Join Life Net Nature’s long-term avian monitoring and conservation
project in the Andes of western Ecuador, December 6-19, 2016. We have
openings for 8 volunteers on this year's team.
Life Net banding
assistants help with mist-netting of birds at several banding stations
and do bird surveys in the Las Tangaras Reserve, Mindo, Ecuador. Our
goal is to advance scientific understanding of cloud forest avian
communities, including species responses to deforestation, grazing, and
climate change over time.
Reserva Las Tangaras boasts more than
25 species of hummingbird, one of the largest regional cock-of-the-rock
display leks, and great numbers of Choco and Andean endemic bird
species. Volunteers help set up and monitor mist nets, extract birds
from nets, carry birds from nets to a banding station, and record basic
ecological data. A cost-share donation of $1650 covers your
transportation in Ecuador, meals, lodging during the conservation
research program, reserve fees, salaries for Ecuadorian cooks and
para-biologists (airfare to and from Ecuador is not included nor are
hotel nights in Quito). The donation balance is used to cover
stewardship costs related to operating the Las Tangaras Reserve as a
cloud forest protected area for Choco wildlife.
The conservation expedition begins and ends in Quito.
Compensation:
Training in handling, measuring and banding is offered to those
interested in developing that skill set, but is not required. Volunteers
will also have some afternoons free to explore and/or bird the Mindo
area. Accommodation is in the loft of a large research cabin with indoor
flush toilet, hot shower, and mosquito nets.
Duration: December 6-19, 2016
To Apply: Contact Dr. Dusti Becker at dbecker@lifenetnature.org
for further details. Experience with mist-netting is desirable, but not
required. Students, recent graduates and others looking for hands-on
training and resume building experience will benefit greatly from this
project. To apply send a brief e-letter of interest to Dr. Dusti Becker,
dbecker@lifenetnature.org. (Resume is optional).