible
during research days or field station days. Credit cards are
accepted in most of the country.
The Soltis Center for Research and Education
in Costa Rica
Texas A&M University
San Isidro de Penas Blancas
Apdo 80-4417 Fortuna
San Carlos, Costa Rica.
DEPARTURE TAX: Be prepared to pay the departure tax of
US$29 in cash (U.S. Dollars or Costa Rican Colónes) or by
Visa credit card (processed as a cash advance) at the
airport upon checking in for your flight home.
11
PROJECT CONDITIONS
THE FIELD ENVIRONMENT
GENERAL CONDITIONS
ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Costa Rica is a tropical country with a wet and dry season.
The wet season occurs from May through November, and
the dry season from December through April. During the
wet season rain increases, with on average 5–13 inches
per month.
All participants must be able, independently or with the
assistance of a companion, to:
□ Follow verbal and/or visual instructions.
□ Enjoy being outdoors all day in all types of weather,
including rain, heat, and humidity, in the potential
presence of insects, snakes and other wild animals.
Field work WILL continue in rainy conditions.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
□ Hike up to 5-8 miles total per day, over steep,
slippery mountain terrain.
CONDITIONS FROM JUNE THROUGH AUGUST
HUMIDITY: 60%–100%
□ Watch footing through dense, tangled vegetation.
TEMPERATURE RANGE: 65º–85º F (18º–29º C)
□ Collect data (images, samples, etc.) and search for
animal signs (scat, tracks) on the ground while moving
over uneven ground and steering clear of obstacles such
as animal holes and sharp branches.
ALTITUDE: Avg. 650 meters (2132.5 feet)
RAINFALL: 10–20 inches per month
□ Get low enough to the ground to measure plants,
collect samples, and access camera and hair traps.
□ Carry personal daily supplies such as lunch, water, and
some small field equipment.
□ Get themselves up into and down out of a four-wheeldrive vehicle, minibus, or car and ride, seated with
seatbelt fastened.
12
POTENTIAL HAZARDS
TRACKING COSTA RICA’S MAMMALS
HAZARD TYPE
ASSOCIATED RISKS AND PRECAUTIONS
Transportation
We may encounter poor road conditions including landslides. Only qualified drivers will transport
volunteers in project vehicles; we ensure project vehicles are well maintained. Seatbelts must be worn at
all times. Volunteers are not permitted to drive.
Walking/Terrain
You’ll likely traverse uneven terrain and hike uphill in humid tropical conditions; there’s a risk of sprains,
strains, bruises or breaks due to falling or tripping. You should never walk ahead of the guide, and should
follow the guide’s instructions. Wear appropriate footwear, with good treads and ankle support, while
hiking. You will be provided with a walking stick to help with balance while hiking. You must be able to
walk or hike in mountainous terrain to the camera trap /hair trap and vegetation sites, and be able to
bend, kneel for extended periods of time while collecting data.
Animals/Plants
Poisonous snakes are present in the area. We will always wear rubber boots or snake guards in the field,
and under no circumstances will we be handling snakes. You’ll likely encounter many insects; wear longsleeved shirts and long pants and apply insect repellent frequently to avoid bites. Those with insect
allergies should bring the proper emergency treatment (such as an epi-pen) and inform staff of the
problem and the location of the treatment; they should take special precautions while collecting field
data. While hiking, we may encounter plants with irritating spines or sap. These plants are easy to avoid
by not reaching out or touching plants while hiking.
Climate/Weather
Dehydration, heat exhaustion, sunburn, and other heat-related illnesses can occur, but you can protect
yourself by drinking sufficient water, wearing high-SPF sunscreen, and wearing appropriate clothing.
Dehydration from sweating can be a problem; please bring your own water bottles that you can easily
carry and refill them with electrolyte-replacing packets. Because of the high humidity, people who use
a hearing aid device may find it doesn’t work properly. Consider purchasing a hearing aid dehumidifier.
You must be able to stay outside in the rain for extended periods of time.
Personal Security
Avoid areas designated as off limits by project staff.
Swimming
Swimming at a local swimming hole is possible during recreational time, as long as volunteers are
competent swimmers, as no lifeguard is present. You may only swim in known, safe environments. Do not
swim alone. Teen teams or student groups will only be permitted to swim if they have a lifeguard
certified facilitator, chaperone or staff member present.
Distance from
Medical Care
It may take an hour to reach the nearest hospital or more to arrange transport and reach the hospital.
If you have a chronic condition which could require immediate medical care (e.g., heart conditions,
kidney problems, severe asthma, etc.), or if you are pregnant, please discuss your participation on this
expedition with your physician.
13
SAFETY
HEALTH INFORMATION
PROJECT VACCINATIONS
REQUIRED: If traveling from countries or region where
yellow fever is endemic, you must have a certificate of
vaccination.
RECOMMENDED: Typhoid, hepatitis A, hepatitis B
EMERGENCIES IN THE FIELD
PHYSICIAN, NURSE, OR EMT ON STAFF: Project staff
members are not medical professionals.
STAFF CERTIFIED IN SAFETY TRAINING
WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER: Jessica Gilbert
CPR: Margot Wood, Jessica Gilbert
FIRST AID: Margot Wood, Jessica Gilbert
NEAREST MEDICAL CARE: Ciudad Quesada.
For emergency assistance in the field, please contact
Earthwatch’s 24-hour emergency hotline number on the
last page of this briefing. Earthwatch is available to assist
you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; someone is always on
call to respond to messages that come into our live
answering service.
IMMUNIZATIONS
Please be sure your routine immunizations are up-to-date
(for example diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles,
mumps, rubella and varicella). Medical decisions are the
responsibility of each volunteer and his or her doctor, and
the following are recommendations only. Visit the Healix
Travel Oracle website through the “Travel Assistance and
Advice” page in your Earthwatch portal, cdc.gov or who.int
for guidance on immunizations.
14
PROJECT STAFF
YOUR RESOURCES IN THE FIELD
MARGOT WOOD, a Ph.D. candidate in the Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Department at Texas A&M
University, has worked in Costa Rica since 2007. She graduated from the University of California, Davis
in 2008 with a degree in Biology, emphasis in Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity. She is interested in
tropical mammalian ecology in agricultural landscapes, and her dissertation focuses on governmental
payment for ecosystem services programs, land use change, and influences on target conservation
species within the biological corridor of Paso de Las Nubes in Costa Rica. Schedule: All Teams
JESSICA GILBERT is a PhD candidate in the Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Department at Texas
A&M University, who is generally interested in conservation biology, endangered species ecology,
biodiversity assessment and protected areas management in the tropics. She is a trainee in the
NSF-IGERT Applied Biodiversity Sciences Program and a Texas A&M Merit Fellow. Schedule: All Teams
DR. THOMAS LACHER, a professor in the Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Department at Texas A&M
University, researches conservation status in mammals and the analysis and monitoring of large-scale
patterns and trends in biodiversity, primarily in the tropics. He was founding director of the Tropical
Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network, based at Conservation International, and is also involved
in the Global Mammal Assessment, done in collaboration with the IUCN Species Survival Commission,
which has evaluated the conservation status of all species of mammals in the world. He is co-chair o
f the IUCN Small Mammal Specialist Group. Schedule: not fielding with teams
DR. EUGENIO GONZALEZ is the director of the Soltis Research and Education Center. Born and
raised in Costa Rica, in early nineties Dr. González came to the US to pursue his doctorate studies.
In 1996 he completed his Ph.D studies in Forestry at Texas A&M University. He has much knowledge
of international environmental research programs and holds numerous publications. Most of his
research and publication work is related to reforestation and restoration of tropical areas, watershed
management and sustainable eco-agriculture. He has coordinated and led pioneering projects
on wetland and forest restoration in Costa Rica, and has organized and participated in multiple
professional seminars on the conservation and restoration tropical ecosystems. Schedule: All Teams
ALBERTH ROJAS holds a technical degree in ecotourism and currently is the Director’s Assistant
for Research and Academic Programs of the Soltis Center for Research and Education that Texas A&M
University operates in Costa Rica. Also, at present Mr Rojas is attending the Technological Institute
of Costa Rica, San Clara Campus, where he is pursuing a degree on management of rural sustainable
tourism. Schedule: All Teams
NOTE: All staff schedules are subject to change.
15
RECOMMENDED READING
YOUR RESOURCES AT HOME
ARTICLES
FIELD GUIDES
• Zbinden, S. and D.R. Lee, ‘Paying for
environmental services: an analysis of
participation in Costa Rica’s PSA Program’,
World development, 2005. 33(2): p. 255-272.
• Pagiola, S., ‘Payments for environmental services
in Costa Rica’ Ecological Economics, 2008. 65(4):
p. 712-724.
• Daily, Gretchen, ‘Countryside Biogeography of
Neotropical Mammals: Conservation Opportunities
in Agricultural Landscapes of Costa Rica’,
Conservation Biology., 2003.
• The Wildlife of Costa Rica, Fiona Reid,
Twan Leenders, Jim Zook, Robert Dean
PROJECT-RELATED WEBSITE
• Soltis Center for Research and Education
soltiscentercostarica.tamu.edu/
• The Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring Lab
agrilife.org/biodiversitylab/
EARTHWATCH SOCIAL MEDIA
Get to know Earthwatch better at:
• FACEBOOK: facebook.com/Earthwatch
BOOKS
• YOUTUBE: youtube.com/earthwatchinstitute
• Lonely Planet, Costa Rica 2013
• Fodor’s Costa Rica 2013
• TWITTER: twitter.com/earthwatch_org
16
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
AROUND-THE-CLOCK SUPPORT
EARTHWATCH’S 24-HOUR EMERGENCY HOTLINE
Call Earthwatch’s 24-hour on-call duty officer in the U.S.:
+1 (978) 461.0081
+1 (800) 776.0188 (toll-free for calls placed from within the U.S.)
After business hours, leave a message with our living answering service. State that you have
an emergency and give the name of your expedition, your name, the location from which you
are calling, and if possible, a phone number where you can be reached. An Earthwatch staff
member will respond to your call within one hour.
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E-MAIL: [email protected]
You may contact Healix International at any time. They can assist in the event of a medical
or evacuation emergency or for routine medical and travel advice, such as advice on visas
and vaccine requirements.
FOR VOLUNTEERS BOOKED THROUGH THE EARTHWATCH AUSTRALIA OFFICE:
Earthwatch Australia 24-Hour Emergency Helpline
+61.0.3.8508.5537
17
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