Costa Rican Sea Turtles 2013


Dear Earthwatcher,

Thank you for joining this expedition! We greatly appreciate your decision to contribute to hands-on environmental science and conservation.

As an Earthwatch volunteer, you have the opportunity to create positive change. And while you’re out in the field working toward that change, we are committed to caring for your safety. Although risk is an inherent part of the environments in which we work, we’ve been providing volunteer field experiences with careful risk management and diligent planning for over 40 years. You’re in good hands.

We hope this expedition will inspire you to get more involved in conservation and sustainable development priorities—not just out in the field, but also when you return home. We encourage you to share your experiences with others, and to transfer your skills and enthusiasm to environmental conservation efforts in your workplace, community, and home.

If you have questions as you prepare for your expedition, contact your Earthwatch office. Thank you for your support, and enjoy your expedition!

Sincerely,

Ed Wilson President and CEO

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1Costa Rican Sea Turtles 2013

Table of ContentsTable of Contents� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 1

General Information � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 2

The Research � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 6

Your Destination � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 8

Daily Life in the Field � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 10

Accommodations and Food � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 12

Travel Planning � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 14

Travel Tips � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 16

Project Conditions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 18

Safety � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 20

Project Staff � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 22

Recommended Reading � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 23

Participant Rights and Responsibilities � � � � � 24

Contacts � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 28

Welcome Letter � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 29

Images © Laura Howells, Earthwatch, Russ Schleipman, Una Graham, Tom Burstow, Jane Nijssen, Ellen McKnight, Dr. Frank Paladino, Joan Burnett


General InformationCosta Rican Sea Turtles

Expedition Dates

Team 1: Oct. 19 – Oct. 27, 2012

Team 2: Oct. 28 – Nov. 5, 2012

Team 3: Nov. 7 – Nov. 15, 2012

Team 4: Nov. 17 – Nov. 25, 2012

Team 5: Nov. 27 – Dec. 5, 2012

Team 6: Dec. 8 – Dec. 16, 2012

Team 7: Jan. 6 – Jan. 14, 2013

Team 8: Jan. 16 – Jan. 24, 2013

Team 9: Jan. 26 – Feb. 3, 2013

Team 10: Feb. 5 – Feb. 13, 2013

Earthwatch scientist: Dr. Frank V. Paladino, Indiana-Purdue University (US), Dr. Bibi Santidrian Tomillo, The Leatherback Trust (Costa Rica)

Research site: Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica

Rendezvous and departure location and time:

Tamarindo Airport

Arrival: 12:45 p.m. on Day 1

Departure from airport: Between 8 a.m. and noon on Day 9


TO DO IMMEDIATELy Book an appointment with a doctor; you’ll need him or her to sign the Health section of your Earthwatch Participation Form.

Make sure you understand and agree to Earthwatch policies and participant responsibilities.

Note: If you have signed up for an expedition within 90 days of the start date, you must return your fully completed volunteer forms as soon as possible.

90 DAyS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION Complete and return your volunteer forms� Below are the specific forms required for this expedition:

Earthwatch Participation Form for Adults

Travel Form

European volunteers can download forms on: www.earthwatch.org/europe/volunteerforms

US/North American volunteers can download forms at: www.earthwatch.org/volunteerforms

Australian volunteers can download forms on: www.earthwatch.org/australia/expeditions/volunteer_forms/

Japanese volunteers can download forms on: www.earthwatch.jp/getinvolved/condition/formdownload-i.html

Pay any outstanding balance on your expedition.

Book travel arrangements (see the Travel Planning section for details).

If you plan to purchase additional travel insurance, note that some policies require purchase when your expedition is booked (see the Insurance section for more information).

If traveling internationally, make sure your passport is current and obtain a visa for your destination country, if necessary (see the Passports and Visas section for more details).

Make sure you have all the necessary vaccinations for your project site (see the Health Information section).

Bring your level of fitness up to the standards required (see the Project Conditions section).

60 DAyS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION Review the packing list to make sure you have all the clothing, personal supplies, and equipment needed.

30 DAyS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION Leave the Earthwatch 24-hour helpline number with a friend or relative (see the inside back cover)

Leave copies of your passport, visas, and airline tickets with a friend or relative.

Confirm your travel arrangements.

TRIP PLANNER

Read this expedition briefing thoroughly. It provides the most accurate information available at the time of your Earthwatch scientist’s project planning, and will likely answer any questions you have about the project. However, please also keep in mind that research requires improvisation, and you may need to be flexible. Research plans evolve in response to new findings, as well as to unpredictable factors such as weather, equipment failure, and travel challenges. To enjoy your expedition to the fullest, remember to expect the unexpected, be tolerant of repetitive tasks, and try to find humor in difficult situations. If there are any major changes in the research plan or field logistics, Earthwatch will make every attempt to keep you well informed before you go into the field.


REqUIRED ITEMS

GENERAL Expedition Briefing

Photocopies of your passport, flight itinerary and credit cards in case the originals are lost or stolen; the copies should be packed separately from the original documents

Passport and/or visa (if necessary)

Certification of vaccination (if necessary)

Documentation for travel by minors (if necessary) (see Volunteers Under 18 years of Age in the Travel Tips section)

CLOTHING/FOOTwEAR FOR FIELDwORK At least three comfortable T-shirts, including your

Earthwatch T-shirt

At least two pairs of shorts

At least one pair of lightweight long pants to wear on the beach at night

A long-sleeved, lightweight sweatshirt

A light rain jacket or poncho, plus rain pants if you wish (especially for October-November teams)

Plenty of socks for protecting your feet while walking in sand

Two pairs of comfortable, broken-in sneakers (high-tops keep sand out more effectively) or light hiking boots to walk in sand (two pairs are required so that if one gets wet the other will be available for the following day)

wide-brimmed hat

A pair of sturdy sandals for daytime beach work

CLOTHING/FOOTwEAR FOR LEISURE At least one set of clothing to keep clean for end of

expedition and for possible recreational activities

Light sandals and/or flip-flops for daytime (good for around the houses, restaurant, and pool, but not for the village or while working on the beach)

Loose, comfortable cotton clothing for the evenings (long sleeves and long pants are recommended to discourage insect bites, scrapes, and bruises)

Two bathing suits for swimming and relaxing (one if you don’t mind wearing a damp one)

A pair of walking boots if you are interested in daytime excursions into the mangrove estuary and other adjacent habitats

Loose, comfortable clothing for during the day while not working (shorts and T-shirts)

FIELD SUPPLIES ESSENTIAL: One low-intensity headlamp (a small

2xAA size headlight is recommended). Note that halogen bulbs are NOT allowed. A red filter will be applied, as turtles are sensitive to white light. If you have a suitable red gel or plastic filter please bring it, as supplies in the field are limited. Red filters can be purchased through most outdoor outfitters.

Small daypack, Dry bag or plastic sealable baggies (e.g. Ziplocs) for protecting equipment such as camera from dust, humidity, and water

Insect repellent

water bottle(s) able to hold at least two liters

BEDDING AND BATHING At least one large bath towel

Beach towel

Light fleece blanket for bed (one fitted and one flat sheet will be provided)

PERSONAL SUPPLIES Personal toiletries (biodegradable soaps and

shampoos are encouraged)

Antibacterial wipes or lotion (good for cleaning hands while in the field)

Personal first-aid kit (e.g. anti-diarrhea pills, antibiotics, antiseptic, itch-relief, pain reliever, bandages, blister covers, etc.) and personal medications

Sunscreen lotion with SPF 30 or higher

Contact lens supplies, if necessary

MISCELLANEOUS Spending money either as cash or traveler’s checks

(US$350-400 or the equivalent in colones is usually plenty unless you are planning additional side trips) and a credit card (most credit cards are readily accepted)

EXPEDITION PACKING CHECKLIST


Camera, film/memory card(s), extra camera battery (remember, flash photography is NOT allowed on the beach, so choose appropriate film, and BE CERTAIN you know how to turn off the automatic flash)

A travel alarm clock

Sunglasses

Digital, light-up, water-repellant watch

OPTIONAL ITEMS A small Maglite™ (in addition to a headlamp, which

is required)

A few feet of duct tape (a whole roll is not necessary) for repairing items

Extra snacks like granola bars or trail mix, as they are quite expensive in Costa Rica

Blank writable CD/DVD or memory stick to share digital photos at the end of the expedition

Book(s), journal, games, DVDs, etc. for personal time

Bandana(s) to keep bugs and sand out of your hair

Snorkel and mask if you want to snorkel during recreational time (we have a few sets to share at the station, but if you have your own we suggest that you bring your own set)

Earplugs and/or sleep mask

Dry box to protect personal equipment from humidity (cameras, hearing aids, etc.)

TEAM 5: you will be celebrating American Thanksgiving with the field team and are invited to

bring any of your holiday favorites, and any useful cooking gadgets you may have.

THE wISH LISTThe following items are used on the project. we greatly appreciate donations.

Batteries (AA)

Mini Maglite™ flashlights, and spare bulbs

Non-prescription first-aid supplies (e.g. cotton balls, gauze, bandages, antibiotic ointment)

Alcohol swabs

Insect repellent

Disposable latex and/or nitrite (non-latex) examining gloves

Plastic garbage bags (small and medium)

Supplies for the local primary school (e.g. pencils, pens, crayons, color pencils, notebooks, small children’s toys, folders, paper, books in Spanish, posters, paints and brushes).

Individually wrapped, small candies or ANy chocolate

BBq sauce (loved by many project staff and volunteers, and not available in Costa Rica)

Books you have read and loved

Note: Required and Optional Items lists are accurate to the best of Earthwatch’s knowledge at the time of publication�


THE STORyThe leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is the largest and most widely distributed of all sea turtles. This impressive animal can grow up to 3 meters (9.8 feet) long and weigh as much as 916 kilograms (2,020 pounds). Unlike all other turtles, its carapace (dorsal shell) is made of leathery skin, not bone. Leatherbacks face a number of threats to their survival: climate change, boat traffic, fishing lines and nets, and humans eating their eggs. Also, leatherbacks feed almost entirely on jellyfish, and are frequently harmed when they ingest plastic bags that look deceptively like their main food source.

The goal of this project is to help save leatherback sea turtles from extinction at the most important remaining nesting beaches in the world. For over two decades, the Costa Rican Sea Turtles research team has conducted studies on the behavior, physiology, genetics, population biology, and migrations of endangered leatherback turtles on Playa Grande, Playa Ventanas, and Playa Langosta on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. we hope to understand the dramatic declines of leatherbacks in the Pacific Ocean and the population dynamics of marine turtles in general.

RESEARCH AIMSOn this project, we study the behavior of adult and newly hatched turtles in the water, their migratory routes,

The ResearchCosta Rican Sea Turtles

and impacts of human activities and pollution on these animals, both on land and in the water. Understanding migration routes and the effects of fisheries and development on leatherback behavior has been critical to the development of international treaties and conservation management strategies. we are just beginning to get a picture of turtle movements and behavior, and need additional data on near-shore nesting to understand the impact of fisheries on nesting turtles, as well as the effects of commercial long-line fishing on migrating turtles in the open ocean.

we also maintain a long-term database on the reproduction and genetics of leatherback turtles nesting on the beaches in the national park complex where we work—the longest population dataset existing in the Pacific on a long-lived marine turtle. Researchers need this information to understand impacts over time from development along the beaches, human intrusion, and global warming—impacts that we are just beginning to see on reproduction and hatching success of nesting leatherbacks. In 2012, our research team published a scientific article in one of the world’s top-rated journals, Nature, on the impact of climate-change on hatchlings and the long-term reproductive success of leatherbacks.

Our research has been instrumental in establishing the Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas and the Goldring Marine Biology Field Station. Additionally, it led to a management plan for the entire area that impacts all land development and water use. This national park is now being used as a model for beach protection and preservation in Costa Rica and throughout Central America. Those who design management and protection plans for leatherbacks worldwide have relied on our long-term database for information on issues related to El Niño and long-line fishing impacts on large marine open-ocean species, especially marine turtles.

we also work to involve the local community in our research and conservation efforts. we run a program to educate schoolchildren on the benefits of turtles and the natural resources of their area, and, since 2007, have led the “Great Turtle Race” each year. we designed this event to use the migrations of turtles in El Niño and La Niña years as an instruction tool for schoolchildren and the public, and it also provides long-term data on detailed movements for these animals in changing oceanic


conditions. Also, we have created and supported local guide cooperatives, which employ over 100 families, as well a cooperative of artisans who make and sell handicrafts created with renewable local resources. we have helped foster a sustainable local economy that is in harmony with the management and protection the Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas and the leatherback sea turtle, and we look forward to ushering you into the community.

HOw yOU wILL HELPOn the first day, you will learn to assist scientists in working with the turtles on the beach. Informal presentations about the main project, other research projects, and need for conservation will be given on several evenings prior to the activities. If possible, the national park’s director will also deliver a presentation.

In the research portion of the project, you will be working mainly at night. Possible activities include the following:

• walking the beaches to tag the leatherbacks and record data on their nests. The number of turtles seen varies but is typically 5 to 20, although rarely no turtles are seen at all.

• Collecting eggs from newly laid nests in danger of tidal inundation or human interference for relocation to the hatchery (depending on the season).

• Attaching transmitters to turtles to monitor local behavior and migration.

• Carrying equipment and assisting in excavations of hatched nests.

Possible daytime activities include the following:

• walking the beaches at dawn to verify the number of nesting turtles from the night before (approximately 10 kilometers [6 miles]; 2 to 3 hours).

• Taking nest temperatures and recording location of nests.

• Excavating hatched nests from the previous night to obtain data on hatching success.

• Cleaning equipment, preparing tags, and packing for the next night’s activities, and possibly getting involved with other research projects, depending on the expedition.

• Assisting with the local education program, which includes visits by schoolchildren to the beach and hatchery. There will be extensive work done with the local school in Matapalo and a number of others in the area on some expeditions.


Costa Rica is a peaceful, well-established democracy, and boasts a wonderful range of tropical environments: lowland rainforests, savannah woodlands, wetlands, and active volcanoes that rise to more than 3,500 meters (11,480 feet). with its huge range of species of plants, birds, and other animals in an area smaller than England, it is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth. There are 25 national parks under the control of the Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación de Costa Rica (http://www�sinac�go�cr/).

Guanacaste Province, where this project takes place, is on the northwest coast. The area is covered with dry tropical forest, savanna, and cattle pastures. Areas of natural dry forest also exist within the province, where Cortes trees dot the grasslands like large umbrellas. The coastline has numerous rocky outcroppings between beautiful white-sand beaches. Thousands of leatherback and olive ridley turtles nest on the beaches where your team will work.

while you’re here, you’ll see a lot of Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas and the surrounding beaches of Playa Grande, Playa Ventanas, and Playa Langosta. you’ll also

tour nearby mangrove estuaries with a local guide, where you might catch a glimpse of American crocodiles, howler monkeys, green iguanas, ctenosaurs (big iguana-like lizards), and countless kinds of wading birds, along with a variety of lizards, snakes, and amphibians. Mangrove estuaries like this one provide critical nursery habitat for many species in the Pacific, and provide a home for more than 60 species of birds and numerous migrant species that pass through seasonally.

Playa Grande has several hotels and tourist cabinas, and a well-developed tourism industry centered on surfing, scuba diving, ecotourism, and sport fishing (it’s the best spot in the world for large billfish). Tamarindo, the project’s rendezvous site, has a number of local arts and crafts shops. Some people call Guanacaste Province the “wild west of Costa Rica”; here, the cattle industry is a major commercial influence, and rodeos and other cattle-related events happen every year. Visitors can also tour the rolling grasslands in the surrounding areas on horseback, and sample excellent local restaurants, with specialties that include seafood, local beef dishes, fresh fruit, and rice and beans.

your DestinationAbout Costa Rica


RECREATIONAL TIMEEach day on the project will include at least a few hours of free time. you may choose to relax on the beach, sit by the pool at the field station, visit the small town of Playa Grande to do some souvenir shopping, get a massage or enjoy lunch at a small local restaurant, snorkel, or rent a surfboard at your own expense (surfboard rental cost depends on the type of board, but usually costs around US $20 per day).

At some point during the expedition, the team will take a half-day trip to Tamarindo for shopping and recreational time. In addition, research staff will organize trips to the mangrove estuary and a horseback riding tour. These trips are optional and at the expense of the volunteer; expect to pay $15 for the mangrove estuary and $35 for horseback riding. The group will also travel to a spectacular black-sand beach with tide pools for an afternoon of snorkeling.

Source: www�govisitCostaRica�com


Daily Life in the FieldPHOTOGRAPHy POLICyAs mentioned before, research activities will mostly take place at night. It is important to note, then, that bright lights disturb and disorient sea turtles, which can be deadly for them. Nesting females may return to the ocean without nesting, and young hatchlings may become confused about the direction they are supposed to travel. These worries have caused many governments to impose very strict rules for light management. The following rules apply to your expedition:

• Photography on nesting beaches at night: Flash photography is NOT allowed on nesting beaches at night. Therefore, cameras are NOT allowed on nesting beaches at night, even cameras with high-speed film and no flash.

• How can volunteers get photos to use? The project staff will give you a CD/DVD of images to take home (or it will be mailed later in the season). you may also purchase printed photos at a few local places.

• Photos for semi-professional or professional display: Photographing or videoing on the beach at night for such uses requires a government permit. you must supply detailed information well before the expedition.

EARTHwATCH RECREATIONAL TIME POLICyProject staff will generally accompany participants from the rendezvous to the end of the expedition. For recreational days, when no research activities are scheduled, Earthwatch scientists will offer either a team activity or a range of recreational activities that comply with Earthwatch standards. Participants may also remain at project accommodations. Those who pursue other options must sign a release form.

If there is a period of time during a regular research day when no research activities are scheduled, adult participants may leave the project site on their own; they will have to sign out first. Unless contacted for help, project staff will not search for a participant unless he or she fails to appear the following morning or for the next scheduled research activity.

Earthwatch will assess the general risks of adult participants leaving the project site, but cannot guarantee participant safety or an awareness of all issues. In some cases, due to local conditions, adult participants may have to stay at the project site during recreational time, which will be clearly communicated on site.

Training and AssignmentsThese permits are very difficult to obtain, expensive, and designed for large film crews.

• Flashlights and headlamps: The project will supply you with a filter for your light appropriate for beach work if you need one. In attempts to preserve the serenity of the nesting habitat, flashlights will only be used when necessary for research tasks, and cannot be used to aid in walking along the beach.

The above information applies to taking photos on the beaches at night only� You are free to take photos during the day and of other project-related activities�

ALCOHOL POLICyIt is the policy of the National Park Las Baulas de Guanacaste that volunteers who have consumed ANy amount of alcohol* during the day cannot be permitted on the beach to participate in that evening’s turtle survey, for their safety and the safety of the turtles. Please respect this policy.

If you plan to join the evening survey, be sure not to consume any alcoholic beverages during the day—not even a single beer or glass of wine at lunch. If you do consume alcohol during the day, you will be ineligible to resume surveys until the next morning.*Minors (under age 18) are prohibited from consuming any alcohol at all during the entire expedition as per local law and Earthwatch policy.


ITINERARy AND DAILy SCHEDULE

weather and research needs can lead to changes in the daily schedule. we appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

Day 1: Arrival and Orientation After meeting the team, you’ll travel to Goldring Marine Biology Field Station, where you’ll have time to settle in before dinner. That evening, project staff members will introduce themselves and provide an orientation to the project. They’ll guide you in what to expect regarding safety, eating arrangements, daytime activities, night work on the beach, and recreational time. Afterward, you may read the reprints of popular and scientific papers we have available at the field station, or rest up from your day of travel. you’ll get to familiarize yourself with the beach and then, hopefully, take in the majestic leatherback nesting on a moonlit beach. This is an impressive sight, and it will inspire you for the work to come.

Days 2 – 8: Fieldworkwork and activities will be posted at the station, and you’ll often work in small groups. An estimated schedule follows:

Time of Day Activity

Night we’ll spend around five or six hours on the beach per night, arriving before high tide and staying for about two hours past high tide. with your team members, you’ll walk the beach, going from turtle to turtle and collecting data. Early in the season (October to mid-December) we will relocate nests into the hatchery, and from mid-December to February we will release the hatchlings. Depending on the tide, we will leave the beach by about 4:30 or 5:00 a.m.

5:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Volunteers on morning beach surveys will leave around 5:30 a.m. you will walk up to 10 kilometers (6 miles) while counting nests, fixing markers, taking nest temperature measurements, and doing other fieldwork. you may break to have a refreshing drink at a beachside restaurant, and you may take a swim in the ocean after working or relax in a hammock by the pool.

11:00 a.m. Breakfast. we eat together each day to talk about the previous nights’ turtles and plan for the day. you can walk the quarter-mile to Kike’s (the restaurant where we have most meals) or go in the project van.

12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

you’ll generally have free time during this period. On request, we can make arrangements for guided tours, snorkeling and swimming, or a trip into Tamarindo for shopping and relaxing by the beach.

3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Those visiting nests to measure temperatures leave at 3 p.m. and work for a few hours on the beach. Other groups will fix markers and perform any hatchery maintenance work. we’ll visit a beachside restaurant and have a swim in the ocean afterwards. Maintenance work on the hatchery and excavation of hatchery nests will be done during the afternoon. If nests are found the previous night, nest marking, relocation, and excavations will occur. These duties typically take one or two hours.

Volunteers who remain at the houses during the day can help clean up the tagging packs and other equipment in preparation for the next night’s work. Other work relating to student projects will occur on an as-needed basis and will be posted along with other daily activities. Visits to local schools for the education program will take place during the day while school is in session, and will be announced when available.

6:00 p.m. Each night, we’ll eat dinner together at Kike’s. On several nights either before or after dinner, depending on the work schedule, a staff member will present a slide show or give an informal talk on the research.

Day 8, Evening

On Day 8, we will share a wrap-up dinner and take a trip to a beautiful spot to enjoy a breathtaking Costa Rican sunset.

Day 9: Departure At 7:00 a.m., staff will transport volunteers to the Tamarindo Airport in time to meet flights between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon (late morning is preferable because you may be on the beach until early morning). It is not possible to stay at the accommodations past the departure time.


your team will stay at the Goldring Marine Biology Field Station (pictured above), located in Playa Grande on the beachfront just north of the hatchery. The station is located less than a 15 minutes’ drive from the Tamarindo Airport.

SLEEPING The station has six bedrooms, which will be shared by people of the same gender. The number of volunteers per room will depend on the size of the team. Most rooms sleep four or fewer people, but up to six people may end up sharing. Each room has bunk beds. while the station has one room that can accommodate a couple, privacy in the house is limited, and couples who must room together may want to consider joining another expedition that can guarantee they will have private accommodations.

BATHROOMS The station has four bathrooms, each of which has a toilet, hot water, and a spacious shower. Sinks and mirrors are located outside the toilet areas. All four bathrooms are unisex and shared by everyone.

Accommodations and FoodELECTRICITyyou can charge digital cameras or other electronic equipment at the station, and it has air conditioning. Voltage is 120, 60 hertz, generally with flat two-pin plugs, and some three-pronged plugs.

INTERNET A wireless Internet connection is available. you may bring your own laptop, but we caution you to take responsibility for any expensive equipment by not displaying it to passersby and always putting it away when not in use. The station also has one hard-wired computer for volunteers to share.

FACILITIES AND AMENITIESAt the station, you’ll have access to two kitchens, two dining areas, and two lounge/classroom areas. you can also enjoy a number of amenities in your free time. The freshwater swimming pool at the station is open during the day, and the beach, only 25 meters away, provides a pleasant spot to relax during your time off. As do the three hammocks that hang at the station. we also have a large library of paperback books and a collection of nature videos for you to watch on our TV during your spare time. Many visitors also take walks through the local habitats to bird watch.

you may do laundry by hand in an outside wash basin, but things dry very slowly due to the humidity. A laundry service can also be provided for a fee (typically about US$3-5 for a small bag of clothes). Please conserve water, particularly from January until the end of the season.

FOODwe’ll eat breakfasts and dinners at Kike’s, a local restaurant about a quarter-mile away from the field station, but we typically won’t have sit-down lunches. If you wish to make something to eat at lunchtime, the station will provide some staples. Volunteers on past expeditions have found that two meals per day are sufficient.

Local dishes tend to include meat and fish, and while vegetarian meals are usually available, the restaurant can’t offer much variety. Vegan meals can be more difficult to arrange, depending on what the restaurant has available. If you prefer several small meals or need snacks, you may wish to bring your own supply to supplement the menu.

About your Home in the Field


Types of food to expect:

Breakfast: Fruit, pancakes, eggs, vegetables, sandwiches, salads, rice and beans, tortillas

Lunch: As stated above, you might want to bring your own snacks to eat between breakfast and dinner. Basic food items such as fruit, cookies, crackers, and cereal will be available at the station.

Dinner: Vegetables, rice, beans, salad, meat, poultry, fish, pizza

Snacks/Other: you may prepare your own sandwiches, cookies, crackers, cereal, biscuits, etc. (a small grocery store near the station sells food and bottles of water inexpensively).

Beverages: Fruit juices, coffee, soft drinks, and water. The tap water is potable, and we encourage drinking tap water over bottled water to aid in our conservation mission. Please bring a water bottle that you can refill and carry with you in the field.

SPECIAL DIETARy REqUIREMENTS Please alert Earthwatch to any special dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian or vegan diet, diabetes, lactose intolerance, nut or other serious food allergies) as soon as possible, and note them in the space provided on your volunteer forms. Accommodating special diets is not guaranteed, and can be very difficult due to availability of food, location of field sites, and other local conditions.


Travel PlanningRendezvous and Departure Information

The rendezvous and departure information for this project has been removed from this web version of the expedition briefing� It is only available to volunteers who have signed up� Please do not make any travel arrangements to join an expedition without having full and up-to-date travel information from Earthwatch� Full rendezvous details, including places and times are available from Earthwatch upon request prior to registration for an expedition� Please use the “Contact Us” button on the top right-hand corner of the website to get in touch with an Earthwatch representative, who will be very happy to help you�


Travel TipsLUGGAGEGeneral considerations: Do not bring more luggage than you can carry and handle on your own. If traveling by air, pack an extra set of field clothing and personal essentials in your carry-on bag. Please check with your airline(s) for baggage weight limits, liquid restrictions, fees for checked baggage, etc.

Checking Luggage: If you will be taking an international flight that has one or more connections within the country of your destination, you must collect any checked bags at the airport where you first arrive in the destination country. After proceeding through Customs, recheck your luggage before flying on to your final destination.

Local airlines flying into Tamarindo have strict baggage weight limits; anything over incurs a fee. On SANSA (http://www�flysansa�com/), you may check one bag weighing 30 pounds (14 kilograms), and Nature Air (http://www�natureair�com/) allows one checked bag of up to 40 pounds (18 kilograms) depending on your fare class. Visit their websites for the most up-to-date information and exact fee amounts.

MONEy MATTERSLocal currency: Costa Rican colones are the local currency, but US dollars are usually accepted.

Personal funds: A few hundred US dollars will cover recreational activities, and purchasing souvenirs, snacks and drinks. we suggest that you have at least some cash for day trips and for small stores that are not set up for credit cards. The team will take a trip to Tamarindo on one day, during which you will be able to exchange money at a bank. Most shops in Tamarindo accept credit cards, and you can access cash machines/ATMs at the bank in Tamarindo and at the Frijoles Locos surf shop in Playa Grande, though you may not be able to withdraw funds from these with credit cards issued outside Costa Rica. Also, businesses are not eager to accept traveler’s checks in US dollars.

Departure taxes: If departing from Tamarindo Airport, there is a US $3 departure tax. From San Juan Airport, there is an international departure tax of 12,600 colones (US$26) which can be paid in cash (either US dollars or colones) or with a VISA credit card.

yOUR DESTINATION Language: Spanish is the official language, but English is widely spoken.

Cultural considerations: Please remember that you represent the project at all times. Very short shorts or low-cut, tight shirts may draw unwanted attention that will detract from the scientific goals of the project. Typical western-style bathing suits are fine to wear on the beach and by the pool.

The field station is patrolled by armed guards and surrounded by gates, security measures that are quite common in Costa Rica. we feel quite safe on site, but you should always leave unnecessary valuables at home.

Plug Type A Plug Type B

Electricity: Voltage is 120, 60 hertz, generally with flat two-pin plugs and some three-pronged plugs. For additional information, see kropla�com/electric2�htm.

Time zone: GMT/UTC -6. Daylight saving time is not observed. For time worldwide with GMT/UTC, see: www�worldtimeserver�com.

Telephone dialing codes: when calling Costa Rica from another country, dial the country’s international dialing code, followed by 506 and the number. when calling within Costa Rica, omit the 506 and dial the local number. when calling another country from Costa Rica, dial 00, followed by the other country’s country code (e.g., 1 for the US and 44 for the UK) and the number. Please note that all landline phone numbers in Costa Rica are preceded by a 2, and all Costa Rican cell phone numbers are preceded by an 8 (following the country code 506 if necessary). For additional information, see www�kropla�com/dialcode�htm.

PLEASE NOTE: you should check with your cell phone provider to obtain any carrier-specific dialing codes you may need; many providers have dialing procedures that may differ in whole or in part from these directions.


will you Need a Passport? Most volunteers traveling from outside the host country will require a passport valid for at least six months beyond the dates of travel.

will you Need a Visa?Citizens of the US, EU, Australia and Japan DO NOT need tourist visas for entry. Citizens of other countries should check with their travel agent or a visa agency for specific visa and entry requirements.

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)If you are traveling from outside the US and have a stopover in the US, you are required to register through the ESTA program. The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is used to screen short-term visitors who are citizens of the 36 countries eligible for the US Visa waiver Program (VwP). For a list of those countries, see http://www�travel�state�gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990�html#countries.

Visitors are required to complete ESTA at least three days before traveling to the US. Once approved, the authorization is valid for up to two years if the individual’s passport does not expire in the meantime. Submit applications through the ESTA website: https://esta�cbp�dhs�gov/esta/. As of publication, ESTA costs approximately US$14.00.

Citizens of countries covered by the VwP traveling to the US for tourism or business for 90 days or less do not need to obtain a visa provided they have a valid passport (for exceptions see the VwP quick Reference Guide: http://travel�state�gov/pdf/VWP-QuickReferenceGuide�pdf).

Information for Volunteers Requiring Visas ONLy

Type of Visa to Get: TOURIST Remember that the purpose of your visit is for vacation, holiday or travel. Immigration officials do not always understand the concept of a “working vacation,” or even “volunteering.” words such as “working,” “volunteering,” “research” or “scientific expedition” can raise questions concerning the country’s foreign labor laws and/or prompt questions about official scientific research permits and credentials, etc., to which volunteers will not be equipped to respond on their own. All required research permits for the project are in place and have been approved by the proper authorities.

Where To Get a Visa: Contact the nearest Costa Rican embassy or consulate to find out how to apply. Please

note that this process can take weeks, or even months. we strongly recommend using a visa agency, which can both expedite and simplify the process.

Suggested agencies: In the US: Travisa; 212-613-2223; www.travisa.com

In Europe: CIBT, Inc. (UK); [email protected]; uk.cibt.com

In Australia: Ask your travel agency if it can send your visa application on your behalf.

Required Information: you will need to send your passport (valid for at least six months beyond your stay), a Visa Application and Immigration Form, 2-4 passport-size photos, and payment to the embassy or visa agency (if applicable). Please be sure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your stay.

Contact Information: you may be required to list the following contact information on your visa application and immigration form:

Frank V. Paladino Goldring Marine Biology Field Station, Playa Grande, Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, Costa Rica Tel: +506 (2) 653-0635

Cost of a Visa: Generally between US$40-100, but varies from country to country and can potentially cost up to US$180. A visa agency will charge an additional fee.

Information for Volunteers Under 18 years of Age In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have procedures at entry and exit points to protect minors. Thus, if a minor will be traveling with only one guardian or alone, he/she may need a notarized letter from all legal guardians stating that the minor may travel unaccompanied or in the presence of a single guardian. If necessary, this letter must give an explanation for why only one parent or someone other than a parent is signing the letter. For example, if one parent is deceased, only one parent has legal guardianship, or someone other than the parents are legal guardians, the letter should state that. Airlines may also have documentation requirements for unaccompanied minors, e.g. a birth certificate or a notarized letter like the one described above.

Important Note: Requirements of specific countries and airlines vary and change frequently. you must keep informed of the requirements on your own to avoid problems at immigration. If the minor is refused entry into a country or onto a flight because of lack of documentation, there is nothing Earthwatch can do to help.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS


Please show this section to a doctor when he/she is completing the Health section of your Earthwatch Participation Form. Be sure to discuss vaccination requirements with the doctor well in advance of your departure date. See the Health Information section for vaccination information.

To the doctor:

This patient has volunteered to join a field research team that has specific physical demands of which you and the patient should be aware. we need your accurate evaluation of this patient’s ability to meet the conditions detailed below in order to care for his/her health and safety, and to assess that he/she can participate fully and effectively.

Project Conditions

GENERAL CONDITIONSThe information below is as accurate as possible, but please keep in mind that, once in the field, conditions may change�

Temperatures are usually in the mid-80s to upper-90s°F/30–35°C during the day, but cool off significantly in the evening, usually to about 60°F/20°C. The rainy season runs from July to mid-November, with dry, hot and windy conditions the rest of the year. Volunteers on expeditions in October and November may experience rain and high humidity, so we recommend a light rain parka and a light, long-sleeved sweatshirt for cooler nights. The dry season extends from December to the end of March, when it tends to be warm, windy, and dry. The beach is surrounded by rolling hills and grassland.

The Field Environment

CONDITIONS

Humidity: 20% to 80%

Temperature Range: 60°F/15°C to 95°F/35°C

Altitude: 0 to 100 ft/30 m

Rainfall: 1-5 in/25-125 mm per week

ELIGIBILITy REqUIREMENTS All participants must be able, independently or with the assistance of a companion, to:

Follow verbal and/or visual instructions.

Enjoy being outdoors all day in all types of weather.

Endure tropical (hot and humid) work conditions.

Shift their sleep cycles; we will work through the night and catch up on sleep during the day.

Move in soft sand from one turtle to the next, quickly, for most of the night (walking a total of up to 10 km/6 mi on soft sand for 4-6 hours per night). This activity is often strenuous; volunteers should consider preparatory back, calf, and thigh strengthening exercises well before participation.

Stay with team and avoid obstacles while patrolling beach in the dark or very low light.

Communicate with team leaders and fellow team members by voice, rather than visually, in the dark or very low light.

Get low to the ground, often on one’s knees or belly, to excavate turtle nests (1-2 hours per day).

Have good upper-body and back strength. It may be necessary to dig an artificial nest, which involves digging with your hands to a depth of 3-5 feet/1-1.5 meters.

Carry a 5-7 kilogram/10-15 pound backpack to hold the tagging team’s field equipment while walking on sand.


POTENTIAL HAZARDS

If you feel ill once you return from your trip, make sure you inform your doctor that you have recently returned from a tropical region.

Hazard Type Associated Risks and Precautions

walking/Hiking/Climbing

walking in soft sand on the beach can be strenuous, especially at night in the dark. you must be in appropriate physical condition and have good vision. Comfortable, closed-toe footwear (such as sneakers or hiking boots) and socks are essential to reduce the risk of blisters, twisted ankles, and other injuries.

Animals/Plants

Venomous snakes are rare in this area, but they may be present in the mangroves and dry forest early in the season (until November). The snakes present in Guanacaste are coral snakes, the fer de lance (terciopelo), and the Central American rattlesnake (cascabel). In 20 years, only two venomous snakes have been spotted by the Earthwatch scientists. The non-venomous rosy boas are more commonly seen.

Bees and bugs are plentiful, though insects are not as bad on the Pacific side of the island due to the wind and dryness. Mosquitoes in the accommodations are quite common. Those not from North or South America may find their bites particularly discomforting, and are advised to bring anti-itch ointments and/or oral medication. Those with insect allergies should bring the proper emergency kits and inform staff of the problem and the location of the kit.

Climate/weather

Dehydration, heat exhaustion, sunburn, and other heat-related illnesses can occur, but you can protect yourself by drinking sufficient water, wearing high-SPF sunscreen, and wearing appropriate clothing. Dehydration from sweating can be a problem; please bring your own water bottles that you can easily carry and refill them with electrolyte-replacing packets.

Project Tasks/Equipment

Digging up nests with your hands while kneeling in the sand is physically tiring and could cause muscle sprains or strains.

Personal Security

The station is guarded and locked at night, and a fence surrounds the entire complex. you should store valuables securely in your own locked suitcase. while we have a locked safe where you may store money and passports, regular access is limited.

Swimming you may swim during recreational time, although we won’t swim as part of the research activities. Dangerous rip tides and high waves may occur off the local beach. Sharks may also come near shore; if they are reported, you will not be permitted to swim. we advise against swimming in water deeper than your waist, and you may not swim alone. Always alert project staff when, where, and with whom you plan to go swimming.

Sleep Deprivation

we will work for about six hours each night and a few hours each day, which interrupts regular sleep patterns. Sharing quarters with many other people and sleeping during daylight hours may also impair sleeping. Ear plugs and eye masks may help. Also, your hard work will tire you out, which will greatly help with falling asleep in these conditions.


Health InformationROUTINE IMMUNIZATIONS All volunteers should have the following up-to-date immunizations: DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus), polio, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), and varicella (if you have not already had chicken pox). Please be sure your tetanus shot is current.

• Malaria: while malaria rarely appears in the research area, it is still present, especially during the rainy season. we advise you to consult your physician about taking anti-malarial medication. The strain found in Costa Rica is not chloroquine resistant.

• Tuberculosis: Volunteers returning from developing countries are encouraged to have a (PPD)-tuberculin skin-test to screen for potential infection.

EMERGENCIES IN THE FIELD A doctor’s office and a dentist’s office are within five minutes of the project site. Anyone with an emergency can receive care at a clinic within 15 minutes of the site and a hospital within 45 minutes, in Santa Cruz.

Physician, nurse, or EMT on staff: Project staff members are not medical professionals.

Staff certified in safety trainingCPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation): Frank Paladino and Jacob Bryan

First Aid: Frank Paladino and Jacob Bryan

wilderness First Responder: Jacob Bryan

water Safety: Grant Dornfeld

Nearest hospital and clinic:Clinica Playa Grande

50m from Kike’s Place, featuring an on-call physician and pharmacy delivery service. The clinic is capable of handling general emergencies and rapidly transporting severe cases to Hospital de Santa Cruz, if needed.

Hospital de Santa Cruz

Full service 24-hour hospital in Santa Cruz

Distance from research site: 40km/25mi, 45 minutes to 1 hour by car.

Evacuation: If emergency medical evacuation is necessary, the project van is always available and the local airport in Tamarindo can be used to arrange flights out by small plane (within 12-24 hours).

Safety

ADVICE REGARDING DISEASESDiseases found in tropical regions may include malaria, dengue fever, cholera, tuberculosis, filariasis, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis, trypanosomiasis, schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, hepatitis, leptospirosis, chikunguya, polio, tick-borne encephalitis, plague, and typhoid. Traveler’s diarrhea also affects many international travelers. Please see the CDC (www�cdc�gov) or wHO (www�who�int) websites for more information on these conditions and how to avoid them.

you can decrease your risk of most diseases listed above by practicing good hygiene, drinking only filtered or bottled water when appropriate, and avoiding mosquito bites.

A few notes on vaccinations and treatment:

PROJECT VACCINATIONS

Medical decisions are the responsibility of each volunteer and his/her doctor, and the following are recommendations only. Earthwatch can only provide details regarding suggested vaccinations, and we are not a medical organization.REQUIRED: If traveling from countries or region where yellow fever is endemic, you must have a certificate of vaccination.

RECOMMENDED FOR HEALTH REASONS: Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B


INSURANCE MedEvac assistance, advice, and insurance are included in the contribution you pay to Earthwatch. This covers trip cancellation and your travel medical risks while you are traveling. This coverage is valid in the country of your Earthwatch expedition (Note: For US volunteers, as long as the expedition is over 100 miles from your place of residence) and during travel to and from your expedition. If you have additional vacation time before and/or after your Earthwatch expedition, it is not covered under this policy. This insurance policy is secondary to your existing health insurance policy (e.g. the NHS in the UK).

Please see the Earthwatch website for more information on this insurance, and about additional insurance available for coverage before or after your Earthwatch expedition:

If you signed up through Earthwatch UK/Europe, or Earthwatch Japan, visit: www�earthwatch�org/europe/insuranceinfo.

If you signed up through Earthwatch US, visit: www�earthwatch�org/insurance.

Please refer any further queries regarding Earthwatch’s policy to Earthwatch’s Operations Department at +1-978 450-1222 or [email protected].

EMERGENCy MEDICAL AND EVACUATION ASSISTANCE Emergency medical and evacuation assistance from CEGA Medical, a twenty-four-hour international service, is also included in your contribution. Please see the contact information in the In Case of Emergency section.

For non-emergency information from CEGA, such as advice on visas and vaccine requirements, you may call the CEGA Non-Emergency Medical and Travel Advice helpline at +44 (0) 20 3059 8770.


Project Staffyour Resources in the Field

Ms� Jennifer Swiggs, a master’s student, investigates the population of Pacific green sea turtles that nest within Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas. She looks forward to incorporating this work into the Earthwatch experience. This will be Jennifer’s first year involved with the project, and her first year as field team leader. Teams: 1-10�

Mr� Jacob Bryan, a master’s student, studies olive ridley turtles. His exact research topic is still being worked out. Teams: 1-10.

Earthwatch scientist Dr� Frank V� Paladino researches comparative vertebrate physiological ecology, and has been a professor at Indiana-Purdue University in Fort wayne, Indiana for over 26 years. He has published more than 60 scientific papers in reviewed professional journals on animals ranging from songbirds to elephants to fish to sea turtles. Since 1988 he has researched sea turtles in Costa Rica, and he spends as much time as possible sharing his knowledge with the field team and volunteers in Costa Rica; however, he must spend a portion of each nesting season devoted to professorial duties on campus. Teams: 1, 2, 6, and 7�

Earthwatch scientist Dr� Bibi Santidrian Tomillo, the science director with the Leatherback Trust, has worked with this project for over 10 years. Her areas of expertise include population biology, marine biology, and conservation, and her current research focuses on the effect of climatic events on hatching success of leatherback turtles and other reptile species. She supervises the research done from the field station and connects research and management by working closely with the national park authorities. Teams: 1-10�

Ms� Chelsea Clyde-Brockway, a master’s student, will be studying the energetics and migrations of Pacific green sea turtle. This will be Chelsea’s second year with the project. Her love of all reptiles is rivaled by few. Teams: 1-5�

Mr� Grant Dornfeld is the brother of a former field team leader, Tera Dornfeld. Grant graduated college with a degree in environmental science, and has worked on a number of field research projects. This will be his first year on the Costa Rican Sea Turtles project. Teams: 1-10�


Recommended Readingyour Resources at Home

RESOURCES

BOOKSSafina, C. 2006. Voyage of the Turtle. Henry Holt.

Spotila, J.R. 2004. Sea Turtles. Johns Hopkins Press.

ARTICLE Spotila, J.R. et al. 2000. Pacific Leatherback turtles face extinction. Nature, June 1.

JOURNAL Chelonian Conservation and Biology

FIELD GUIDEBlake, B. 2005. The New Key to Costa Rica. 17th Edition. Available online at www.keytocostarica.com.

FILMRed Turtle Rising. 1999.

PROJECT-RELATED wEBSITESThe Leatherback Trust: http://www�leatherback�org. Describes our location and the work being done, with regular updates on the progress of the various projects and results from previous years.

The Leatherback Trust blog: http://theleatherbacktrust�blogspot�com

The Goldring-Gund Marine Biological Station on Facebook: https://www�facebook�com/pages/Goldring-Gund-Marine-Biology-Station-Costa-Rica/271177192822.

EARTHwATCH’S VOLUNTEER RESOURCESPlease see Earthwatch’s Volunteer Resources pages for additional information on:

• Travel agencies with whom Earthwatch volunteers can get preferential rates

• Recommended kit and clothing providers

• Recommended travel booksellers

Volunteers who sign up through our US office, please visit: www�earthwatch�org/volunteerresources

Volunteers who sign up through our UK office, please visit: www�earthwatch�org/europe/volunteerresources

Find Earthwatch on Facebook at facebook.com/Earthwatch, follow us on Twitter at @earthwatch_org, and see videos of many Earthwatch expeditions on youTube at youtube.com/earthwatchinstitute. If you’re on Twitter, use the hashtag “#globaltweet” when in the field with Earthwatch to help literally put your work on the map of worldwide volunteering efforts. we also invite you to use the Facebook and TurnTo plug-in features right on our website’s expedition pages to connect with other volunteers and staff.


This document contains important information concerning Earthwatch Institute policies and participant rights and responsibilities for inclusion on an Earthwatch expedition. Please read this document thoroughly and sign the enclosed Liability Release form to indicate that you understand and accept the risks inherent to your expedition and the policies, rights, and responsibilities enumerated in this document. Participants will not be permitted to partake in an expedition until Earthwatch has received the signed release form.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTy RIGHTSIt is permissible to share photos, videos, and stories of your expedition with family, friends, local media, and in a public forum. Sharing your new perspectives and experiences is welcomed and encouraged.

However, please recognize that all information, data, and images shared or gathered in the course of your expedition’s field work become the intellectual property of the Earthwatch scientist (ES). Co-opting or plagiarism of data, images or information gathered during an expedition for use in a scientific thesis, masters or PhD work, or for profit or for the academic or business use of a third party without the permission of the ES is strictly prohibited. Please be aware that data gathered during the interviewing of local people becomes the intellectual property of the ES. Earthwatch scientists have the right to

Participant Rights and Responsibilities

place additional restrictions on your ability to share data or certain research-related images.

Conversely, an Earthwatch scientist may give written permission to use data and images for academic or profitable activity. Please be sure to ask what is acceptable to the Earthwatch scientist.

Fellows or scholarship recipients are sometimes required to submit a written report reflecting what they have learned on a project, sometimes as a step toward developing a curriculum. Earthwatch scientists have the right but not obligation to review and edit materials involving information gathered on one of their expeditions.

DISCRIMINATIONEarthwatch does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or any other reason prohibited by applicable law and respects participants’ right to privacy. However, you must be aware that local laws in countries in which Earthwatch operates may not be anti-discriminatory and that the possibilities exist that local residents may not have an awareness of best practice regarding discrimination.

Discrimination on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation will not be tolerated on Earthwatch teams. Disruptive behavior, or verbal, physical or any other type of abuse or harassment will also not be tolerated. Violation of Earthwatch’s non-discrimination policy is grounds for expulsion from the program without a refund.

INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPSEarthwatch scientists, their staff, their colleagues, and their associates are prohibited from becoming romantically involved with participants during the entire duration of the period that the team is in the field. Romantic relationships that may otherwise seem permissible may eventually create an unpleasant or unproductive work environment and are therefore strongly discouraged for the duration of an Earthwatch project.

SEXUAL HARASSMENTPlease recognize that the relationship that exists between Earthwatch scientists and staff and participants is analogous to the student-teacher relationship. Therefore, please be aware of the following policies.


Sexual harassment of participants by the Earthwatch scientist or Earthwatch staff is prohibited. Likewise, sexual harassment of other participants, Earthwatch field staff, or local people by participants is also prohibited.

Sexual harassment infringes on an individual’s right to an environment free from unsolicited and unwelcome sexual overtones of conduct either verbal or physical. Sexual harassment does not mean occasional compliments of a socially acceptable nature.

Sexual harassment refers to conduct which is offensive, which harms morale, or which interferes with the effectiveness of Earthwatch expedition teams; such conduct is prohibited. Lewd or vulgar remarks, suggestive comments, displaying derogatory posters, cartoons or drawings, pressure for dates or sexual favors and unacceptable physical contact or exposure are examples of what can constitute harassment. No one should be touched in areas that otherwise would be covered by a bathing suit. It is important to realize that what may not be offensive to you, may be offensive to participants, the local population, and Earthwatch field staff.

Any individual who feels subjected to sexual harassment or has any knowledge of such behavior should report it at once to his or her PI or to Earthwatch staff members. All Earthwatch scientists and Field Team Leaders (FTLs)

will notify Earthwatch immediately when an accusation of sexual harassment or abuse is made or witnessed.

All reports of sexual harassment will be handled with discretion and will be promptly and thoroughly investigated. Any participant who is found to have engaged in conduct constituting sexual harassment will be immediately removed from the expedition at his or her own expense. If a minor is immediately involved in allegations of sexual harassment, his or her parents will be contacted.

DRUGSLaws on drug use in most countries are severe and may carry lengthy imprisonment or death penalties. I understand and accept that the manufacture, possession, use, purchase and/or sale of illegal drugs or other illegal substances while on an Earthwatch expedition is strictly prohibited. Prescription drugs may only be purchased and used by the individual indicated on the prescription in keeping with their intended use guidelines.

ALCOHOL Local statutes, customs, practices, ordinances, and regulations with regard to the use, possession, sale, or purchase of alcohol are applicable to all participants


and project staff in Earthwatch expeditions. Participants and project staff on Earthwatch expeditions must comply with the law of the country in which a project is located regarding the minimum age required to consume alcohol. In addition, restriction on the use, possession, sale, or purchase of alcohol may be set by the Earthwatch scientist. Any restrictions on the consumption of alcohol should be clearly outlined by the project staff in the briefing to participants at the start of the project, and in the Expedition Briefing.

Consumption or possession of alcohol or smoking is not permitted on any Earthwatch Teen Team, regardless of local law.

Excessive consumption of alcohol by staff or participants is not acceptable on any Earthwatch project. Intoxication can jeopardize personal safety, in addition to the safety of the team. It can also cause delay, and hinder response in the event of a crisis or emergency situation.

Earthwatch staff and the Earthwatch scientist have the discretion to remove individuals from the project who consume alcohol in a time and manner that endanger the safety and/or productivity of the expedition.

MINORSEarthwatch considers participants under eighteen (18) years of age to be minors. Minors are not permitted

to participate on any of Earthwatch’s standard teams unless accompanied by a parent or guardian in which case the minimum age is sixteen (16). Minors on regular teams do not receive additional guidance or supervision from Earthwatch beyond what is offered to the adult participants. The number of minors on regular teams is limited to two (2) per team. Earthwatch has developed teams specifically for 16 and 17 year olds (“Teen Teams”) as well as teams specifically for families (“Family Teams”) with children as young as 10 years old. These teams focus on the same research activities and have the same expectations as our regular teams, but with more facilitation and support. Exceptions for some projects are made at the discretion of Earthwatch and the Earthwatch scientist. Due to a more in-depth screening process for certain programs that select candidates based on school year rather than age, there may be 18 year olds fielding on the same team as 16 and 17 year olds. Please be aware that some Earthwatch projects do not allow participation by minors in any circumstance.

PARTICIPANTS AND DRIVINGParticipants are not allowed to drive project vehicles or aircraft during an expedition. In select circumstances, participants may be able to drive boats under the direct supervision by project staff. These circumstances are pre-determined by project staff in collaboration with


Earthwatch. Participants must respect the restrictions for boat driving in place for each project.

If a project environment is such that participants can drive their own vehicles to the rendezvous, those who have driven themselves to the project may not drive their own vehicles to, from or for project activities, including the transport of project equipment after arriving at the site.

Participants who have driven themselves to the project may choose to utilize their own vehicle during recreational time, but project staff will brief them on the driving restrictions. All driving during recreational time is done at your own risk.

Please be advised that the only exception to the above driving restrictions is emergency situations.

Riding in other participants’ vehicles is not covered under the participants’ insurance policy for the expedition. Riding in another participant’s vehicle is done at a participant’s own risk.

IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCyIn the event of emergencies, judgments must be made by Earthwatch field staff and participants. while Earthwatch makes an effort to ensure that qualified people make the most informed decisions possible, occasionally first aid may be administered and other immediate steps taken by expedition participants who are not licensed medical providers.

Each Earthwatch expedition has safety protocols and emergency procedures in place. Earthwatch encourages team members (the field staff and participants) to exercise their best judgment with regard to their own safety and the safety of other team members. Other participants may perform “Good Samaritan” actions, or actions taken to assist fellow participants during emergency situations in the field. However, Earthwatch does not encourage or expect you to jeopardize your own safety or that of others in attempting to rescue or assist your fellow team members.

RIGHT OF REFUSALEarthwatch reserves the right to refuse an applicant’s participation on Earthwatch projects at any time and to terminate any work being done by a participant and require the participant to vacate the project site if any of the Earthwatch Expedition Team in his or her absolute discretion considers it appropriate. In this event, the

participant (and his/ her parent/ guardian, if appropriate) will be responsible for arranging and paying for any accommodation, travel or other arrangements which may be necessary following the termination of a participant’s involvement in a project, for whatever reason and may not be eligible for a refund.

Earthwatch and the project staff may not refuse a participant for discriminatory reasons (race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, or any other reason prohibited by applicable law). Earthwatch will make reasonable efforts to accommodate participants with disabilities and the organization endeavors to find appropriate expeditions for those participants that have physical limitations. Refusal of a participant is an unusual event and is generally due to either an applicant’s failure to meet the essential eligibility requirements of a particular project, or in the interest of team compatibility. In the event that an applicant is refused participation, Earthwatch will refund in full any deposit or payment made toward the expedition.

Earthwatch scientists have the right to refuse special requests, such as media visits (film, photography or print), special groups or teams (students, donors, etc.), if they conflict with Earthwatch scientist schedules, safety, research objectives or general performance of the team.

Any participant found in violation of any of the policies described in this document (“Earthwatch Institute Policies & Participant Rights and Responsibilities”) is subject to removal from the team at their own expense. By signing the “Liability Release” form, participants are indicating that they have read and understand the policies in this document. Removal of a participant from a team is at the discretion of the Earthwatch scientist or Field Team Leader and Earthwatch staff. In addition, Earthwatch will support the right of the scientist to send participants away from a project once in the field should their behavior compromise the safety, research objectives or general performance of the team, or if the participant has violated a stated policy. In the event that a minor is dismissed from a project, Earthwatch will contact the participant’s parents or legal guardian prior to their dismissal. Should a participant be removed from a team, he/she is responsible for any or all costs associated with departure from the team and will receive no refund of the share of costs of the expedition nor any expenses incurred in participation on the expedition.

(November 2010)


ContactsVOLUNTEER CONTACT INFOContact Information

EMERGENCy COMMUNICATIONS A fax machine and telephone are available for emergencies 24 hours a day at the research station. The phone/fax number is +506 (2) 653-0635. we also use two-way Motorola radios in the field, so can quickly communicate any emergencies that occur while working on the beach.

PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS when you arrive, you’ll have the chance to make a brief call to family or friends. you will be responsible for the costs of all personal communications.

• As mentioned before, the field station has wireless Internet and one computer that all volunteers can share. Also, when the team visits Tamarindo (usually once during the expedition, you can visit an Internet café to check and send email.

• Playa Grande and Tamarindo have plenty of phones and fax machines available for regular, non-emergency communications. Phone cards for the local payphone (right outside the field station in front of the adjacent hotel) can be purchased in the San Jose airport. If you do not have a toll-free calling card, you will be charged a fee of US$1.50 for a collect call.

• Most international cell phones work in Costa Rica, and the reception in the area is fair to good. Check with your service provider for any questions about international calling.

Family and friends of volunteers should note that personal communication in not always possible while volunteers are on an expedition. Earthwatch encourages volunteers to minimize outgoing calls, and family and friends should restrict calls to urgent messages only.

Address Goldring Marine Biology Field Station Playa Grande, Santa Cruz Guanacaste, Costa Rica

A First Class letter would take a minimum of 10 days to arrive from the United States, and slightly longer from Europe; therefore, communication via mail is not recommended.

Phone/Fax (in order of preference)

+506 (2) 653-0635 +506 (8) 384-7661 +506 (2) 653-0834

Field station (phone/fax/answer machine) Project mobile phone Centro Vacacional Playa Grande – volunteer accommodations (phone/fax).

Email [email protected]

It is recommended that friends and family contact at least two of these numbers if the matter is urgent�


welcome Letter

Earthwatch’s 24-Hour HelplineIf you need help at any time, call Earthwatch’s 24-hour on-call duty officer in the US:

+1 (978) 461-0081

+1 (800) 776-0188

Note: The 800-number works as a toll free call only for calls placed within the US.

After business hours, leave your message with our live answering service. State that you have an emergency communication and leave a clear message with the name of the field program, your name, location from which you are calling, and if possible, a phone number where you can be reached. An Earthwatch staff person will be contacted and will respond to your call within one hour.

Medical and Security Assistance Helpline Numbers(For assistance while in the field)

when calling any of the helplines, please mention Earthwatch and policy reference number 560020011200.

CEGA Emergency Medical & Travel Assistance:

+44 (0)20 3059 8770

you may call this number collect or reverse charges if necessary in a medical emergency.

Henderson Risk Security Assistance and Advice:

+44 (0)20 3059 8772

axisenquiries@hendersonrisk�com

Dear Earthwatch Volunteers,

welcome to the Costa Rican Sea Turtles expedition! This is the project’s 24th year in the Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas, and it promises to be another exciting adventure.

In Costa Rica, one of the world’s most biologically diverse countries, visitors can find plenty to see and do. Most importantly, the leatherbacks are remarkable. watching one of these huge animals haul itself onto the beach and lay its eggs is a fantastic experience. Our scientists and staff are highly trained, motivated, and experienced in field biology, and look forward to working with you.

The primary goal of the expedition is to gain a better understanding of the nesting and population biology of this endangered turtle on the beaches of Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas. These beaches are crucial for the Pacific population of this species, and your assistance will allow a more complete documentation of where the turtles nest, how often they return each season, and how many of the eggs laid actually hatch. In addition, we protect nests from destruction due to human, animal, and tidal action. you will interact with the ecotourist traffic on the beach and with national park guards who are extremely passionate about turtle biology and conservation.

we are sure that there will be plenty to do and that you’ll have an excellent time.

See you in Playa Grande!

Frank V. Paladino, Ph.D.

Bibi Santidrian Tomillo, Ph.D.

Jennifer Swiggs

Chelsea Clyde-Brockway

Jacob Bryan

Earthwatch US 114 western Ave. Boston, MA 02134

[email protected] www. earthwatch.org

Phone: 1-978-450-1246 Toll-Free: 1-800-776-0188 Fax: 1-978-461-2332

Earthwatch Europe Mayfield House 256 Banbury Rd. Oxford, OX2 7DE United Kingdom

[email protected] www.earthwatch.org.uk

Phone: 44-0-1865-318-838 Fax: 44-0-1865-311-383

Earthwatch Australia 126 Bank St. South Melbourne, VIC 3205 Australia

[email protected] www.earthwatch.org/australia

Phone: 61-0-3-9682-6828 Fax: 61-0-3-9686-3652

Earthwatch Japan Sanbancho Ty Plaza 5F Sanbancho 24-25, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 102-0075 Japan

[email protected] www.earthwatch.jp

Phone: 81-0-3-3511-3360 Fax: 81-0-3-3511-3364

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