Earthwatch staff member Diane Troppoli went on Puerto Rico's Rainforest
two years ago. Together with fellow staff members Alison Whelan and
Malene Christensen, we held a teleconference for people interested in
the project. The following is a transcript of that session.
Puerto Rico's Rainforest
Other teleconference Q&A's
Q: Tell us what you loved about this expedition.
A: I went on this expedition two years ago, and I don't think too much has changed. The PI's awesome, and it's absolutely amazing to be in the rainforest. When you're sleeping at night, you can hear the coqui and all the sounds of the forest. You're just immersed in the jungle, and it's incredible.
Q: Did you read any books about Puerto Rico or the rainforest before the expedition?
A: In the briefing, there's a list of recommended reading, but I read The Tropical Nature, by Adrian Forsythe. There are very distinct chapters, so you can read just a few chapters and understand each one independently. I liked this book because when you're in the rainforest, there's so much to do and see, and you'll miss a lot if you don't know what to look for. I also liked it because you can get a good sense of the ecosystem, and it wasn't boring at all!
Q: What did you bring that you were most happy about?
A: A comfortable raincoat. You'll see a lot of nice weather in Puerto Rico, but there's always a chance of rain, so you'll need to bring one. Make sure it's comfortable, breathable, and lightweight. You can find waterproof baseball caps and other types of hats at outdoors stores, and they're really handy for when you don't want to wear a hood.
Q: Do you have any other tips for clothing?
A: There is the potential for muddiness on this expedition, so bring clothing that you won't mind getting dirty. I brought pants with paint stains, and they were fine. I recommend long-sleeved shirts and long pants: even though there isn't as much sun under the canopy, there are prickly things in the jungle that you don't want to brush against. The average temperature is about 73 degrees, but the humidity can get high, so bring lightweight clothing that dries quickly. Bring tons of socks, whatever kind you're most comfortable with; nobody likes putting on wet socks. You need shoes with good ankle support for hiking the slopes, and thick gloves: once again, prickly things in the jungle that you don't want to grab for bare-handed.
Q: Can I do my laundry there?
A: You can always hand-wash your items, and there is a covered area to hang-dry them. You should bring a few pairs of clothes to use as field clothes, and then other clothes to lounge around the camp.
Q: What is the maximum number of people for this team?
A: The maximum number of participants on this team is 12.
Q: What projects will we be working on?
A: There are two projects on this expedition. The first is the tree study, where you document the size of tagged trees as a group. You'll record the height, girth, and canopy width of the trees. This work is physically demanding in the sense that you may have to crawl up or slide down the slopes to measure the trees. You have to have a willingness to get into the earth and deal with the ruggedness of the tasks.
The second project is the frog study. Two nights of the expedition, you'll crawl along transects looking for frogs. You'll be taught how to identify types and gender of frogs. You'll start the day later than usual, do some tree work, take the afternoon off, then go out looking for frogs around 7 P.M., and you're usually back around 10 P.M. It was fascinating because not a lot of people can walk around the jungle at night! I felt totally safe, because the field staff was everywhere, so you're not alone. Some people had trouble finding the frogs, but once you know what to look for and how to look for it, you'll realize that they're everywhere!
Q: Will we have adequate preparation for the tasks?
A: We went out on the tree study the first day we got there. We tried all the different tools and practiced measuring, it was very hands-on. There was one tool we were unfamiliar with called a klinometer, which is used to measure height. Some people were really good at it, and others not so much, but it's an eyesight thing and you can do another task if you don't feel comfortable with it.
Q: How is the teen team different?
A: The teen team includes talks on how to get a career in science, and there are more learning activities. They learn how to salsa dance, and how to make a roof out of leaves. They have rainforest survival lessons and activities. There is also a facilitator available for the teens 24 hours a day who has experience working with this age group in an educational capacity, and this person will meet the teen volunteers at the airport.
Q: Are there activities available for other teams, too?
A: On the recreational day, you can go to a nearby town that has become a weekend hotspot. I was expecting a bunch of clubs and bars, but it's really family-oriented. You can watch people salsa dancing, and they're absolutely fantastic! No one in our group had the courage to go up and try it, but you do have the option. It was a fun day.
Q: If I want to stay in Puerto Rico after the expedition, how should I pack my non-expedition clothes?
A: You may want to pack them in a freezer bag; roll them up and they pack small, and they'll stay dry while you're on the expedition. They may be a little wrinkled, but they'll be dry and clean!
Q: Where is the rendezvous?
A: At the airport in San Juan. You should make your flight arrangements as soon as you can. The briefing tells you which gate to leave out of, and there'll be an Earthwatch person, usually holding a sign, to take you to the research site.
Q: Should I bring regular luggage or just a backpack?
A: You won't be hiking to the camp, the vehicle takes you right to the camp and right to the airport, so you can bring regular luggage. You will want to bring a day pack to bring water and sunscreen around with you while you're measuring the trees.
Q: Do I need any shots to go to Puerto Rico?
A: You don't need any shots, but we always recommend an updated tetanus and Hepatitis A. You should follow the advice of your doctor or travel clinic.
Q: Do I need to bring a mosquito net?
A: No, mosquitoes weren't much of a problem. You may want to bring insect repellant, but a mosquito net is unnecessary.
Q: Do I need to bring a sleeping bag?
A: Yes, you need to bring a lightweight sleeping bag. I would also recommend bringing cozy clothes to lounge around in back at the camp. I wished I had brought a pair of flannel pajama bottoms to feel more comfortable at the end of the day.
Q: How can I get more information about where this study is headed?
A: Sally, the PI, has talks throughout the expedition. And the scientists are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the research. Every night after dinner, everyone gathers in this common room, and we have talks and people give presentations. Later in the expedition, the volunteers are asked to give a short presentation on anything they like, whether it's their hobby or family or just something they're interested in; it's a nice way to get to know each other. You can find more information about the study in the briefing as well.