- Agency
- Life Net Nature
- Location
- Mindo, Ecuador - Reserva las Tangaras
- Job Category
- Volunteer Openings
- Salary
- Cost-share donation $1850
- Last Date to Apply
- 06/01/2023
- Website
- https://lifenetnature.org
- Description
- Ecuador Andes Bird Banding Training and Field Experience for Cost-share Volunteers Learn or improve bird banding and monitoring skills in the tropical mountains of western Ecuador. Help advance science about tropical montane forest bird communities, including community and species-level responses to deforestation, forest recovery, forest fragmentation, and landscape and climate changes. Your participation also contributes to sustaining an important protected area in the mega-diverse Choco Endemic Bird Area (EBA). Volunteer/trainees assist Dr. Dusti Becker with long-term avian monitoring and conservation in the Andes at the beautiful forest protected area, Reserva las Tangaras. Team 1: August 6-19, 2023. (6 positions remaining) Team 2: December 4–17, 2023 (8 positions available) The December team includes the Mindo Christmas Bird Count, while both teams include birding around Mindo and at the famed Bellavista Reserve. WHERE: Reserva Las Tangaras, a 51-hectare nature preserve, boasts more than 30 species of hummingbirds, dozens of colorful tanagers, the largest regional Andean cock-of-the-rock display lek, and over 300 tropical bird species, many of which are Choco and Andean endemics. Our teams typically detect ~175 different species of birds on the reserve during the expedition, and more species while travelling to and from the research area. The reserve is also home to endangered capuchin monkeys, spectacled bears, cougars, and myriads of other wildlife species, including several rare and endangered rain frogs. WHAT: Volunteers are trained (or refreshed on) setting up and monitoring mist nets, extracting birds from nets, carrying birds from nets to banding stations, and recording ornithological and ecological data in the field. The site is rugged, so volunteers must be above average in fitness, able to hike on steep, potentially muddy and slippery terrain, and cover 2-4 miles on foot per day. Back or joint impairments, or obesity may make the project too challenging for some folks. Volunteers will have time to explore the Mindo area, and the team birds higher-elevation Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve on the last day before returing to Quito. The December team participates on the Mindo Christmas Bird Count (CBC), which typically wins first or second place globally for bird species counted. FOOD & LODGING: Accommodation is in a spacious research cabin, where each participant has a single bed mattress with mosquito netting, a fitted bottom sheet, and pillow. Indoor shower with hot water and flush toilet create comfortable accommodations. Volunteers bring their own towel(s) and sleeping bag or warm covers. Meals are delicious, home-style Ecuadorian, prepared by excellent cooks. Vegetarian and vegan options can be accommodated. COST: A cost-share donation of $1850 covers transportation in Ecuador, meals, lodging, reserve fees, salaries for two Ecuadorian cooks and two para-biologists, leader's costs, and a special lunch at the Bellavista Reserve. Airfare to and from Ecuador and expenses in Quito before and after the expedition are not included. Cost-share donations are help with the stewardship of Reserva las Tangaras, supporting educational programs, outreach materials about cloud forest wildlife, maintenance of trails and signs, cabin repairs, and feeding of resident hummingbirds. They provide around 25% of the annual funding required to sustain this unique and important tropical protected area in the Ecuadorian Andes. Around 75% of the donation is consumed by costs to operate the 2-week field expedition: providing the team with food, shelter, training and transportation, as well as purchasing new project equipment and supplies. EXPEDITION MEETS AND ENDS IN QUITO, ECUADOR. Contact Dr. Dusti Becker, dustibecker@lifenetnature.org, for further details and to obtain a Life Net Nature application form. QUALIFICATIONS: Experience with banding and mist-netting is desirable, but not required. Students and recent graduates will benefit from this great resume building experience. Professionals and retirees in field biology, will enjoy the "adult summer camp" experience and will be much appreciated for their mentoring and sharing. All participants have the option of using the project database for research publications, undergraduate projects, or graduate degrees. Visit https://lastangaras.wordpress.com/who-are-we/for more details about Life Net Nature and Reserva Las Tangaras. TO APPLY: Email a brief cover letter detailing your experience and interest in participating on the team to Dr. Dusti Becker, dustibecker@lifenetnature.org. (Resume is optional, and helpful). Dr. Becker will send you more information and an official Life Net Nature volunteer application form.
- Qualifications
- Qualifications: Experience with banding and mist-netting is desirable, but not required. Students and recent graduates will benefit from this great resume building experience. Professionals and retirees in field biology, will enjoy the "adult summer camp" experience and will be much appreciated for their mentoring and sharing. All participants also have the option of using the project database for research publications, undergraduate projects, or graduate degrees. Visit https://lastangaras.wordpress.com/who-are-we/for more details about Life Net Nature and Reserva Las Tangaras. To apply, email a brief cover e-letter detailing your experience and interest in participating on the team to Dr. Dusti Becker, dustibecker@lifenetnature.org. (Resume is optional, and helpful). Dr. Becker will send you more information and an official Life Net Nature volunteer application form.
- Contact Person
- Dr. Dusti Becker
