EARTHWATCH EXPEDITIONS REAL SCIENCE POWERED BY REAL PEOPLE 2015–2016 RESEARCH EXPEDITION GUIDE 2MEET NONPROFIT EARTHWATCH OUR MISSION FOB 1 MISSION EARTHWATCH 2015–2016 RESEARCH EXPEDITIONS OUR MISSION Earthwatch engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Earthwatch is a global community of dedicated volunteers and researchers driven by the desire to make a positive impact on the planet through the power of scientific inquiry. For more than 40 years, we have pioneered a unique model of citizen science, offering you the opportunity to work alongside leading scientists in field sites around the globe. With your help, researchers obtain the valuable data they need to support a healthy planet while volunteers experience a renewed sense of connection to community and the natural world. This powerful partnership has resulted in new conservation laws, preservation efforts, and environmental policies— tangible benefits that underscore our mission to create a more sustainable planet. Through Earthwatch expeditions, you can experience parts of the world largely untouched by tourists—from hiking off-trail through rugged national parks to handling wild animals under the guidance of trained scientists— while contributing to critical research. CHOOSE FROM 50 RESEARCH EXPEDITIONS IN 2015-2016. This guide is printed on 100% recycled paper S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 REAL ACTIONS REAL OUTCOMES Dr. Demian Chapman has shown how citizen science can impact policy change. With the help of Earthwatch volunteer support, Chapman convinced the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to extend restrictions on the shark fin trade. The restrictions now protect the great hammerhead, oceanic white tip, and three other shark species previously unprotected by law. TABLE OF CONTENTS 01 OUR MISSION 02 WAYS TO ENGAGE 05 POWER OF CITIZEN SCIENCE 06 MAP OF EXPEDITIONS 08 HOW TO USE THE GUIDE 10 NORTH AMERICA 20 CENTRAL, SOUTH AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN 30 EUROPE 38 AFRICA 46 ASIA & AUSTRALIA 54 INDEX 56 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU “I am so very glad that Earthwatch exists. I love how it provides a positive outlet for people like me who love the natural world and enjoy feeling that they can help make a difference.” Kathie Kelly, Earthwatch Volunteer 2 ENGAGEMENT ENGAGEMENT WAYS TO ENGAGE As an Earthwatch volunteer, you’ll work alongside leading scientists to facilitate and accelerate the collection of scientific data, while taking part in a transformative personal and team experience. Without the power of citizen science, Earthwatch scientists are limited by the resources available to them, which can slow their progress. At Earthwatch, we support researchers by connecting them to the public to bring about environmental understanding and action. THE PUBLIC Our standard expeditions are open to adult volunteers of all ages. Participants ages 15–17 are also welcome on most expeditions when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Choose from our diverse offering of worldwide expeditions in the following pages. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT earthwatch.org/expeditions HIGH SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS, COMMUNITY AND MORE Whether researching the impacts of climate change, ocean conservation, or the preservation of wildlife, teachers and students return to the classroom inspired by their Earthwatch experiences. We also offer teacher and student fellowships. Contact us today to learn more about exciting opportunities for teachers and students. Zoos, aquaria, alumni groups, businesses and more join customized Earthwatch Expeditions to conduct valuable research, team-build, and invest in local and global communities. Contact us to find out how we can work together to design your customized group expedition today. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT earthwatch.org/education/ student-group-expeditions S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 TEEN TEAMS & SCHOLARSHIPS Earthwatch offers special expeditions where teens can unite and grow alongside leading scientists. Our teen expeditions are exclusively for 15 to 18 year olds. Trained and experienced facilitators offer additional supervision and guidance for the duration of the expedition. See our teen ICON in this guide for teen exclusives and expedition dates. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT earthwatch.org/education/ special-interest-groups FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT earthwatch.org/education/ teen-expeditions FOR INFORMATION ON CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS VISIT earthwatch.org/corporatepartnerships FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SCHOLARSHIPS earthwatch.org/education/studentfellowships/student-challenge-australia FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU 3 4 NONPROFIT CITIZEN SCIENCE THE POWER OF CITIZEN SCIENCE EARTHWATCH IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION With a rapidly expanding population and other global challenges, our natural resources are under increased stress. To make informed policy and management decisions about how to protect our environment, we need data. That’s where you come in. Powered by you, Earthwatch scientists are collecting a massive amount of data to answer key questions about how to conserve our environment. THE COST OF YOUR EXPEDITION SUPPORTS CRITICAL RESEARCH The expeditions outlined in this guide were selected because of their potential to increase scientific knowledge while informing environmental policies, agendas, and management plans. This ensures that the research you support has a very real and meaningful impact. And it doesn’t end there. Earthwatch encourages its volunteers to share their scientific experiences. The more we engage with one another to promote sustainability, the broader our impact will be. Reignite your connection to the natural world by joining an Earthwatch expedition. We need science today to help us make decisions for a better tomorrow. CAN’T GO? GIFT IT. 50 PERCENT is spent by scientists on research activities, including associated administrative costs. 17 PERCENT is spent by Earthwatch on risk assessments, health and safety policies, emergency management procedures, and associated training. 17 PERCENT is spent by Earthwatch to thoroughly prepare you before departure. 10 PERCENT is spent by Earthwatch to promote expeditions and service your participation. 6 PERCENT is spent on insurance coverage and offsetting the greenhouse gas emissions of your travel. DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE. S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 If you are unable to go on an expedition at this time, consider offering an Earthwatch expedition to a friend or family member as a gift. You can also donate online at earthwatch.org/ get-involved or call us at 03 9016 7590. Your generous support funds key research studies around the world! See more on the back of this guide. Earthwatch received the 2014 World Tourism Award, presented by world-renowned travel expert Peter Greenberg, in recognition of its mission to promote a sustainable way of life through education and field research. FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU 5 EXPEDITION MAP WITH EXPEDITIONS AROUND THE WORLD IN KEY ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AREAS, WHERE WILL YOU GO? 5 4 1 25 6 3 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 28 40 43 26 31 11 8 10 30 2 22 16 12 15 1713 23 24 41 21 14 42 35 34 19 38 18 OUR STAFF ARE READY TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR EARTHWATCH EXPEDITION AND EMBARK ON YOUR NEXT GREAT ADVENTURE NORTH AMERICA 29 32 45 47 33 36 37 46 48 39 44 20 49 50 CENTRAL AMERICA EUROPE ASIA NEW Tracking Fire and Wolves through the Canadian Rockies Loons and the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Whales and Dolphins Under the California Sun Climate Change at the Arctic’s Edge Climate Change in the MacKenzie Mountains 12 13 14 15 16 17 25 Tracking Beavers through German Waters 26 NEW Tracking Dolphins in the Adriatic Sea 28 Wildlife in the Changing French Pyrenees 29 Excavating the Roman Empire in Britain 30 NEW Rediscovering the Canary Islands 31 Unearthing Ancient History in Tuscany 40 41 Wildlife of the Mongolian Steppe Butterflies and Bees in the Indian Himalayas 42 Climate and Landscape Change in Borneo’s Rainforests 43 Archaeology of the Mongolian Steppe NEW C limate Change: Sea to Trees at Acadia National Park SOUTH AMERICA AFRICA 18 19 20 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 8 NEW E xploring Rising Tides in South Carolina 9 NEW S aving Joshua’s Trees Desert Species 10 Encountering the Prehistoric People of New Mexico 11 Uncovering the Mysteries of Ancient Colorado Exploring an Active Volcano in Nicaragua Tracking Costa Rica’s Mammals Costa Rican Sea Turtles Safeguarding Whales and Dolphins in Costa Rica Shark Conservation in Belize Climate Change and Caterpillars in Costa Rica Amazon Riverboat Exploration Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos NEW Trailing Penguins in Patagonia THE CARIBBEAN 21 22 23 24 Puerto Rico’s Rainforest NEW Helping Endangered Corals in Little Cayman Investigating Reefs and Marine Wildlife in The Bahamas Tracking Sea Turtles in The Bahamas Animals of Malawi in the Majete Wildlife Reserve Conserving Leopards and Monkeys in South Africa Exploring Lions and their Prey in Kenya Investigating Threats to Chimps in Uganda South Africa’s Hyenas South African Penguins Coral Communities in the Seychelles NEW Discovering Sharks in South Africa AUSTRALIA 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Conserving Koala Country Wildlife of Australia’s Rainforest Project Manta Recovery of the Great Barrier Reef NEW Snorkel for Queensland’s Marine Mammals Melbourne’s Microbats Turtles on the Move *Numbers 7 & 27 are one-day expeditions not sold from Australia FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU 7 8 FOB ORGANIZATION REVIEWS REVIEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE HOW TO USE THE GUIDE “Every day we had close encounters with African animals of our childhood dreams. Our work was supporting innovative and solution-oriented strategies that honored the human communities of Kenya as well as biodiversity. Science for solutions . . . now it doesn’t get much better than that. ” The Earthwatch 2015–2016 Expedition Guide is divided into the following five regions: North America, Central & South America & the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and Asia & Australia. Within each region, expeditions are split into four research categories: Wildlife and Ecosystems, Climate Change, Archaeology and Culture, and Ocean Health. Kim Parfitt, Exploring Lions and their Prey in Kenya HIGH TEMP: Includes field activities in hot and humid climates. LOW TEMP: Includes field activities in cold climates and may include snow and ice. ICONS Each Earthwatch expedition involves a unique set of activities, climate conditions, and research areas. The icons described to the right will be used throughout the Guide. BOATING: Includes open water, motorized transportation. May also include light physical exertion, such as paddling. DIGGING: Includes bending and kneeling for extended periods and working with trowels. DIVING: Requires proof of SCUBA certification. Additional requirements and conditions vary by expedition—some projects may require a certain level of experience and/or medical sign-off. FLAT LAND HIKING: Involves walking or hiking on established trails. Steepness ranges from 0–30 degrees. S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 SNORKELING: Involves use of mask, fins, and snorkel. No scuba diving experience required. SWIMMING: Includes open water swimming, which may include deep water. UPHILL HIKING: Difficult hiking and terrain. May include off trail hiking and the need to use hands to maintain balance at times. Steepness ranges from 30–60 degrees. TEEN: Expeditions have teen exclusive fielding dates. Note there are other fielding dates on these expeditions for adults. WILDLIFE: Involves working within close proximity to wild animals and/or animal handling. Specific safety guidelines are in place. WILDLIFE & ECOSYSTEMS: Help to develop conservation plans to protect our planet and its most threatened inhabitants. OCEAN HEALTH: Ensure the future of our planet’s largest resource. Study ways to protect coral reefs and the threatened species that inhabit our waters. CLIMATE CHANGE: Support research that improves our understanding of how climate change is affecting the environment. ARCHAEOLOGY & CULTURE: Unearth the remains of ancient cultures to find out how our ancestors lived. Safeguard our future by uncovering our past. “The beautiful turquoise waters in The Bahamas are reason enough to go there. But, to pursue and capture adolescent green turtles and hawksbill turtles in the shallows of the island shorelines . . . is an experience to remember forever.” Jim La Rochelle, Tracking Sea Turtles in The Bahamas “Every Earthwatch project I have been on I have wanted to do again and this one was no exception . . . On three occasions polar bears came right up to the building which meant we got some great photos but were pleased to be inside!” Claire Doe, Climate Change at the Arctic’s Edge “My grandson, Kieren, and I joined the first expedition at the site this summer . . . I can totally recommend this experience to anyone wanting an active educational holiday.” Noel Henry, Excavating the Roman Empire in Britain FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU 9 1 2 From studying climate change at the Arctic’s edge to tracking the health of dolphins and whales off the coast of Southern California, Earthwatch’s North American expeditions offer you the chance to contribute to critical research that addresses key environmental challenges. S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 3 4 1. Overlooking the Mackenzie Mountain Barrens, the team hikes and records plant observations.2. In the high desert of Southwest Colorado, team members excavate ancient households. 3. Volunteers observe the behaviour of marine mammals from lookout points along the California coast. 4. Volunteers access melting sea ice in the Arctic to better understand how climate change is shaping our planet. FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU 12 NORTH AMERICA NORTH AMERICA 13 SPOTLIGHT ON DR. JIM PARUK 5 SENIOR SCIENTIST AT THE CENTER FOR LOON CONSERVATION AT THE BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH INSTITUTE 4 6 1 11 3 10 9 “I was sickened by the oil spill in the Gulf when it happened; I think we all were. I just wanted to do something. And for me, being a loon biologist, this is how I could get involved.” 8 2 After the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, leading researchers from around the world descended on the Gulf to study the ways in which the massive disaster would impact species and ecosystems. Dr. Jim Paruk was no exception. He investigates how the spill has affected large seabird populations— such as loons and pelicans—on the Louisana shore, but he can’t do it alone. WHAT CAN YOU DO? “ We need ‘seeing eyes.’ My experience with Earthwatch in the past is that the volunteers are knowledgeable, bright, caring people who want to contribute. They make great suggestions, and they bring their energy and enthusiasm to the project, which keeps me going.” LOONS AND THE GULF OF MEXICO OIL SPILL RESEARCH TASKS • Help capture, record, and release loons at night; observe behavior during the day. SCIENTIST: Dr. Jim Paruk, Senior Scientist at the Center for Loon Conservation at the Biodiversity Research Institute • Assist with collecting and recording data on Brown Pelicans. LOCATION: Port Sulfur, • Help researchers to process bird blood samples. DURATION: 7–14 days IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? NORTH AMERICA 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 NEW Tracking Fire and Wolves through the Canadian Rockies Loons and the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Whales and Dolphins Under the California Sun Climate Change at the Arctic’s Edge Climate Change in the MacKenzie Mountains NEW Climate Change: Sea to Trees at Acadia National Park NEW Exploring Rising Tides in South Carolina NEW Saving Joshua Tree’s Desert Species Encountering the Prehistoric People of New Mexico pg. 14 pg. 13 pg. 14 pg. 15 web pg. 16 pg. 15 pg. 16 pg. 17 11 Uncovering the Mysteries of Ancient Colorado pg. 17 S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 AU $2,995 Louisiana, United States FIELDING MONTHS: Feb., Mar. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Field house near Gulf of Mexico, volunteers help prepare meals In April 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill released more than 200 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, leading to one of the worst environmental crises in history. Researchers are now studying large seabirds, such as loons and pelicans, to look for signs that spilled oil is working its way up the food chain. On this expedition, you’ll travel in boats to capture and tag loons at night, and pelicans and cormorants during the day—research activities that will help scientists to better understand how to protect these species. FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU 14 NORTH AMERICA NORTH AMERICA 15 TRACKING FIRE AND WOLVES THROUGH THE CANADIAN ROCKIES RESEARCH TASKS • Track wolves once a week using noninvasive scientific methods. • Measure trees and shrubs to document the impact of wolves and prescribed fire on an ecosystem. • Evaluate what elk are eating to track how they respond to wolves. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? from AU $2,995 RESEARCH TASKS SCIENTIST: Dr. Cristina Eisenberg, Lead Scientist at Earthwatch Institute LOCATION: Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada DURATION: 7 or 13 days FIELDING MONTHS: July, Aug. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Shared house with beautiful mountain views, local & organic fare, volunteers help prepare meals. In many places in western North America, wolves have been hunted nearly to extinction. But in Waterton Lakes National Park, they’ve made a comeback naturally. Explore how wolves and fire keep ecosystems healthy in one of the wildest places in North America. Hike off-trail through rugged parts of the park that tourists never see as you help researchers untangle the complex interactions between wolves, elk, and fire. Work with park managers to measure vegetation, elk grazing land, and the impact of controlled fires. Spend time on the trail of wolves as you study their meeting sites and travel corridors. WHALES AND DOLPHINS UNDER THE CALIFORNIA SUN RESEARCH TASKS • Spot and record whales and dolphins, including the endangered blue whale, from a boat. • Observe whales and dolphins from shore. • Create GIS maps of sighting locations. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? from AU $3,695 LOCATION: Dana Point and Catalina • Record plant and animal observations. • Analyze your findings in the lab to understand climate-related changes in the Arctic. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? SCIENTIST: Dr. LeeAnn Fishback, Scientific Coordinator, Churchill Northern Studies Centre LOCATION: Churchill, Manitoba, Canada DURATION: 11 days FIELDING MONTHS: Feb., June, July, Aug., Sept. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Research Centre with northern lights dome, buffet-style meals EXPLORING RISING TIDES IN SOUTH CAROLINA • Survey fireflies as they are evidence of a healthy habitat. • Plot, tag, and measure plants and track tree growth. DURATION: 7 or 14 days FIELDING MONTHS: June, July IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: AU $4,295 Shrinking sea ice, retreating glaciers, a tree line migrating north, and less snow that melts earlier—all are clear signs that the climate in the Arctic is changing. But what do these changes mean for the future of this landscape and the species that live there, including humans? On summer and fall expeditions, you’ll don waist-high waders to collect water samples and survey the number of fish and frogs that live in these northern wetlands. On winter expeditions, you’ll assess snowpack as you travel between research sites on a sled pulled by a snowmobile. You may even get the chance to build and sleep in an igloo for a night. • Collect water and soil samples to help understand forest carbon storage. Island, California, United States AU $2,995 SCIENTIST: Dr. Alex Chow, Assistant Professor, Clemson University LOCATION: Winyah Bay, South Carolina, United States DURATION: 7 days FIELDING MONTHS: July, Aug. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Cottages and dorms on protected forest, regional staples Cozy condo with ocean views, volunteers help prepare meals Collisions between whales and boats have risen steadily since the 1950s as ships have gotten larger and faster and whale populations have begun to recover from the whaling industry. Evidence suggests that whales exert extra energy trying to avoid boat traffic and forage less when boats are nearby. On this expedition, you’ll track whales and dolphins in the Catalina Channel to help inform strategies to reduce conflicts with boat traffic. S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 • Use sophisticated equipment to study snowpack, permafrost, and soil. RESEARCH TASKS SCIENTIST: Dr. Lei Lani Stelle, Associate Professor, University of Redlands from CLIMATE CHANGE AT THE ARCTIC’S EDGE Wetlands feed and filter our drinking water, hold floodwater at bay, and provide a home for an array of plants and animals. In some areas, however, rising sea levels have reshaped this environment. On the coast of the wildlife-rich Winyah Bay, just below Myrtle Beach, you will hike the Hobcaw Barony—a wetlands area that is accessible only to researchers. You’ll tag and identify trees, measure water quality, and survey fireflies. By understanding climate change, scientists can recommend the best way to protect this critical wetland forest and others like it around the world. FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU 16 NORTH AMERICA NORTH AMERICA 17 CLIMATE CHANGE: SEA TO TREES AT ACADIA NATIONAL PARK RESEARCH TASKS • Identify birds, plants, insects, or crustaceans on foot or bike. • Collect dragon flies from freshwater sources to test for mercury pollution. AU $3,895 S CIENTIST: Dr. Abraham Miller Rushing, Science Coordinator, National Park Service, Acadia National Park LOCATION: Acadia National Park, Maine, United States • Transcribe historical accounts of naturalists in Acadia dating back more than 120 years. DURATION: 7 days FIELDING MONTHS: July, Aug., Sept., Oct. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? RESEARCH TASKS S CIENTIST: Dr. Anastasia Steffen, • E xcavate in Valle Entrada and possibly discover ancient weapons. Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of New Mexico & Cultural Resources Coordinator, Valles Caldera National Preserve • Walk the valley to map artifacts. LOCATION: Valles Caldera, • Record the location of artifacts using GPS and take them to the lab for analysis. New Mexico, United States DURATION: 11 days IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? FIELDING MONTHS: July, Oct. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Lodge ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: overlooking meadow, Mexican and Southwestern cuisine. Apartments or bunkhouses, home-cooked meals by staff The granite mountains and craggy coasts of the islands that make up Acadia are famous for their beauty and their wildlife; however, the habitat is threatened by the effects of climate change. On this expedition, you’ll examine the impacts of three phenomena—warming temperatures, mercury pollution, and ocean acidification—on plants and wildlife, on land, in ponds, and within the intertidal zone. The data you collect will be compared to more than 120 years of past environmental observations and may inspire policies to safeguard this iconic national park. SAVING JOSHUA TREE`S DESERT SPECIES RESEARCH TASKS • Record information about changes in the ranges of desert reptiles (as well as other animals) and plants due to climate change. AU $2,795 S CIENTIST: Dr. Cameron Barrows, Associate Research Ecologist, University of California Riverside LOCATION: Joshua Tree National Park, United States • Monitor declines and reproduction in vegetation as you tag and identify plants. DURATION: 7 or 14 days • E xplore the desert in search of tortoises and birds. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? FIELDING MONTHS: Mar., May Research station with wilderness views, staff prepared meals. The Valles Caldera in the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico, a landscape formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago, offers a glimpse into human history. Join researchers as they survey and excavate the Valle Entrada, part of prehistoric trading routes. The archaeological record in the preserve could help us understand how people lived in the Southwestern U.S. for thousands of years before the Pueblo farmers. On this expedition, live the life of an archaeologist and help us preserve and share the lessons learned from the region’s invaluable cultural resources. S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 AU $2,695 UNCOVERING THE MYSTERIES OF ANCIENT COLORADO RESEARCH TASKS • E xcavate ancient households and architecture, such as the great kiva (a gathering place). • Use remote sensing tools to search for overlooked features beneath the ground. • In the lab, wash, sort, and label artifacts such as pottery, stone works, and animal bones. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? Joshua trees can live for hundreds of years in one of the most extreme climates in the U.S.: the Mojave Desert. However, these trees, and the plants and animals that share their habitat, are now threatened by climate change. Scientists predict that if temperatures rise at the expected rate, this iconic tree will disappear from 90% of its current range in California’s Joshua Tree National Park by the end of the century. You’ll hike among stunning rock formations as you identify plants and document sightings of the park’s birds and reptiles. Be a part of the park’s first long-term monitoring project that will help to interpret and shape its future. AU $3,395 ENCOUNTERING THE PREHISTORIC PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO S CIENTIST: Dr. Susan Ryan, Research Archaeologist at Crow Canyon Archaeological Center LOCATION: Cortez, Colorado, United States DURATION: 7 or 14 days FIELDING MONTHS: July, Aug., Sept. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Navajo-style log cabins, healthy fare prepared by staff Dig into the archaeology of Colorado’s Basketmaker communities to help uncover clues about their transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture. The Mesa Verde region in southwest Colorado is ideal for studying this transition, which occurred in this area during the Basketmaker III period (A.D. 500 to 750). You’ll join a group of archaeologists at Crow Canyon Archaeological Center in Cortez, Colorado, to take part in hands-on archaeological fieldwork by excavating the largest known Basketmaker III community in the region. FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU 18 NORTH AMERICA 1 2 From tagging sharks in Belize to tracking penguins at the southern tip of Argentina, our expeditions to Central and South America and the Caribbean offer you unparalleled opportunities to immerse yourself in nature while conducting scientific research. S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 3 4 1. In the Costa Rican forest, volunteers survey tropical plants. 2. The expedition team uses high-tech equipment to study an active Nicaraguan volcano’s crater. 3. Volunteers cruise along a riverboat in the Amazon collecting critical wildlife data. 4. In Costa Rica Earthwatch volunteers track and photgraph whales and dolphins. FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU 20 CENTRAL AMERICA 23 CENTRAL AMERICA 21 24 SPOTLIGHT ON PROF. HAZEL RYMER 22 21 16 DEAN AND DIRECTOR OF STUDIES FOR THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE, OPEN UNIVERSITY 12 17 13 15 “There’s absolutely nothing we can do to stop a volcano from erupting. And I rather like that, because it reminds me of how very small we are on this planet.” 14 19 18 Professor Hazel Rymer believes volcanoes are windows into the planet. Rymer has studied active volcanoes around the world – including the famous Askja Volcano in Iceland, which erupted explosively in 1875. Now, with the support of Earthwatch volunteers, Rymer is studying how the Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua is impacting its environment. Armed with a better understanding of the effects of this volcano, Rymer and her team aim to help local communities live peacefully with Masaya and develop safer evacuation plans. But to do this, she needs long-term monitoring data. “In order to get a lot of measurements for a lot of volcanoes you need a lot of instruments and a lot of people to help you. So I depend on citizen scientists…and it has been revolutionary.” EXPLORING AN ACTIVE VOLCANO IN NICARAGUA RESEARCH TASKS • Set up and monitor instruments to measure volcanic activity. CENTRAL AMERICA 12 13 14 15 16 17 Exploring an Active Volcano in Nicaragua Tracking Costa Rica’s Mammals Costa Rican Sea Turtles Safeguarding Whales and Dolphins in Costa Rica Shark Conservation in Belize Climate Change and Caterpillars in Costa Rica pg. 21 pg. 22 pg. 22 pg. 23 pg. 23 pg. 24 • Catch and identify butterflies that are sensitive to volcanic emissions. • Measure plants that are susceptible to changes in volcanic emissions. SOUTH AMERICA 18 19 20 Amazon Riverboat Exploration Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos NEW Trailing Penguins in Patagonia pg. 24 pg. 25 pg. 25 IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? 23 24 Puerto Rico’s Rainforest NEW Helping Endangered Corals in Little Cayman Investigating Reefs and Marine Wildlife in the Bahamas Tracking Sea Turtles in The Bahamas SCIENTIST: Prof. Hazel Rymer, Dean and Director of Studies for the Faculty of Science, Open University LOCATION: Masaya Volcano, Nicaragua DURATION: 7 or 14 days FIELDING MONTHS: Feb., Mar. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Hotel in Masaya, Central American fare 20 THE CARIBBEAN 21 22 from AU $2,995 pg. 26 pg. 26 pg. 27 pg. 27 S TART S TART YOURYOUR JOURNE JOURNE Y TODAY! Y TODAY! CALLCALL: TOLL-FREE + 61 3 1.800.776.0188 9016 7590 The Masaya Volcano is continually erupting, spewing out a steady plume of gas, which can dramatically impact the surrounding environment. Learn how to use high-tech scientific instruments and hike through the forest to study how this flow of gases affects the region’s ecosystems. By joining this field research team, you’ll have a chance to contribute to our understanding of how volcanoes can shape the lives of the plants, animals, and people around them. FOR FORMORE MOREDEDE TAILS TAILSVISIT VISITE ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU E ARTHWATCH.ORG 22 CENTRAL AMERICA CENTRAL AMERICA 23 TRACKING COSTA RICA’S MAMMALS RESEARCH TASKS • Check camera traps and hair traps to determine mammal activity. • Record the height and diameter of plants to measure forest health. AU $3,295 S CIENTIST: Margot Wood, Ph.D. Candidate, Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Department, Texas A&M University LOCATION: San Isidro, Peñas Blancas, Costa Rica • Visit land managers to investigate how they use the land and interact with wildlife. DURATION: 10 days FIELDING MONTHS: June, July IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Shared cabins near nature walks, Costa Rican fare In the Paso de Las Nubes Biological Corridor, farmland is intertwined with national parks and other protected areas. Therefore, efforts to protect wild landscapes require the help and support of farmers. You will interview farmers and track wildlife to help researchers determine if Costa Rica’s environmental policies have been effective, or if they need new strategies. This is your chance to have a concrete impact on the forests of Costa Rica and the animals and people who depend on them for survival. COSTA RICAN SEA TURTLES RESEARCH TASKS • Observe and monitor nesting leatherback turtles. • Relocate eggs from threatened sea turtle nests. AU $3,295 S CIENTIST: Dr. Frank Paladino, Professor of Biology, Indiana-Purdue University LOCATION: Parque Nacional • Take hatchlings to the water’s edge and release them into the ocean. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? Marino Las Baulas, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica DURATION: 9 days FIELDING MONTHS: Jan., Feb., Oct. Nov., Dec. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Biology field station on beach, Costa Rican fare The leatherback sea turtle population in the Pacific Ocean, once the stronghold of the species, has dropped by more than 90% since 1980. To understand why this population has declined so rapidly, researchers are studying their behavior, physiology, genetics, and migration patterns. You’ll get up close to these massive animals to help scientists attach transmitters that track the leatherbacks’ movements. You’ll also transfer eggs from nests in dangerous spots to a safe hatchery to better protect this vulnerable species. S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 SAFEGUARDING WHALES AND DOLPHINS IN COSTA RICA RESEARCH TASKS • Travel by boat to find and document schools of dolphins and pods of whales. • Record information such as water temperature, sea state, and GPS location. • Identify dolphins by the markings on their dorsal fins. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? AU $2,995 S CIENTIST: Dr. Lenin E. Oviedo Correa, Chief Scientific Advisor and Research Associate, Center for Cetacean Research of Costa Rica LOCATION: Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica DURATION: 9 days FIELDING MONTHS: Jan, Feb., June, July, Aug., Dec. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Forest eco-lodge, Costa Rican fare Golfo Dulce, a narrow inlet on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, is a rich habitat for marine life. In an environment largely untouched by tourism, researchers are studying the populations, distributions and habitat preferences of the pan-tropical spotted dolphin, the bottlenose dolphin, and the migratory humpback whale. The data you collect will help policymakers to decide whether the region needs a permanent marine protected area. SHARK CONSERVATION IN BELIZE RESEARCH TASKS • Help researchers to implant transmitters on sharks to record their movements. • Catalog and organize tissue samples taken from sharks. • Observe ocean life through baited remote underwater video cameras. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? AU $3,395 S CIENTIST: Dr. Demian Chapman, Assistant Professor, School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Stony Brook University LOCATION: South Water Caye or Glover’s Reef, Belize DURATION: 8 days FIELDING MONTHS: Jan., June, July ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Field station near the ocean, Belizean cuisine Because sharks breed more slowly than other fish, their populations have difficulty recovering from major losses. Join the first study of its kind: measuring how long it takes an overfished shark population to recover in a newly minted marine reserve. Travel by boat to deploy baited remote underwater video cameras (BRUVs) and attach tags to sharks to track their movements in relation to marine reserve boundaries—a critical part of assessing how well the reserve is working to rebuild shark populations. FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU 24 SOUTH AMERICA CARIBBEAN 25 CLIMATE CHANGE AND CATERPILLARS IN COSTA RICA RESEARCH TASKS • E xplore the La Tirimbina Rainforest Reserve. • Hike on and off trail to gather caterpillars and plants in the field. • E xamine caterpillars in the lab and release them or add them to the caterpillar “zoo” for further analyses. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? AU $3,595 S CIENTIST: Dr. Lee Dyer, Professor and Director, Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, Reno LOCATION: La Selva Biological Station & Tirimbina, Costa Rica DURATION: 9 days FIELDING MONTHS: Dec. Bunk beds deep in the forest, traditional Costa Rican fare from AMAZON RIVERBOAT EXPLORATION RESEARCH TASKS RESEARCH TASKS AU $3,495 S CIENTIST: Dr. Richard Bodmer, LOCATION: Galápagos, Ecuador • Monitor finch mate choice and observe the genetic battle firsthand. DURATION: 10 days FIELDING MONTHS: Jan. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: House overlooking Tortuga Bay, prepared regional dishes The Galápagos Islands are home to a unique array of animal species, including 14 species of native birds known as Darwin’s finches. The beak size and shape of these birds are linked to the seeds they eat; however, the abundance of human-introduced foods seems to be creating a population of “lazy” birds—finches that don’t have to work hard to find the right food for their beak. You’ll help catch birds, measure their beak size, head size, and body dimensions, and photograph them for analysis. With your help, researchers can understand how to conserve the distinct finch species made famous by Charles Darwin. TRAILING PENGUINS IN PATAGONIA RESEARCH TASKS • Walk and map a penguin colony and help tag penguins. • Track wildlife, including primates and game birds. LOCATION: Samiria River, Peru • Meet and work with the Cocama people from a nearby village. • Help scientists to attach tracking devices to penguins to record their movements. FIELDING MONTHS: Jan., Apr., IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? De León, Researcher, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología • Hike off trail to hunt for finch food. Professor, Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology DURATION: 8 or 15 days Aug., Sept., Nov., Dec. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Restored rubber-boom-era vessels, South American cuisine The Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve is a rare example of how conservation efforts work best when done in collaboration with local people. Aboard a riverboat, you’ll travel deep into the heart of Peru’s flooded Amazon region, home to an incredible array of wildlife, including pink river dolphins, caimans, uakari monkeys, and manatees. The animals you’ll monitor provide key information about the health of the ecosystem and the sustainability of traditional hunting and fishing. Help the Cocama people develop management plans to protect both their needs and the wildlife of the Samiria River basin. S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 AU $3,595 S CIENTIST: Dr. Luis Fernando • Assist with setting up mist nets to catch and measure finches. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Costa Rica’s caterpillars come in an array of shapes and colors, which are used to ward off predators such as wasps and flies (parasitoids). Caterpillars and parasitoids live in a delicate balance: parasitoids keep caterpillar populations in check, which prevents them from decimating their food plants. But climate change could upset this balance. You’ll search the forests of Costa Rica for caterpillars and take specimens to the lab for state-of-the-art chemical analysis and observation. You may even identify a new species—it’s happened before. • Spot, survey, and identify pink river and grey dolphins. FOLLOWING DARWIN’S FINCHES IN THE GALÁPAGOS • Observe penguin pairs and weigh eggs and hatchlings. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? AU $3,895 S CIENTIST: Dr. Flavio Quintana, Investigador Principal, CONICET LOCATION: Chubut, Patagonia, Argentina DURATION: 7 days FIELDING MONTHS: Oct., Nov., Dec. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Modern house in town of Camarones, fresh Argentine fare Researchers don’t know exactly how or where penguins from the Cabo dos Bahías colony get their food because they forage beneath the ocean. Join a team of scientists using cutting-edge technology to solve this mystery, which could have important implications for how we conserve this beloved bird. You’ll travel to the rookeries on the shores of Argentina’s Golfo San Jorge to observe a colony of about 9,000 breeding pairs of penguins. You’ll help to mount tracking devices that capture the penguins’ movements—information that will ultimately help to identify areas that need government protection. FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU 26 CARIBBEAN CARIBBEAN 27 PUERTO RICO’S RAINFOREST RESEARCH TASKS • Head out in the early morning to spot and record birds. AU $3,095 S CIENTIST: Thrity “3t” Vakil, President, Tropic Ventures Education and Research Foundation • Search for, capture, and identify frogs and lizards in the rainforest. LOCATION: Las Casas de la Selva, • Plant new trees to restore natural habitat. DURATION: 10 days IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? Patillas, Puerto Rico FIELDING MONTHS: June, July, Dec., Jan. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Bunkhouse or platform tent in rainforest, Caribbean cooking Humans have extensively used most of Puerto Rico’s forests over the past few centuries, clearing them for agriculture, coffee plantations, and pastures, and harvesting wood for fuel. Now, as more people move to cities, urban sprawl further threatens the forests. On this expedition, researchers are studying the ecology of rainforests—how all of the organisms in them coexist—and testing different forest management techniques. You’ll help to monitor the test sites to see how healthy the trees are, plant native tree species, and survey and observe birds— activities that help to measure the health of the rainforest. HELPING ENDANGERED CORALS IN LITTLE CAYMAN RESEARCH TASKS • Snorkel, survey, and record GPS coordinates of coral reefs. • Help researchers build structures used to grow new staghorn coral. • Input data collected into a database to track reef changes over time. AU $3,195 S CIENTIST: Dr. Kristi Foster, INVESTIGATING REEFS AND MARINE WILDLIFE IN THE BAHAMAS RESEARCH TASKS • Snorkel through reefs and mangroves to identify fish species. • Record environmental data such as water depth and mangrove density. • Set up underwater video cameras and document the footage. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? AU $3,195 S CIENTIST: Dr. Annabelle Brooks, Research Manager, Cape Eleuthera Institute LOCATION: Eleuthera Island, The Bahamas DURATION: 10 days FIELDING MONTHS: Mar., June, July, Aug. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Bunk beds with ocean views, Caribbean and American fare The Bahamas’ reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove creeks, and patch reefs (small reefs in shallow water) are under threat from climate change, overfishing, and coastal development. You will work alongside researchers to identify fish and observe their behavior, and also record environmental data such as water depth, flow rate, and density of plant life. Armed with these data, researchers can better understand how to protect these rich aquatic environments. TRACKING SEA TURTLES IN THE BAHAMAS RESEARCH TASKS AU $3,295 • Catch sea turtles in the water and record data. S CIENTIST: Dr. Annabelle Brooks, Research Manager, Cape Eleuthera Institute • Snorkel through turtle habitats and record GPS locations. LOCATION: Eleuthera Island, The Bahamas DURATION: 9 days FIELDING MONTHS: July, Dec. • Set up baited remote underwater video cameras to capture signs of turtle predators. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Bunk beds with ocean views, Caribbean and American food Assistant Director of Research, Central Caribbean Marine Institute, LOCATION: Little Cayman, Cayman Islands DURATION: 7 days IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? Beachfront rooms at research station, meals prepared by local cook The coral reef off Little Cayman Island is a story of survival. It’s one of the few reefs in the world to recover after the 1998 El Niño, which caused record-high sea temperatures and devastated reefs around the world. What can Little Cayman’s reefs tell us about how to protect coral reefs elsewhere that are threatened by warmer temperatures? Alongside leading researchers, you will snorkel off this remote island, survey coral growth, and record conditions that best support coral health. The aim is to use this information to help protect reefs across the globe. S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 FIELDING MONTHS: Feb., June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. Sea turtles have survived for millions of years, but may not be able to withstand human-induced threats. To save the endangered green and hawksbill sea turtles from further decline, researchers need to ensure their habitats are protected from coastal development and climate change. You’ll snorkel or travel by boat in clear coastal waters to catch and study these fascinating creatures. Discover which habitats are most important to these turtles and help researchers and the government to create plans that protect these ecosystems from development. FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU 28 NORTH AMERICA NORTH AMERICA 29 1 2 From excavating ancient Roman ruins in Britain to tracking dolphins in the Adriatic Sea, our Europe-based expeditions offer you the opportunity to explore the rich history and biodiversity of the region while contributing to scientific research. 28 S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 3 4 1. Volunteers unearth artifacts along the coast of Tuscany. 2. Earthwatch volunteers look for remnants of colonial farming in the Canary Islands. 3. Volunteer trek through the French Pyrenees to survey and observe birds for evidence of environmental changes 4. Volunteers photograph and document dolphins’ size and behavior in the Adriatic Sea. FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU 30 EUROPE EUROPE 31 29 25 EUROPE 25 26 28 29 30 31 Tracking Beavers through German Waters NEW Tracking Dolphins in the Adriatic Sea Wildlife in the French Pyrenees Excavating the Roman Empire in Britain NEW Rediscovering the Canary Islands Unearthing Ancient History in Tuscany pg. 32 pg. 32 web pg. 33 pg. 34 pg. 34 26 28 31 30 S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU EUROPE 33 32 EUROPE TRACKING BEAVERS THROUGH GERMAN WATERS RESEARCH TASKS • Observe beavers in the wild at dawn and dusk. • Paddle by canoe to scout for signs of beaver activity. from AU $2,795 S CIENTIST: Dr. William Megill, Rhine Waal University of Applied Sciences LOCATION: Emmerich, Germany DURATION: 7 or 13 days • Hike to survey beaver habitat. FIELDING MONTHS: May, June, IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? Aug., Sept. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Full-service hotel in Emmerich, local fare at hotel Beavers—nature’s engineers—were reintroduced in the Netherlands in the 1980s and have since made their way to the densely populated Lower Rhine region of Germany. Scientists lack information on the numbers and range of these expert builders and how they are influenced by human activities like farming, fishing, and waterway maintenance. You’ll search ponds and streams for signs of beaver life, record those you see, and observe their behavior. The critical baseline data you collect will shape plans to manage beavers so that they can co-exist with the people of the Lower Rhine. TRACKING DOLPHINS IN THE ADRIATIC SEA RESEARCH TASKS • Scout for dolphins from a watchtower; track dolphins on the water based on scout reports. • Watch for loggerhead sea turtles as you track the dolphins. AU $3,395 S CIENTIST: Dr. Tilen Genov, Head of Science, MorigenosSlovenian Marine Mammal Society LOCATION: Piran, Slovenia • Photo-identify individual dolphins from the markings on their dorsal fins. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? DURATION: 10 days FIELDING MONTHS: June, July, Aug., Sept. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Comfortable apartment, fresh Mediterranean cuisine Join an investigation into the dolphin population that lives in Slovenia’s beautiful coastal waters. Each day you’ll travel by boat on the Adriatic Sea to search for these charismatic marine mammals—as well as loggerhead sea turtles—to monitor where they feed and raise their young and how they interact with each other. Help researchers understand which parts of the ocean are most important to dolphins and turtles so they can inform government policies that safeguard dolphins and the Adriatic Sea ecosystem. S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 EXCAVATING THE ROMAN EMPIRE IN BRITAIN RESEARCH TASKS • Uncover the remains of the Roman settlement of Arbeia, including coins and pieces of pottery. • Draw and photograph excavation sites. • Catalog, sort, and clean finds for excavation records. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? from AU $2,195 S CIENTIST: Dr. Paul Bidwell, Head of Archaeology, Tyne and Wear Museums LOCATION: South Shields, Tyneside, United Kingdom DURATION: 6 or 14 days FIELDING MONTHS: June, July, Aug. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Local guesthouses near seafront, hearty meals Arbeia was a Roman military and civilian settlement and port. Its fort became part of the frontier defense system begun in A.D. 122 by the Emperor Hadrian. Hadrian’s Wall, just four miles from Arbeia, marks the boundary of the empire. New discoveries are constantly being made at the site, painting the most detailed picture ever seen of the inside of a Roman military base of the first to the fourth centuries. You’ll take part in excavation activities, including surveying the site, sampling, cleaning, planning and mapping, as well as processing the finds. EXCAVATING THE ROMAN EMPIRE IN BRITAIN—WEEKENDER RESEARCH TASKS • Dig into layers of Roman occupation from the first to the fourth centuries. • Clean, label, and sort finds such as pottery and animal bones. • Study artifacts, from pottery to coins, that have been unearthed by other teams. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? AU $495 S CIENTIST: Dr. Paul Bidwell, Head of Archaeology, Tyne and Wear Museums LOCATION: South Shields, Tyneside, United Kingdom DURATION: 3 days FIELDING MONTHS: May, Aug. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Self-arranged lodging in South Shields, local restaurants Spend a weekend on an archaeological excavation near Hadrian’s Wall to discover how the Romans lived in northern England. As a weekend volunteer, you may choose from two options, both of which include a visit to the Great North Museum in Newcastle. Option 1: During the Sampler Weekend of Archaeology, you’ll learn how to use an archaeological trowel and record finds. You’ll help trained staff to excavate layers of Roman occupation from the first to the fourth centuries A.D. Option 2: During the Archaeological Finds Weekend, you’ll get up close with the finds from excavations at the fort, which include a range of artifacts from pottery to coins. FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU 34 EUROPE from REDISCOVERING THE CANARY ISLANDS RESEARCH TASKS • Survey archaeological sites. • Record evidence of Colonial Spanish farmers. AU $3,895 S CIENTIST: Dr. Christopher Stevenson, Assistant Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University LOCATION: Canary Islands, Spain • Sort artifacts and note the location of the finds. DURATION: 12 days FIELDING MONTHS: May, June IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Restored colonial estate, prepared Spanish and American fare COULD THIS BE YOU IN 2015? Nearly 100,000 volunteers have participated on Earthwatch expeditions since 1971, contributing roughly 10,000,000 hours of data collection—far more than our scientists could have collected alone. Here are two snapshots of volunteer experiences that beg the question: Could this be YOU in 2015? Spanish colonists occupied the island of Lanzarote from the late 1300s to the late 1800s. Join this archaeological expedition to investigate how colonialist farmers worked with their specific surroundings in the Canary Islands, a beautiful island chain just off the northwest coast of Morocco. You’ll help researchers understand how farming techniques from the past can be applied to the sustainable farming techniques of today. UNEARTHING ANCIENT HISTORY IN TUSCANY RESEARCH TASKS • E xcavate artifacts with trowels, brushes, and other tools. • Catalog finds and analyze the source and age of stones used as building materials. • Sort artifacts and note the location of the finds. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? from AU $2,895 COULD YOU BE THE NEXT JAMES MURPHY? S CIENTIST: Dr. Carolina Megale, Project Director, Archeodig LOCATION: Baratti and Populonia Archaeological Park, Piombino, Tuscany, Italy DURATION: 7 or 13 days FIELDING MONTHS: May, June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Modern apartments in Populonia Stazione, home-cooked Italian food The ancient seaside city of Populonia, on the coast of Tuscany, has a complex past. We still know little about the political, economic, architectural, and religious changes brought by the arrival of Romans in this part of the Tuscan coast. You’ll live the life of an archaeologist as you unearth artifacts and, where possible, rebuild original objects from the fragments you discover. You’ll be stationed at one of two research sites—the Roman villa in Poggio del Molino or the necropolis in San Cerbone. This is an unparalleled chance to experience Italy’s ancient past and preserve a historical landmark. S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 In 2001, James Murphy joined an Earthwatch expedition in the foothills of Argentina’s Andes Mountains—a place known as “Valley of the Moon” for its desolate, otherworldly appearance. The day started like any other. The team woke and traveled to the Ischigualasto Provincial Park to help scientists dig for dinosaur bones. Over the course of the day, however, Murphy began to unearth a near-complete skeleton of a small, two-legged dinosaur—about the size of a small dog. What he didn’t know at the time, and what scientists wouldn’t fully understand for years to come, was that Murphy had discovered an entirely new species of dinosaur—what may be the earliest known relative of Tyrannosaurus rex and all meat-eating dinosaurs. It was one of the most significant discoveries in dinosaur history. HOW WILL YOU SHARE YOUR EARTHWATCH STORY? As a 7th grade teacher at Hewitt-Trussville School outside of Birmingham, Alabama, Karon Decker was determined to make science come alive for her students. In May 2014, she and a fellow teacher joined an Earthwatch expedition in Thailand to investigate endangered elephants—a project they selected because of its focus on conservation science. “We were involved in data collection, behavioral observation, data analysis, and we learned from the researchers,” she said. It was just what Decker needed: the hands-on experience of doing research herself. Back in Alabama, Decker brought her newfound understanding of elephant conservation to the classroom. She asked each of her students to choose an endangered keystone species to adopt for the year. From genetics to natural selection to ecology, students apply their knowledge of a scientific subject to their chosen species. Decker has a great story from the field—a new teaching tool she can use to inspire the next generation to care a bit more about science than they did before. Scientists published the findings in the prestigious journal Science a decade after Murphy’s discovery, naming the new species the Eodromaeus murphi in honor of the Earthwatch volunteer who found it. S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 36 NORTH AMERICA NORTH AMERICA 37 1 2 Scientists leading our expeditions in Africa need your help to better understand the interactions between humans and wildlife in order to protect Africa’s iconic species—from chimpanzees in Uganda’s forest reserve to lions in the Kenyan savanna. S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 3 4 1. In a South African wildlife reserve, volunteers search for hyenas, jackals, and other animals. 2. Volunteers tag and observe African penguin pairs on South Africa’s Robben Island. 3. Volunteers search for top predators in the Kenyan savanna. 4. Researchers and volunteers measure and tag sharks in South Africa’s Walker Bay. FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU 38 AFRICA AFRICA 39 SPOTLIGHT ON DR. DAWN SCOTT ROYAL SOCIETY SOUTHEAST ASIA RAINFOREST RESEARCH PROGRAMME “No matter how unattractive they may seem to us, scavengers play an essential role in ecosystems. We need to value and protect all aspects of ecosystems to maintain their function for our own survival.” 35 34 Dr. Dawn Scott is passionate about humanwildlife conflict. For years, she and her colleagues have focused their research on scavenger species, such as hyenas and jackals. These animals have plummeted in number because of their bad—and, as Dawn would say, unfair—reputation as the “baddies of the bush.” With the help of Earthwatch volunteers, Scott’s team is raising awareness about the vital role that scavenger species play in balancing the ecosystem, and finding ways to mitigate the risks they face. WHAT CAN YOU DO? “ We hope volunteers take away an amazing and unique experience of Africa and, in the process of helping us, gain a greater understanding of the importance of scavengers and their ecology.” SOUTH AFRICA`S HYENAS 38 RESEARCH TASKS • Walk the reserve to look for hyenas, jackals, their dens, and other traces of wildlife. 32 • Check camera traps to see what animals have been captured on film. • Drive at night to spot and survey predators, such as lions and leopards. 36 IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? 33 39 SCIENTIST: Dr. Dawn Scott, Principal Lecturer in Ecology, University of Brighton LOCATION: Pilanesberg National Park & Mankwe Wildlife Reserve, North West Province, South Africa DURATION: 12 days FIELDING MONTHS: May, June, Oct., Nov. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Field station or a walk-in safari tent, chef prepared local cuisine AFRICA 37 AU $3,895 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 Animals of Malawi in the Majete Wildlife Reserve Conserving Leopards and Monkeys in South Africa Exploring Lions and their Prey in Kenya Investigating Threats to Chimps in Uganda South Africa’s Hyenas South African Penguins Coral Communities in the Seychelles NEW Discovering Sharks in South Africa S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 pg. 40 pg. 40 pg. 41 pg. 41 pg. 39 pg. 42 pg. 42 pg. 43 Scavengers such as hyenas and jackals play a vital role in the environment by maintaining the balance of ecosystems through their specialized feeding habits, but they can come into conflict with people. Fewer than 1,700 brown hyenas are left in South Africa, and the black-backed jackal is the most persecuted carnivore in the region. In South Africa’s Pilanesberg National Park, you’ll study carnivore populations in areas with different levels of protection and management to inform conservation strategies. FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU 40 AFRICA AFRICA 41 ANIMALS OF MALAWI IN THE MAJETE WILDLIFE RESERVE RESEARCH TASKS AU $3,995 RESEARCH TASKS • Roam the reserve to observe elephants, rhinos, lions, and antelope. S CIENTIST: Dr. Alison Leslie, Senior Lecturer, Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University • Visit local schools to participate in conservation education activities. LOCATION: Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi • Review camera trap photos to identify individual animals and sort according to species. DURATION: 12 Days FIELDING MONTHS: June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Furnished individual tents, home-cooked African fare Poaching and habitat destruction have reduced Malawi’s wildlife populations to near-extinction. Since 2003, the Malawian government began reintroducing iconic species such as the rhino, leopard, and hyena to the Majete Wildlife Reserve. As a member of one of the first research initiatives in the reserve, you’ll survey and observe these animals as you explore the park on foot during the day and by vehicle at night. Join this expedition to help make Majete a model wildlife reserve. CONSERVING LEOPARDS AND MONKEYS IN SOUTH AFRICA RESEARCH TASKS • Wake before dawn and follow baboons and monkeys until they sleep. • Traverse the wilderness to check camera traps for elusive nocturnal animals. EXPLORING LIONS AND THEIR PREY IN KENYA AU $4,295 S CIENTIST: Dr. Russell Hill, Professor, Department of Anthropology, Durham University LOCATION: Polokwane, South Africa • Spend mornings hiking to track leopards and hyenas. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? DURATION: 12 days FIELDING MONTHS: Jan., June, July, Sept., Dec. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Thatched roof huts at research station, local cuisine Conflict between humans and animals is growing across Africa as habitat becomes increasingly fragmented. In the Soutpansberg Mountains of South Africa, part of a rich biosphere reserve, you’ll help to mitigate the risk of conflict and shape conservation efforts by studying the ecology of leopards and monkeys and examining how they interact with humans. Pinpointing ways for humans and wildlife to coexist is essential for conserving the region’s species diversity and protecting local people’s livelihoods. S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 • Track six prides of lions using radio-collars, observe their behavior, and take photos for identifying individuals later. • Monitor camera traps to identify individual animals by their unique patterns. • Record lion prey abundance and behaviors for zebras, cattle, and other herbivores. AU $4,595 S CIENTIST: Dr. Jacob Goheen Professor, University of Wyoming LOCATION: Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya DURATION: 14 days FIELDING MONTHS: July, Aug., Sept. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Lodge or stone huts with thatched roofs, prepared buffet-style meals IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? Everyday life in the Kenyan savanna is a delicate balance between predators and prey. To preserve this balance, researchers at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy are studying the interactions between lions and herbivore species. You’ll monitor six prides of lions to learn about where and how they hunt, and what this means for the cattle grazing in the conservancy. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to witness how interconnected all species really are and be part of a strategy that could benefit predators, prey, and the people of Kenya who depend on tourism and livestock. INVESTIGATING THREATS TO CHIMPS IN UGANDA RESEARCH TASKS AU $3,295 • Track chimpanzees and blueand red-tailed monkeys as they look for food. S CIENTIST: Dr. Fred Babweteera, Regional Coordinator, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland Research and Conservation • Record trees species to help understand why many are no longer bearing fruit. LOCATION: Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda • Interview farmers to find out when and how often primates raid their crops. FIELDING MONTHS: Feb., Apr., June, July, Aug., Oct. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? DURATION: 12 days ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Single rooms in Budongo Forest, African fare In Uganda, the amount of fruit produced by forest trees is mysteriously declining. As a result, chimpanzees and other primates are raiding local subsistence farms. You’ll have a unique opportunity to study the chimps in the Budongo Forest Reserve, the largest remaining tropical rainforest in East Africa. By monitoring local trees, observing primates, and surveying pollinators such as bees and butterflies, you’ll help researchers understand the reason for the reduction in primate food and how primates and farmers can coexist in the reserve. FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU 42 AFRICA AFRICA 43 SOUTH AFRICAN PENGUINS RESEARCH TASKS AU $3,595 • Record nesting sites and select penguin pairs to be studied. SCIENTIST: Prof. Peter Barham, Professor of Physics, University of Bristol • Attach satellite tracking devices to penguins. LOCATION: Robben Island, Cape Town, South Africa • Help care for injured birds and oiled penguins. DURATION: 12 days IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? FIELDING MONTHS: Mar., Apr., May, June, July, Aug. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Comfortable island house, South African cuisine South Africa’s Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was once imprisoned, is a hotspot for many species of seabirds. African penguins once dominated this island, but human activities such as oil spills have had a disastrous impact on their populations. On this expedition, you’ll help a team of scientists monitor penguins and other seabirds on the island, surveying the populations and observing them on remote cameras. This project aims to understand why the penguin populations have declined so rapidly, and to develop well-informed strategies to increase their chances of survival. CALL FOR PRICING CORAL COMMUNITIES IN THE SEYCHELLES RESEARCH TASKS • Dive or snorkel to identify species of fish and observe reef health. • Analyze underwater video to see what species are swimming around the reefs. • Create educational materials to help researchers share their conservation plans. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? SCIENTIST: Prof. David Smith, Professor and Director of the Coral Reef Research Unit, University of Essex LOCATION: Curieuse Island, Seychelles SPOTLIGHT ON KATIE GLEDHILL RESEARCH SCIENTIST, SOUTH AFRICAN SHARK CONSERVANCY “My dream is to show people how awesome these animals are and inspire new shark lovers and advocates.” Katie Gledhill has always been fascinated by sharks. She has spent her life studying a variety of shark species from around the world, from giant tiger sharks to critically endangered smalltooth sawfish to her personal favorite—catsharks. Moments after they hatch, wriggling baby catsharks can fit in the palm of your hand. More than a quarter of shark and ray species around the world are now threatened with extinction. Gledhill is using a combination of science and education to help protect these important predators. “Nothing beats the exclamation of sheer joy people make when they have a memorable shark encounter. These moments can shift one’s attitude toward sharks.” DISCOVERING SHARKS IN SOUTH AFRICA RESEARCH TASKS • Fish for sharks with a rod and reel from the shore or from a boat. • Measure and tag sharks, take a small fin sample, and release them back into the wild. FIELDING MONTHS: Apr. • Set and collect underwater remote video cameras to determine species diversity in Walker Bay. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? DURATION: 12 days Beachfront guesthouse, cook prepared Seychellois cuisine Tropical coral reefs are some of the most species-rich environments in the world. Off the shores of the Seychelles Islands, you’ll scuba dive and snorkel alongside researchers as you explore the undersea landscape and collect data. You’ll record underwater video, use high-tech instruments to investigate how corals absorb and use light, and survey the reef for fish. Most importantly, you’ll work on materials to provide the Seychelles government and local communities with the information they need to combat the threats to coral reefs. S TART S TART YOURYOUR JOURNE JOURNE Y TODAY! Y TODAY! CALLCALL: TOLL-FREE + 61 3 1.800.776.0188 9016 7590 AU $2,995 SCIENTIST: Katie Gledhill, Shark Research Program Manager, South African Shark Conservancy LOCATION: Walker Bay, South Africa DURATION: 7 days FIELDING MONTHS: Feb., June ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Private house in Hermanus, Western and South African fare Be among the first in South Africa’s Walker Bay to research shysharks, catsharks, pyjama sharks, and other shark species—some of the world’s least-known ocean dwellers. To better protect these sharks, scientists urgently need to understand the diversity of species and how they are distributed throughout the bay. You’ll get up close and personal with the sharks as you measure them, photograph them, take tissue samples for genetic analysis, and tag them. With your help, researchers can determine which particular habitats and areas need year-round protected status. FOR FORMORE MOREDEDE TAILS TAILSVISIT VISITE ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU E ARTHWATCH.ORG 44 44 NORTH AMERICA 45 NORTH AMERICA 45 1 2 From deep within the Malaysian rainforest to the crystal clear waters off the coast of Australia, critical research support is needed to preserve some of the world’s unique wildlife, ecosystems, and human history. That’s where you come in. S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 3 4 1. Volunteers look for evidence of black band disease and tag affected corals along the Great Barrier Reef. 2. In India’s Kullu Valley, volunteer assesses species diversity by recording trees, shrubs, and herbs. 3. Volunteers take the time to relax in the pristine waters of Australia’s Daintree Rainforest. 4. Volunteers search for the nests of vultures and kestrels in the Mongolian Steppe. FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU ASIA 47 SPOTLIGHT ON DR. GANA WINGARD 40 43 DENVER ZOO MONGOLIA PROGRAM DIRECTOR 41 “Nature Reserves in Mongolia typically receive little to no management and often suffer from local poachers, who may not be aware the protected area exists.” 42 As a child, Gana Wingard traveled to the Mongolian Steppe each summer to visit her grandparents. It was an opportunity for her to connect with nature and interact with a variety of animals, including horses, sheep, goats, marmots, and beautiful birds and reptiles. Her grandfather, a Buddhist monk, used the time to teach her the importance of protecting nature and coexisting with other wildlife. He advised her not to pull flowers, hurt animals, or spill anything in the river. By leaving the ecosystem unaltered, she could better protect it, he explained. These early experiences inspired Wingard to spend her life conserving the very land her grandfather cared so much about. With the help of Earthwatch volunteers, she is now exploring the lives of grassland animals to help protect their wilderness home. WILDLIFE OF THE MONGOLIAN STEPPE RESEARCH TASKS • Collect radio-telemetry data and attach radio-tracking devices to wildlife. 45 47 46 ASIA 40 41 Wildlife of the Mongolian Steppe Butterflies and Bees in the Indian Himalayas pg. 47 pg. 48 42 Climate and Landscape Change in Borneo’s Rainforests pg. 48 43 Archaeology of the Mongolian Steppe pg. 49 AUSTRAILA 48 Conserving Koala Country Wildlife of Australia’s Rainforest Project Manta Recovery of the Great Barrier Reef pg. 49 pg. 50 pg. 50 pg. 51 48 NEW Snorkel for Queensland’s Marine Mammals pg. 51 49 Melbourne’s Microbats pg. 52 50 Turtles on the Move pg. 53 S TART S TART YOUR YOUR JOURNE JOURNE Y TODAY! Y TODAY! CALLCALL: TOLL-FREE + 61 3 1.800.776.0188 9016 7590 SCIENTIST: Ganchimeg (Gana) Wingard, Denver Zoo Mongolia Program Director LOCATION: Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, Dornogobi Aimag, Mongolia DURATION: 14 days • Record the GPS coordinates of nests of vultures and kestrels. Aug., Sept. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: FIELDING MONTHS: May, June, Guesthouse & Mongolian yurts, traditional Mongolian fare 44 44 45 46 47 • Safely capture and release argali sheep and Siberian ibex to collect data. AU $3,795 49 50 Inside the Ikh Nart Nature Reserve in Mongolia, grassland animals such as the hedgehog, the argali sheep, and the Siberian ibex face threats from poaching, illegal mining, and overgrazing. Join researchers to explore the lives of these animals to help conserve their habitat. Results from this research are being used to develop improved conservation management policies in the reserve. FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU 48 ASIA AUSTRALIA 49 BUTTERFLIES AND BEES IN THE INDIAN HIMALAYAS RESEARCH TASKS AU $3,995 • Walk through apple orchards to identify and survey different pollinating species. S CIENTIST: Dr. P.P. Dhyani, Director, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Himalayan and Environment Development • Create a schedule of peak pollinating times by tracking trees and plants. LOCATION: Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India • Collect plant and soil samples at different field sites for laboratory analysis. FIELDING MONTHS: Apr., Aug., Oct. DURATION: 12 days ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Hotel with views of the Himalayas, local vegetarian cuisine IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? India’s Kullu Valley is famous for its apple orchards and farms. But flowering plants are disappearing, and the number of pollinators such as bees and butterflies is dropping. As a result, crops are suffering, threatening the region’s agricultural tradition and its financial stability. On this expedition, you’ll work outdoors, surrounded by the Himalayas, collecting vital data about plants, butterflies, and bees. Your findings will help to shape policies for agricultural management in the Indian Himalayan region. CLIMATE AND LANDSCAPE CHANGE IN BORNEO’S RAINFOREST RESEARCH TASKS AU $3,095 • Hunt for tree seedlings, measure them, and help track their growth. S CIENTIST: Dr. Glen Reynolds, Royal Society SE Asia Rainforest Research Programme • Catalog what lives in these diverse forests by gathering specimens. LOCATION: Danum Valley, Malaysia • Collect rainfall, temperature, and soil erosion data. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? DURATION: 10 days FIELDING MONTHS: Apr., Aug, Sept., Oct. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Comfortable rooms in the rainforest, local Malaysian fare The tropical rainforests of Borneo are home to thousands of plant species, countless insects, a vast array of birds, and some of the world’s iconic and most endangered mammals: the orangutan, Sumatran rhino, clouded leopard, and pygmy elephant. You’ll trek into the heart of the rainforest to determine how key plant and animal groups have been impacted by logging and climate change. This information is critical to providing a strong scientific foundation for the restoration of Borneo’s remaining forests. S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE MONGOLIAN STEPPE RESEARCH TASKS • Search for archaeological features and discover new excavation sites. • Hone your powers of observation as you draw, map, and photograph sites. • E xcavate artifacts with a shovel or trowel and record finds. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? AU $3,595 S CIENTIST: Dr. Joan Schneider, Associate State Archaeologist, California Department of Parks and Recreation LOCATION: Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, Dornogobi Aimag, Mongolia DURATION: 14 days FIELDING MONTHS: May, June ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Guesthouse & Mongolian yurts, traditional Mongolian fare The Ikh Nart Nature Reserve in Mongolia is a magnificent region of semiarid grasslands and rocky outcrops. You’ll survey the landscape for significant archaeological and cultural artifacts, such as burial cairns, steles, and other commemorative monuments or markers such as the remains of campsites and rudimentary structures, and rock art. This is your opportunity to help design an ongoing archaeological investigation in the remote and beautiful Mongolian steppe. CONSERVING KOALA COUNTRY RESEARCH TASKS • Hike through koala country and observe koalas and their young in the wild. • Set up and maintain camera traps and observe wildlife out and about in the forest. • Survey and record koala habitat details, such as vegetation, and other animals spotted. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? AU $3,195 S CIENTIST: Dr. Desley Whisson, Lecturer in Wildlife and Conservation Biology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University LOCATION: Great Otway National Park, Victoria, Australia DURATION: 10 Days FIELDING MONTHS: Feb., Sept., Nov. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Full-service holiday camp, team collaborative cooking The koala is under threat from rising temperatures, decreasing rainfall, and the likelihood that bushfires will become more frequent. In the Great Otway National Park, you’ll monitor and research koalas, helping scientists to capture them and assess their habitats. The information you collect will contribute to a better understanding of the potential impact of climate change on koalas and their habitat, which will pave the way toward conservation solutions. FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU 50 AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA 51 WILDLIFE OF AUSTRALIA’S RAINFORESTS RESEARCH TASKS • Hike and record measurements and behavior of birds and lizards. • Measure the diameter of trees and the density of the rainforest canopy. • At night, catch and survey nocturnal animals, including frogs, bats, and mammals. from AU $2,195 S CIENTIST: Prof. Stephen Williams, Director of the Centre for Tropical Biodiversity and Climate Change, James Cook University LOCATION: Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, North Queensland, Australia DURATION: 7–15 days IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? FIELDING MONTHS: Feb., May, Oct. RECOVERY OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF RESEARCH TASKS • Dive daily to map coral in designated research plots. S CIENTIST: Dr. David Bourne, Research Scientist, Australian Institute of Marine Science • Record, tag, and photograph corals with black band disease. LOCATION: Orpheus Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia • Monitor the response of diseased coral to environmental factors in a lab setting. DURATION: 8 days FIELDING MONTHS: Apr., Sept. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Two-story house on island, local Australian fare & barbecues IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Cabins & individual tents in rainforest, team collaborative cooking Sixty percent of rainforest species could become endangered or critically endangered during the course of this century. Join researchers in the wet tropics of northern Queensland to study the last remaining part of the forest that once dominated half of Australia. This lush landscape is home to species of parrots, pythons, and tree kangaroos, many of which exist solely in this region. You’ll explore tropical mountains as you investigate changes in the climate and landscape and what they mean for the future of species in the area. AU $2,995 PROJECT MANTA RESEARCH TASKS • Swim under manta rays to take photos of the unique spot patterns on their underbellies. • Take water and plankton samples to measure ocean health. S CIENTIST: Dr. Kathy Townsend, Education Officer and Lecturer, University of Queensland LOCATION: Lady Elliot Island, Queensland, Australia • Photo-identify individual manta rays. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? DURATION: 8 days FIELDING MONTHS: Feb., June, Sept. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Permanent tents on island, delicious, plentiful food The manta ray is the world’s largest ray, yet little is known about its biology, ecology, or population size. Recent demand in eastern Asia for manta ray products, such as fins and gills, poses an immediate threat to the species and has caused significant population declines. At the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll photograph and film manta rays, study their feeding habits, and help to sample and analyze plankton. The information you gather will help government agencies, conservation groups, and commercial tour operators to protect these species and promote sustainable ecotourism as an alternative to fishing. S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 AU $2,995 Over the past few decades, the poorly understood “black band disease” has destroyed parts of the Great Barrier Reef. The disease continues to threaten not only the remaining coral but other coral reefs in the Pacific and Caribbean oceans. Working at a variety of dive sites, you’ll conduct underwater surveys—tagging and photographing diseased coral. Your work will help researchers assess how the reef is recovering from recent cyclones, and the impact of light, temperature, and water quality on the progression of black band disease. SNORKEL FOR QUEENSLAND’S MARINE MAMMALS RESEARCH TASKS • Snorkel to monitor and collect samples of seagrass. • Study the composition of sediment samples taken by boat. • Survey intertidal or shallow subtidal areas to identify small vertebrates and fish. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? AU $2,995 S CIENTIST: Dr. James Udy, Chief Scientist at Healthy Waterways LOCATION: Moreton Bay, Australia DURATION: 7 days FIELDING MONTHS: Mar., Aug. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Beachfront resort or field station, good hearty local fare Increased tourism in Australia’s Moreton Bay combined with coastal development, pollution, and freight traffic pose a threat to the flora and fauna that inhabit the waters. By snorkeling, boating, and wading in the pristine waters, you’ll study the health of seagrass and macroinvertebrates, which are key food sources for larger animals, such as fish, dugongs, and dolphins. The information you collect will help to create a health report card for the Bay that can be used by policymakers to develop management strategies to protect this vital marine ecosystem. FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU 52 AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA 53 ONE DAY EXPEDITIONS MELBOURNE’S MICROBATS RESEARCH TASKS WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT THEM? • Family Teams available; Children welcome accompanied by an adult. *See expeditions for details. • Short commitment time. • Get a feel for an Earthwatch adventure. • Great for Students; Receive a letter of participation to add to your Curriculum Vitae. • Learn interesting facts about your local environment. • Gain hands on experience. “I thoroughly enjoyed everything, catching bats was amazing and something I’ll cherish forever. It was great learning how to use all the different traps and bat detectors” VOLUNTEER ON MELBOURNE’S MICROBATS TURTLES ON THE MOVE RESEARCH TASKS • Set fyke net traps in wetlands • Participate in dip-netting to analysis what food exists in the habitat. • Tag and process turtles captured, before releasing them. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? AU $95 S CIENTIST: Dr. Andrew Hamer, Ecologist, Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne LOCATION: Wetlands around Melbourne, Australia. Meeting point University of Melbourne DURATION: 1 day FIELDING MONTHS: Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb., March. *Children aged 13 years and older welcome, accompanied by a guardian. ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: No accomodation. Simple lunch provided. Very little is known about Melbourne’s freshwater turltes, particularly the impact that the growing city is having on their health. As turtles are among the top predators in the food chain, a healthy turtle populations points towards a healthy ecosystem. However, globally freshwater turtles are in decline. On this one day expedition, you will wade through the city’s freshwater lakes and creeks to capture turtles, assess their health and review the condition of their habitat. S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 • Set harp traps in the Royal Botanic Gardens • Collect bats and return to lab for analysis and banding. • Collect data on bat’s food supply and habitat conditions. IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? AU $95 S CIENTIST: Prof. Rodney Van Der Ree, Deputy Director, Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne LOCATION: Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG), Melbourne, Australia DURATION: Overnight. FIELDING MONTHS: Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb ACCOMMODATIONS & FOOD: Sleeping *Children aged 10 years and older welcome, accompanied by a guardian. on stretcher beds in accomodation at the RBG. Light snacks and breakfast included. Urbanisation is becoming a major threat to sustainable microbats populations. Scientists from the Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology are studying the long-term viability of microbats living in and around Melbourne. Join the scientists during this overnight expedition, staying in the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens, to help collect valuable data on the distribution, abundance and habitat requirements of Melbourne’s tinniest residents. RESEARCH FINDINGS DR. RODNEY VAN DER REE MELBOURNE’S MICROBATS • • • • • The bats use bridges and culverts to cross the road! Evidence was found suggesting bats modify their roosting behaviour in urban environments. Bats display a preference for foraging in areas with relatively high levels of tree cover and in close proximity to water. Wetlands have been found to be important in urban areas (for foraging insects and drinking). However, heavy metal pollution in water (e.g. run off from streets) has been found to negatively affect bat species diverstity. Artificial light in urban areas has been found to be a disadvantage to many bat species; but advantageous to two bat species. SUCCESS NUMEROURS LOCAL COUNCILS AND LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCIES IN AND AROUND MELBOURNE HAVE ADOPTED MANY OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WE HAVE MADE ABOUT HOW TO MANAGE AND PRUNE TREES TO PROTECT MICROBAT HABITAT. FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU NORTH AMERICA—Research Expeditions and Sites 1 NEW Tracking Fire and Wolves through the Canadian Rockies 2 Loons and the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill 3 Whales and Dolphins Under the California Sun 4 Climate Change at the Arctic’s Edge 5 Climate Change in the MacKenzie Mountains 6 NEW Climate Change: Sea to Trees at Acadia National Park 8 NEW Exploring Rising Tides in South Carolina 9 NEW Saving Joshua Tree’s Desert Species 10 Encountering the Prehistoric People of New Mexico 11 Uncovering the Mysteries of Ancient Colorado Country Canada USA USA Canada Canada USA USA USA USA USA Scientist Dr. Cristina Eisenberg Dr. Jim Paruk Dr. Lei Lani Stelle Dr. LeeAnn Fishback Dr. Steven Mamet Dr. Abraham Miller-Rushing Dr. Alex Chow Dr. Cameron Barrows Dr. Anastasia Steffen Dr. Susan Ryan Also for Page 14 TEENS TEENS 14 15 web 16 15W 16 17 17 Duration 7 or 13 days 7 or 14 days 7 or 14 days 11 days 11 days 7 days 7 days 7 or 14 days 11 days 7 or 14 days CENTRAL AMERICA—Research Expeditions and Sites 12 Exploring an Active Volcano in Nicaragua 13 Tracking Costa Rica’s Mammals 14 Costa Rican Sea Turtles 15 Safeguarding Whales and Dolphins in Costa Rica 16 Shark Conservation in Belize 17 Climate Change and Caterpillars in Costa Rica Nicaragua Costa Rica Costa Rica Costa Rica Belize Costa Rica Prof. Hazel Rymer Margot Wood Dr. Frank Paladino Dr. Lenin Oviedo Correa Dr. Demian Chapman Dr. Lee Dyer 21 22 22 23 23 24 7 or 14 days 10 days 9 days 9 days 8 days 9 days SOUTH AMERICA—Research Expeditions and Sites 18 Amazon Riverboat Exploration 19 Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 20 NEW Trailing Penguins in Patagonia Peru Ecuador Argentina Dr. Richard Bodmer Dr. Luis Fernando De Leon Dr. Flavio Quintana 24 25 25 8 or 15 days 10 days 7 days ü ü THE CARIBBEAN—Research Expeditions and Sites 21 Puerto Rico’s Rainforest 22 NEW Helping Endangered Corals in Little Cayman 23 Investigating Reefs and Marine Wildlife in The Bahamas 24 Tracking Sea Turtles in The Bahamas Puerto Rico Cayman Islands Bahamas Bahamas Thrity “3t” Vakil Dr. Kristi Foster Dr. Annabelle Brooks Dr. Annabelle Brooks 26 26 27 27 10 days 7 days 9-10 days 9 days ü EUROPE—Research Expeditions and Sites 25 Tracking Beavers through German Waters 26 NEW Tracking Dolphins in the Adriatic Sea 28 Wildlife in the Changing French Pyrenees 29 Excavating the Roman Empire in Britain 30 NEW Rediscovering the Canary Islands 31 Unearthing Ancient History in Tuscany Germany Slovenia France United Kingdom Spain Italy Dr. William Megill Tilen Genov Dr. Bernat Claramunt Lopez Dr Paul Bidwell Dr. Christopher Stevenson Dr. Carolina Megale 32 32 web 33 34 34 7 or 13 days 10 days 7-9 days 3–14 days 12 days 7 or 13 days Malawi South Africa Kenya Uganda South Africa South Africa Seychelles South Africa Dr. Alison Leslie Dr. Russell Hill Dr. Jacob Goheen Dr. Fred Babweteera Dr. Dawn Scott Prof. Peter Barham Prof. David Smith Katie Gledhill 40 40 41 41 39 42 42 43 12 days 12 days 14 days 12 days 12 days 12 days 12 days 7 days ASIA—Research Expeditions and Sites 40 Wildlife of the Mongolian Steppe 41 Butterflies and Bees in the Indian Himalayas 42 Climate and Landscape Change in Borneo’s Rainforests 43 Archaeology of the Mongolian Steppe Mongolia India Malaysia Mongolia Gana Wingard Dr. P.P. Dhyani Dr. Glen Reynolds Dr. Joan Schneider 47 48 48 49 14 days 12 days 10 days 14 days AUSTRAILA—Research Expeditions and Sites 44 Conserving Koala Country 45 Wildlife of Australia’s Rainforest 46 Project Manta 47 Recovery of the Great Barrier Reef 48 NEW Snorkel for Queensland’s Marine Mammals Australia Australia Australia Australia Australia Dr. Desley Whisson Prof. Stephen Williams Dr. Kathy Townsend Dr. David Bourne Dr. James Udy TEENS 49 50 50 51 51 10 days 7 or 15 days 8 days 8 days 7 days 49 Melbourne’s Microbats Australia Dr. Rodney Van Der Ree FAMILY 52 overnight ü ü 50 Turtles on the Move Australia Dr. Andrew Hamer FAMILY 53 1 day ü ü AFRICA—Research Expeditions and Sites 32 Animals of Malawi in the Majete Wildlife Reserve 33 Conserving Leopards and Monkeys in South Africa 34 Exploring Lions and their Prey in Kenya 35 Investigating Threats to Chimps in Uganda 36 South Africa’s Hyenas 37 South African Penguins 38 Coral Communities in the Seychelles 39 NEW Discovering Sharks in South Africa 13 TEENS TEENS TEENS TEENS TEENS TEENS TEENS TEENS TEENS TEENS TEENS TEENS Jan. Feb. Mar. ü ü Apr. May ü Jun. Jul. ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü Sep. ü ü ü ü ü Oct. ü Dec. ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü $3,495 $3,595 $3,895 $3,095 $3,595 $3,195 $3,295 $2,795 $3,595 call $2,195 $3,895 $2,985 $3,995 $4,295 $4,595 $3,295 $3,895 $3,595 $3,795 $3,995 $3,095 $3,595 ü ü ü ü ü ü ü $3,195 $2,195 $2,995 $2,995 $2,995 ü ü ü ü ü ü ü $2,995 $3,295 $3,295 $2,995 $3,395 $3,595 $2,995 ü ü ü ü FROM $2,995 $2,995 $3,695 $2,995 $4,295 $3,895 $2,995 $2,795 $3,395 $2,695 call ü ü ü Expedition contributions, dates, durations, and scientists are subject to change. Teen Teams have an additional cost. Numbers 7 & 27 are one-day International expeditions not sold from Australia. For the most up to date information please refer to the website. S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 Nov. ü ü ü ü Aug. ü FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU ü ü $95 ü ü $95 56 FAQs CONTACT US FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONTACT US If you have any questions about Earthwatch or any of the expeditions, please contact us. Our knowledgeable staff is here to assist you. +61 3 9016 7590 [email protected] VISIT US ONLINE AT EARTHWATCH.ORG.AU More than 50 expeditions all over the world, at your fingertips online. Head to earthwatch.org.au to book an expedition, interact with other volunteers, and learn how you can change the planet. WHO WILL I BE WITH ON MY EXPEDITION? HOW LONG WILL I BE THERE? Earthwatch is a diverse community of volunteers all committed to scientific research and an extraordinary life experience. Whether traveling alone, as a couple, or with friends, you’ll join other volunteers in the field ranging from ages 15 to 95. If you are a teenager, you can join one of our teen exclusive expeditions or go on one of our adult expeditions accompanied by a parent or guardian. If you book a customized group expedition, you’ll be with your community, high school, or business peers. If you are a teacher or student, you can bring your whole classroom into the field or apply for teacher / student fellowships. No matter how you come to Earthwatch, you’ll join other like-minded participants committed to science research, sustainability and unique travel experiences. Typical Earthwatch Expeditions run for 7–14 days, which offer volunteers the time to truly invest in field research and experience a transformative journey. We also offer shorter and customizable expeditions that can be as short as one day or a weekend. WHERE WILL I SLEEP AND EAT? All Earthwatch expeditions offer safe and comfortable accommodations near your research site with common dining rooms and living areas. Depending on your expedition location, you’ll sleep near stunning protected forests, the quiet of desert expanses, or the lull of tropical oceans. Each of our expeditions provide a wonderful opportunity to experience local cuisine from American staples, like grits and barbecue, to Caribbean fresh and local fare. HOW PHYSICALLY ACTIVE ARE EXPEDITIONS? Earthwatch expeditions are physically exhilarating, intellectually stimulating, and emotionally moving experiences that may influence and change your life forever. On the physical side, we have a range of options— from suitable for every fitness level, to more rigorous. The icons listed on page 8 are meant to assist you in choosing an expedition that’s right for you. Please call us so we can help too! S TART YOUR JOURNE Y TODAY! CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 HOW IS EARTHWATCH COMMITTED TO MY SAFETY? Although risk is an inherent part of the environments in which we work, we believe that through careful risk management all participants can have a rewarding, educational and inspirational Earthwatch experience. Every Earthwatch expedition is subjected to a rigorous safety process by our international program team, and project staff are trained in appropriate emergency response procedures and field safety standards. JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Stay in touch with Earthwatch through social media. Join our conversation and keep your finger on the pulse of Earthwatch’s work to protect our shared planet. FACEBOOK: facebook.com/earthwatchaustralia TWITTER: twitter.com/earthwatch_aus INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/earthwatch_aus For details on Earthwatch’s safety policy, visit earthwatch. org/safety-policy FOR MORE DE TAILS VISIT E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU GIFT IT! If you have a passion about Earthwatch’s research expeditions, why not spread that love and GIFT IT to a friend or family. Earthwatch Australia has created gift cards which you can purchase to either contribute towards a future expedition ‘Expedition Gift Voucher’ or just to contribute to the cause ‘Conservation Gift Card’. CONSERVATION GIFT CARD EXPEDITION GIFT VOUCHER SEND YOUR FAMILY OR FRIENDS ON AN EARTHWATCH EXPEDITION TO MAKE THAT SPECIAL OCCASION EVEN MORE SPECIAL! PURCHASE A GIFT THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE FOR OUR PLANET! Contribute any amount towards any expedition for that special someone! No decision making necessary - let them decide within 2 years. Purchase a conservation gift card and make your special someone an Earthwatch Member and Alumni. They will receive an Email newsletter once a month on special events and receive ‘Unearth’ our quarterly newsletter. HOW 1. Call Earthwatch on 03 9016 7590 and purchase today. 2. Earthwatch will post a voucher in the mail or send an electronic format 3. Present the voucher to your friend. There will be a 2 year expiry date within which a decision must be made. Not tax deductible HOW 1. Call Earthwatch on 03 9016 7590 and purchase today. 2. Earthwatch will post a voucher in the mail or send an electronic format 3. Present the gift card to your friend. Tax deductible YOUR CONTRIBUTION WILL: • • • SUPPORT TOP SCIENTISTS AND DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS IN THE FIELD GATHERING EVIDENCE ON OUR ENVIRONMENT. PRODUCE VITAL RESEARCH OUTCOMES AND PUBLICATIONS THAT INDLUENCE GLOBAL AGENDAS. PROVIDE PRACTICAL LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR EDUCATORS AND NEW GENERATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS. CALL: + 61 3 9016 7590 | E ARTHWATCH.ORG.AU
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