EARTHWATCH 2015
FOLLOWING DARWIN’S
FINCHES IN THE GALÁPAGOS
DEAR EARTHWATCHER,
It is a real pleasure to welcome you to Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galápagos expedition. On this expedition you
will have the opportunity to visit Galápagos Islands, one of the most enchanted places on our planet, while helping us with
our research on Darwin’s finches, one of the most iconic species in evolutionary biology. Your support as volunteer will be
invaluable for us as we try to understand the evolutionary processes that promote the diversification of finches, as well as
how human disturbances could affect these processes. This issue is of extreme importance in our current times given
the complex ways that humans interact with the natural world. With this project, we hope to contribute to a more general
understanding of how the biodiversity of our planet might fare in the face of continuing human disturbances.
By interacting with our dynamic team of scientists in the field, we hope that you will get hands-on experience in the use
of the basic tools and techniques for data collection in ecology and evolution. You will also gain insight into how scientific
knowledge is generated.
We thank you very much for your support. We’re glad that you can join us in this exciting endeavor to increase our
scientific knowledge about the natural world.
Sincerely,
Dr. Luis Fernando De León
Institute for Scientific Research and High Technological Services
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EARTHWATCHINSTITUTE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION............................... 2
EXPEDITION PACKING CHECKLIST................. 4
THE RESEARCH............................................. 6
DESTINATION................................................ 8
DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD.............................. 10
ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD...................... 12
TRAVEL TIPS................................................ 14
PROJECT CONDITIONS.................................. 16
SAFETY........................................................ 18
PROJECT STAFF...........................................20
RECOMMENDED READING............................ 21
PARTICIPANT RIGHTS
AND RESPONSIBILITIES ..............................22
COMMUNICATIONS........................................26
Images © Luis Fernando De León, Andrew Hendry
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
1
GENERAL INFORMATION
FOLLOWING DARWIN’S FINCHES IN THE GALÁPAGOS
EARTHWATCH SCIENTIST: Dr. Luis Fernando De León
EXPEDITION DATES:
RESEARCH SITE: Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos, Ecuador
Team 1: Jan. 4–13, 2015
Team 2: Jan. 15–24, 2015
Complete travel information is not
available in this version of the briefing.
Team 3: Jan. 26–Feb. 04, 2015
Please contact Earthwatch
with any questions.
2
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
TRIP PLANNER
TO DO IMMEDIATELY
q Make sure you understand and agree to Earthwatch
policies and participant responsibilities.
ake sure you have all the necessary vaccinations
qM
for your project site (see the Health Information section,
pg. 18).
90 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION
ring your level of fitness up to the standards required
qB
(see the Project Conditions section, pg. 16).
q Log in at earthwatch.org to complete your
volunteer forms.
60 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION
q Send EW a color copy of your passport and most
current CV/Resume
eview the packing list (pg. 4) to make sure you have all
qR
the clothing, personal supplies, and equipment needed.
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.
q Pay any outstanding balance on your expedition.
q Book travel arrangements.
q If you plan to purchase additional travel insurance,
note that some policies require purchase when your
expedition is booked (see the Insurance section,
pg. 19, for more information).
30 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION
eave the Earthwatch 24-hour helpline number with
qL
a friend or relative (see pg. 26).
eave copies of your passport, visa, and airline tickets
qL
with a friend or relative.
onfirm your travel arrangements.
qC
q 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,
pg. 15, for more details).
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 effort to keep
you well informed before you go into the field.
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
3
EXPEDITION PACKING CHECKLIST
REQUIRED ITEMS
BEDDING AND BATHING
GENERAL
Sheets, blankets, pillows, and towels will be provided
by the accommodations.
q This expedition briefing
q 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
q Passport and/or visa (if necessary)
ertification of vaccination (if necessary)
qC
for travel by minors (if necessary)
q Documentation
(see Volunteers Under 18 Years of Age in the Travel Tips
section, pg. 15)
PERSONAL SUPPLIES
q Personal toiletries (biodegradable soaps and shampoos
are encouraged)
q Personal first aid kit (e.g., antibacterial wipes or lotion,
antidiarrhea pills, antibiotics, antiseptic, itch-relief, pain
reliever, bandages, blister covers, etc.) and personal
medications
q Headlamp with extra batteries and extra bulb
q Spending money
CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR FOR FIELDWORK
SUGGESTED ITEMS
q Earthwatch T-shirt
q Bathing suit
q Three to four T-shirts
q Mask and snorkel
q Two to three lightweight, quick-drying, long-sleeved
shirts
q Binoculars
wo to three pairs of quick-drying long pants
qT
ide-brimmed sun hat
qW
q Socks
q Hiking boots
q Waterproof jacket and trousers (some of our work areas
have long grass that can get very wet after rain)
CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR FOR LEISURE
q At least one set of clothing to keep clean for end
of expedition
q Camera, film or memory card(s), extra camera battery
q Drybag or plastic sealable bags (good for protecting
equipment like cameras from dust, humidity, and water)
q Hardware for sharing digital photographs at the end
of the expedition
ravel guide
q T
q Books, games, journal, art supplies, etc. for free time
q Hammock
NOTE: Packing lists are accurate to the best of
Earthwatch’s knowledge at the time of publication.
q Shorts for relaxing around the field station
q Two to three changes of nicer clothes to wear into town
for dinner
andals or other light footwear
qS
FIELD SUPPLIES
q Small daypack
q Insect repellent spray
q Two one-liter water bottles
igh-SPF sunscreen
qH
unglasses
qS
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Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
5
THE RESEARCH
FOLLOWING DARWIN’S FINCHES IN THE GALÁPAGOS
THE STORY
Humans have had a huge impact on the fragile ecosystem
of the Galápagos Islands, often in obvious ways: clearing forests,
overfishing, introducing new species that wreak havoc on the
native environment. This research focuses on a more subtle
human impact: how introduced foods could change the face—
literally—of the iconic Darwin’s finches.
You’ll primarily focus on the medium ground finch (Geospiza
fortis) on this expedition. Like other Darwin’s finch species,
these birds evolved to have a tight link between beak size and
size of seeds they eat, a link that’s essential to their survival.
The previous work of the researchers leading this expedition
suggests that small-beaked finches thrive because they can
easily handle the abundant small seeds, while large-beaked
finches thrive because they can easily handle abundant large
seeds. Finches with medium-sized beaks, however, have lower
chances of survival and are less abundant because of a dearth
of medium-sized seeds. These natural dynamics are important,
because they maintain the distinction and balance between the
small- and large-beaked finches.
6
But on the island of Santa Cruz in the areas around Puerto
Ayora, the archipelago’s largest town, finches have started
to depend on human food staples like rice. This change seems
to be eroding the distinction between the large-beaked and
small-beaked finches and creating a population of “lazier”
birds—finches that don’t have to work hard to find the right food
for their beak size and shape. This has allowed for an increase
in the number of birds with medium-sized beaks that might not
have survived in natural conditions. This shift indicates that
human influences in finch diet might be weakening the process
of natural selection that maintains the divergence between
populations and species.
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
RESEARCH AIMS
With your help, these researchers will deepen their investigation
into how introduced food is changing the medium ground finch
and other ground finches. This study will have important
long-term implications regarding the evolution and preservation
of Darwin’s finches in the Galápagos Islands, and possibly other
species around the world. It will help illuminate how humans
can impact the evolutionary processes, and it will provide some
guidelines for the conservation of Darwin’s finches in face of
increasing human disturbance. The research can also help raise
awareness of the unexpected ways humans trigger the decay of
biodiversity, even in one of the best-protected places in the world.
When Charles Darwin observed the group of finch species that
eventually inherited his name, he began to articulate for the first
time how evolution works. These birds still offer valuable
insights into evolutionary processes and can tell us much more
about how we humans reshape those processes. Your work will
help conserve the distinctions that make these historically and
biologically significant species what they are.
HOW YOU WILL HELP
You’ll study finch populations around the most populated areas
of Santa Cruz Island and compare them with finches at sites that
have been less influenced by human activities. In particular,
you’ll help:
Catch ground finches to assess their abundance, their variation
in beak size and shape. You’ll help the researchers set up and
monitor mist nets (lightweight nets with pockets that catch and
hold birds). When a finch is caught, the team will:
• Take the birds out of the mist net.
• Take measurements of their beak size, head size, and
body dimensions.
• Photograph the birds. Researchers later will enter these
photographs into a computer program that analyzes beak
shape and size variation between finches.
• Collect blood samples for population genetics analyses.
• Band each bird with a combination of one metal band and
three color bands so that it can be identified later.
• E stimate the abundance and density of birds at the study sites,
using both catch rates from the mist nets and how many birds
we see on transect surveys (described below).
Each bird will then get a drop of sugar water and be released
unharmed at the site of capture. You may only observe some
of these tasks, such as the morphological measurements and
extraction of blood samples, which need to be done by an expert.
Analyze finch diets and finch interaction with humans. At both
populated and more isolated spots, you’ll use binoculars to
observe finches during their normal feeding behavior and
record what and how much they eat.
Examine finch interaction with human and human foods.
You will also help develop field experiments to quantify how
finch respond to human food items and how they behave in the
presence of humans. This experiments will be performed at
both the populates areas and at more isolated sites.
Monitor mate choice. The team will also observe the mate
preference of banded birds at the study sites. This will help
illustrate how females choose between small- and large-beaked
birds as mates in the context of human disturbances.
Manage data. You’ll help enter and organize the data collected
into computer programs, an important step that helps the
scientists back up valuable field data and prepare it for
statistical analysis.
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
7
YOUR DESTINATION
ABOUT THE GALÁPAGOS
The Galápagos Islands are truly like no other place on Earth.
Discovered in 1535, they still have nearly all the species Darwin
saw in 1835, in stark contrast to other isolated places where
humans have settled (like Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, and
Australia) and decimated the native fauna. The Galápagos are an
archipelago of 13 major islands and over a hundred smaller
islands that are part of Ecuador, though they straddle the
Equator about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) off the Ecuadorian
coast. These islands host an amazing array of endemic animal
species: Galápagos giant tortoises, terrestrial and land iguanas,
fur seals and sea lions, sharks, rays, and 26 species of native
birds—14 of which make up the group known as Darwin’s
finches. These finches are notoriously difficult to identify; widely
considered the fastest-evolving vertebrates, their appearance
and behavior quickly adapt to this closed and rapidly changing
environment. As part of this project, you’ll benefit from the
expert knowledge of researchers who work with these finches
daily and can correctly identify them—something many tour
guides can’t do reliably.
8
Although the climate of the islands is comfortable for humans,
the conditions are extremely variable for the wildlife. In some
years not a drop of rain falls, while in others it pours. These
unpredictable, extreme conditions strongly select for different
traits that survive across years, and we can literally see and
measure these changes from one year to the next. We expect
to see such changes in finches, because the abundance
of different food sources varies with the weather.
Four of the islands—Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela, and
Floreana—have significant human populations. You’ll visit Santa
Cruz on this expedition, which has a bustling population of about
20,000 people. You’ll find guided tours of active volcanic areas,
forests, wildlife hotspots, and snorkeling and diving reefs. You
may get to visit the free-ranging tortoises at the island’s tortoise
reserves, or take a day trip to a nearby island to see sea lion,
frigate bird, and booby colonies. You’ll also find restaurants
and the usual amenities associated with any urban center.
The main town, Puerto Ayora, where you will be staying, is the
headquarters of the national park and the Charles Darwin
Research Station, and there you can visit the interpretation
center and beautiful Tortuga Bay.
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
Your work days, though, may well prove to be the most exciting
time you spend in the Galápagos—because you’re participating
in a research project, you’ll become thoroughly familiar with
wildlife on Santa Cruz, especially finches. The team usually
works in coastal lowland areas around the main human
settlements on the Island, although we also work at one
highlands site. In the lowland zone you’ll experience the typical
Galápagos landscape, composed of native scrub plant species
and Opuntia, or prickly pear, cacti. Finches build their nests in
these cacti, so researchers often spot finch pairs raising their
nestlings. These areas are typically arid, but during the rainy
season (January to May), showers can transform the dry
landscape into a green carpet of vegetation. The variability
of the climate here influences how and when plants fruit and
seeds, which in turn determines finch reproductive success.
This dynamic gives researchers an excellent opportunity to
study how human-introduced foods shape finch populations.
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
9
DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD
PLANS AND POLICIES
Your days will start bright and early. After breakfast and a ride
to the day’s research site, you’ll begin work at around 6:00 a.m.
First, the team will set up mist-nets. When a finch is caught,
you’ll help the researchers take measurements, photograph
them, and take blood samples for genetic analysis. Other
members of the team will help with the finch-human
interaction experiments.
Once the morning’s work is done, the team will return to
Puerto Ayora for lunch and some afternoon data entry. The
late afternoons and early evenings will involve setting up more
nets, observing finches as they feed, or surveying vegetation,
and then you’ll head out for dinner.
RECREATIONAL DAY: Your team will have full day free during
this expedition, which gives you a great chance to explore. You
might wish to take a day tour of Floreana Island, one of Darwin’s
other stops in this fascinating archipelago, where you can
snorkel and see sea lions, tortoises, and other wildlife. Animals
also abount in Santa Cruz Island’s Academy Bay, another lovely
place to visit and snorkel.
EARTHWATCH RECREATIONAL TIME POLICY
Project 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, a requirement that will be clearly communicated on site.
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Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
HEAD 1
ITINERARY AND DAILY SCHEDULE
HEAD 2
Weather and research needs can lead to changes in the daily schedule. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.
TYPICAL ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrival and orientation in the afternoon
Day 2
Training and fieldwork
Days 3 to 5
Fieldwork
Day 6
Free day
Days 7 to 9
Fieldwork
Day 10
Departure
TYPICAL DAILY SCHEDULE
4:30 a.m.
Wake up and eat a quick breakfast
5:00 a.m.
Depart for the field (a 45-minute taxi ride)
5:50 a.m.
Set up nets to capture birds
10:00 a.m.
Close down nets and organizing equipment
11:00 a.m.
Depart for home
11:50 a.m.
Arrive home
12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Lunch time
2:00 p.m.
Check email; enter data
3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Set up more nets, feeding observations and/or plant survey
6:30 p.m.
Dinner and discussion of the research
9:00 p.m.
Time for bed
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
11
ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD
ABOUT YOUR HOME IN THE FIELD
SLEEPING
COMMUNICATIONS
You will stay in simple, but comfortable rooms at hotel Suites
Suños Silvestres. Each room has two single beds. The field
staff and scientists will stay at a nearby hotel.
There are many internet cafes in town which are a short
walk from the hotel.
BATHROOMS
Each room has an adjoined bathroom with a conventional toilet
and shower.
ELECTRICITY
Rooms have 110-volt electricity and U.S. sockets
(usually with two prongs).
12
DISTANCE FROM FIELD SITE
We will travel to the field site each day by taxi.
It’s approximately a 35-minute ride.
SERVICES AND RESTAURANTS IN
WALKING DISTANCE
The center of Puerto Ayora, about a 10-minute walk from the
hotel, has shops, banks, grocery stores, restaurants, bars,
and hotels. There are laundry facilities (approximately $4.00
per load), which the team can visit as needed throughout the
expedition; you can pick up or drop off laundry when passing
through Puerto Ayora for dinner or during your rest period
in the daytime.
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
FOOD
Types of food to expect (please be flexible in the field):
We will visit local restaurants in town (about a 20-minute walk
from the dorms) for dinner. We also may prepare meals as a
group. Because the Galápagos is a tourist destination, you can
often find good American food like hamburgers, pizza, and fries.
Local dishes often contain rice, beans, and meat or seafood.
Some fresh veggies and fruits are available at the local
supermarkets, but the selection may be limited.
BREAKFAST: Yogurt, granola, bananas, cereal, hard-boiled eggs
Options for vegetarian, vegan, and lactose- and gluten-free
diets are available, but may be limited in variety.
BEVERAGES: Juice
LUNCH: Instant soup, crackers, sandwiches
DINNER: Beans, rice, beef, chicken, fish, seafood
SNACKS: Granola bars, nuts, cookies
WATER: Tap water is NOT potable on Santa Cruz, but each
bedroom is stocked with gallon jugs of drinking water.
SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
Please alert Earthwatch to any special dietary requirements
(e.g., vegetarian or vegan diets, diabetes, lactose intolerance,
nut or other food allergies) as soon as possible, and note them
in the space provided on your volunteer forms.
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
13
TRAVEL TIPS
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE ROAD
LUGGAGE
YOUR DESTINATION
LOST OR DELAYED LUGGAGE: If your luggage goes astray,
please instruct the airline to deliver the bags to Baltra Airport
(Tel: +593 (5) 2526-146 or +593 (5) 2526-147, ext. 225). Staff will
arrange for pick it up from the airport as soon as possible.
LANGUAGE: Spanish. The project will be conducted in English.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS: Do not bring more luggage than
you can carry and handle on your own. If you’re traveling by air
and checking your luggage, we advise you to pack an extra set
of field clothing and personal essentials in your carry-on bag in
case your luggage is lost or delayed. Many airlines have strict
baggage policies. Please check with your airline(s) on baggage
weight limits, liquid restrictions, fees for checked baggage, etc.
TRANSFERRING 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, you will have to recheck your
luggage before flying on to your final destination.
MONEY MATTERS
LOCAL CURRENCY: The U.S. dollar (USD) is legal tender
in the Galápagos.
PERSONAL FUNDS: There are several ATMs in Puerto Ayora,
and credit cards are accepted at some of the tourist restaurants.
We suggest you bring about $300 in cash for entrance fees,
souvenir shopping, etc.
Remember that when you arrive in the Galápagos Islands,
you must pay two fees in cash: 1) a national park entrance
fee and 2) a fee for a Transit Control Card (Tarjeta de Control
de Transito), issued by the Consejo de Gobierno de Galápagos.
For the average visitor (adult, non-Ecuadorian) the national
park entrance fee is is USD$100. The fee for the transit control
card is $10.
CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS: The dress code is slightly more
conservative than in the U.S., so do not wear extremely casual or
revealing clothing in town (e.g., very short shorts, bathing suits).
ELECTRICITY: 120 volts, 60Hz (U.S. standard voltage) supplied
through type A (most common) or B sockets.
Plug Type A
Plug Type B
TIME ZONE: GMT -6 hours. For time worldwide with GMT/UTC,
see worldtimeserver.com.
TELEPHONE DIALING CODES: When calling Ecuador from
another country, dial the country’s international dial-out code,
followed by 593 and the number. When calling within Ecuador,
omit the 593 and dial 0. When calling another country from
Ecuador, dial 00, followed by the other country’s country code
and the number.
NOTE: 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.
These fees are accurate at the time of printing this briefing
and are subject to change.
14
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
WILL YOU NEED A PASSPORT?
SUGGESTED AGENCIES
Travelers coming to Ecuador from other countries must have
passports valid for a minimum of six months after the date of
entry into the country.
IN THE U.S.: Travisa; 212-613-2223; travisa.com
WILL YOU NEED A VISA?
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.
Citizens of the U.S., EU, Australia, Canada, 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.
REQUIRED INFORMATION: You will need to send your
passport, a Visa Application and Immigration Form, two to
four passport-size photos, and payment to the embassy or
visa agency (if applicable). You must also have a return or
onward ticket.
ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR TRAVEL
AUTHORIZATION (ESTA)
CONTACT INFORMATION: You may need to list this contact
info on your visa application and immigration form:
If you are traveling from outside the U.S. and have a stop
in the U.S., you must register through the ESTA program.
ESTA screens short-term visitors who are citizens of the
36 countries eligible for the U.S. Visa Waiver Program
(VWP). For a list of those countries, see travel.state.gov/
visa/temp/without/without_1990.html#countries.
Suites Suños Silvestres.
Av. 12 de Noviembre y Fragata,
Puerto Ayora, Galapagos
Tel: +593 (5) 2526-146 or +593 (5) 2526-147, ext. 225
Visitors have to complete ESTA at least three days before
traveling to the U.S. 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: esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/. As of publication, ESTA
costs approximately US$14.00.
INFORMATION FOR VOLUNTEERS
REQUIRING VISAS ONLY
TYPE OF VISA TO GET: Tourist
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 about the country’s foreign
labor laws or official scientific research permits and
credentials to which you won’t be able to respond on your
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 U.S. embassy
or consulate to find out how to apply. This process can take
weeks or even months. We strongly recommend using a visa
agency, which can both expedite and simplify the process.
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
COST OF A VISA: Generally between US$40 and $100, but
varies from country to country and can cost up to US$180.
A visa agency will charge an additional fee.
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 or 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: 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.
15
PROJECT CONDITIONS
THE FIELD ENVIRONMENT
GENERAL CONDITIONS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
This information is as accurate as possible, but please keep
in mind that conditions may change.
All participants must be able, independently or with the
assistance of a companion, to:
The Galápagos Archipelago lies on the equator, so it is usually
hot and sunny. To avoid the high temperatures, we stop work
between 10 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., but in general past volunteers
find the working conditions to be very hot—so bring your
sun protection!
q Follow verbal and/or visual instructions.
q Enjoy being outdoors for much of the day in hot, humid,
or rainy weather, often exposed to heat and sun for four
to six hours, with some mosquitoes.
q Hike approximately two kilometers per day on uneven terrain.
CONDITIONS
Averages are for the warm rainy season, from
December to May.
q Rise very early in the morning (4:30 a.m.) every day.
q Locate, focus on, identify, and observe distant objects with
the use of binoculars.
q Carry a light pack (less than eight kilograms/18 pounds).
HUMIDITY: 65% to 85%
TEMPERATURE RANGE: 27°C (80°F) to 32°C (90°F)
ALTITUDE: 0 to 500 m (1,640 ft)
RAINFALL: 38–62 mm (1.5–2.44 in)
16
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
POTENTIAL HAZARDS
Hazard Type
Associated Risks and Precautions
Transportation
Ecuadorian roads can be risky by Western standards due to fast drivers, rain, poor or no lighting, and poor road
conditions (especially in rural areas because of heavy rains). Santa Cruz has mainly tarmac roads, which can be
bumpy. We will avoid driving at night. You must wear a seatbelt whenever possible. Earthwatch participants may
not drive.
Terrain
Fieldwork requires walking on sometimes rocky and irregular terrain, so it is always possible to fall and/or to
twist an ankle. Although the terrain is mostly flat, there are small, loose, dry lava rocks that are very easy to
stumble over. Project staff will guide participants through wide, clear paths to avoid accidents.
Animals
Although the Galápagos has no large dangerous animals, you will encounter many wild animals in their natural
habitat. Always follow researchers’ instructions around wild animals.
The islands have four species of mildly poisonous snakes. You may also encounter spiders (including the dramatic
giant huntsman, which can be four inches across), the Galápagos centipede (it can be 12 inches long and has a
painful bite, but only presents a risk if you walk around at night with bare feet), and the Galápagos scorpion.
Biting insects (e.g., mosquitoes) are common; bring and use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants to
avoid bites as much as possible. Dengue fever, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, is present. You will also likely
encounter yellow paper wasps, aggressive wasps that build papery nests at about shoulder height in bushes.
Project staff will show you how to avoid these nests. The island also has fire ants, which have potent stings.
Those with allergies to insects should bring appropriate medications (antihistamines, at least two EpiPens, etc.),
indicate their allergy and treatment needs on their health form, and inform on-site staff about treatment needs
and the location of their medication.
Plants
Teams will encounter Opuntia cacti and other thorny plants that can be painful if one rubs against them.
Project staff will advise you and guide you over specific paths to avoid accidents.
Climate/Weather
Dehydration, heat exhaustion, sunburn, and other heat-related illnesses can occur, especially due to the proximity
to the Equator. To reduce risk, drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen of at least SPF 30 and appropriate
clothing. Dehydration from sweating can also happen. Bring water bottles that you can easily carry and refill with
water and electrolyte-replacing packets (if you wish).
Social/Cultural
Ecuadorians are friendly and welcoming, and the culture is generally tolerant and traditionally conservative.
Please be courteous to all people you meet in Ecuador—it is common to greet people, and considered rude
to ignore anyone passing you.
Swimming
Research activities do not involve swimming, but you can swim during recreational time.
Always tell project staff when, where, and with whom you plan to go swimming. Do not swim alone.
Personal Security
The Galápagos Islands have many visitors each year, and petty theft can happen. Theft and robbery are greater
risks on mainland Ecuador, so be cautious in transit and use common sense in urban centers like Quito and
Guayaquil. Travel in pairs or groups, avoid displays of money and valuables, take taxis, avoid travel at night, and
leave unnecessary valuables at home. In Quito, avoid the following areas at night due to the high risk of petty
crime: the old city center, city parks, Virgin of the Panecillo (El Panecillo) shrine, Calle Morales (also called Calle
La Ronda), El Tejar, Parroquia San Sebastián (old city), Gonzalez Suarez (old city), Avenida Cristóbal Colón (new
city), and the districts of La Mariscal, La Carolina, La Floresta, and La Marin. Also avoid hiking near the antennas
of Volcan Pichincha and the Teleferico (cable car).
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
17
SAFETY
HEALTH INFORMATION
ROUTINE 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.
Medical decisions are the responsibility of each volunteer and
his or her doctor, and the following are recommendations only.
Earthwatch can only provide details regarding suggested
vaccinations, and we are not a medical organization.
PROJECT VACCINATIONS
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 and B
ADVICE REGARDING DISEASES
Traveler’s diarrhea affects many international travelers.
Diseases found in Ecuador include malaria, dengue fever,
filariasis, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis, trypanosomiasis,
schistosomiasis, and viral encephalitis. Please see the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov) or the
World Health Organization (who.int) websites for more
information on these conditions and how to avoid them.
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.
•MALARIA: At the time of printing, there is no malaria found
on the Galápagos.
•DENGUE FEVER: The use of insect repellent is highly
recommended at dusk and dawn to reduce risk of the
mosquito-borne disease dengue fever, which is rare but
present on the Galápagos.
EMERGENCIES IN THE FIELD
PHYSICIAN, NURSE, OR EMT ON STAFF: Project staff members
are not medical professionals.
NEAREST MEDICAL FACILITY:
Hospital Cantonal Republica del Ecuador,
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz.
TEL: +593 (5) 252-6103.
Everywhere on the island is within approximately one hour
transport to the hospital (maximum 60 kilometers/37 miles).
There is also a clinic about a five-minute drive from the
accommodations.
You can decrease your risk of most diseases above by avoiding
mosquito bites, practicing good hygiene, and drinking only
bottled or filtered water when appropriate.
18
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
INSURANCE
Travel insurance is included in the contribution you pay to
Earthwatch. The insurance covers your travel medical risks,
including medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation,
while you are traveling. It also provides trip cancellation
insurance and baggage and personal money insurance. It does
not provide personal liability insurance. Earthwatch’s insurance
is applicable during travel to and from the expedition site and
the duration of the expedition, but does not apply to detours for
personal vacations made on the same trip. This insurance
policy is secondary to your existing health insurance policy.
For more information, please see earthwatch.org/expeditions/
travel-insurance. Refer any queries regarding Earthwatch’s
travel policy to our insurance liaison at +1 (978) 450-1222 or
[email protected].
If you booked through Earthwatch Australia, please contact
them at +61 (0) 9016 7590 or [email protected]
for any queries.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL AND
EVACUATION ASSISTANCE
For emergency assistance in the field, please contact
Earthwatch’s 24-hour emergency hotline number highlighted
in the box. You may also contact our assistance provider,
Healix International, at the number highlighted in the event of
a medical or evacuation emergency or for routine medical and
travel advice, such as advice on visas and vaccine requirements.
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
EARTHWATCH’S 24-HOUR EMERGENCY
HOTLINE (OUTSIDE AUSTRALIA)
Call Earthwatch’s 24-hour on-call duty officer in the U.S.:
+1 (978) 461-0081
+1 (800) 776-0188 (toll-free for calls placed from within the U.S.)
HEALIX INTERNATIONAL:
+44-20-3667-8991 (collect calls and reverse charges accepted)
U.S. TOLL FREE: +1-877-759 3917
U.K. FREE PHONE: 0-800-19-5180
EMAIL: [email protected]
EARTHWATCH’S 24-HOUR EMERGENCY
HOTLINE (WITHIN AUSTRALIA):
+61-0-3-8508-5537
After business hours, leave a message with our live
answering service. State that you have an emergency
and give the name of your expedition, your name, the
location from which you are calling, and if possible, a
phone number where you can be reached. An Earthwatch
staff person will respond to your call within one hour.
19
PROJECT STAFF
YOUR RESOURCES IN THE FIELD
EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGIST LUIS FERNANDO DE LEÓN completed his Ph.D. at McGill University
in Canada and is currently a researcher at the Institute for Scientific Research and High Technological
Services in Panama. He studies the microevolutionary processes that promote and maintain biological
diversification. He also interested in how human activities affect evolutionary processes in natural
populations. In his research, Luis Fernando currently uses two study systems: Darwin’s finches
of the Galápagos and freshwater fish in Panama. Present on all teams.
DR. JEFFREY PODOS is a professor of biology at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where is also
graduate program director for Organismic and Evolutionary Biology. He studies vocal behavior and
evolution in songbirds in the U.S., Ecuador, and Brazil. This will be his 12th visit to the Galápagos.
In recent years Jeff has served on the editorial boards of two journals, and recently completed a stint
on the Executive Committee of the Animal Behavior Society. He was also recently named a fellow
of the American Ornithologists Union. TBA
DR. ANDREW HENDRY is a professor at McGill University. His research focuses on how evolutionary
changes occur in natural populations, particularly on how rapidly populations can adapt to changing
environmental conditions. He has worked on salmon in Alaska and New Zealand, guppies in Trinidad,
stickleback fishes in British Columbia, lemon sharks in Bahamas, and Darwin’s finches in Galápagos. TBA
DR. DIANA SHARPE is a postdoctoral fellow at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama.
She studies how natural populations adapt to rapid environmental change, particularly change caused
by human stressors. She has explored this question in tropical systems that include studies of native
freshwater fishes in Lake Victoria (East Africa) and Lake Gatun (Panama), and more recently, Darwin’s
finches. Team 1 and Team 2.
EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGIST DR. JAIME CHAVES is interested in the processes that generate and maintain
biodiversity. By combining molecular genetic markers and phenotypic data he aims to explore geographic
variation across various spatial scales. Most of his work focuses on Neotropical birds with special
attention to hummingbirds and lately to Darwin’s finches. TBA
EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGIST KIYOKO GOTANDA is a PhD Candidate at McGill University. Her research
focuses on how variation in selective pressures, especially those caused by human influences, affects
rapid adaptation, She works primarily with the Trinidadian guppy and Darwin’s finches, and has also
worked with East African cichlids and coral reef fish. All teams
SOFIA CARVAJAL is a Ph.D student at McGill University in Canada. She is interested in the ecoevolutionary dynamics that shape the structure of communities. Currently, she is studying how
evolutionary changes in the beak morphology of Darwin’s finches can influence the ecological
and evolutionary patterns of plant communities in the Galapagos Islands.
PLEASE NOTE: Staff schedules are subject to change.
20
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
RECOMMENDED READING
YOUR RESOURCES AT HOME
RESOURCES
BOOKS
FILMS
• Weiner, J. 1994. The Beak of the Finch:
A Story of Evolution in Our Time. 1994.
•Galápagos (Blu-ray). 2007. Starring Tom Hewitt and
Tom Hiddleston.
•Grant, P. R. 1999. Ecology and Evolution of
Darwin’s Finches.
FIELD GUIDES
•Grant, P. R. and B. R. Grant. 2008. How and why
species multiply: the radiation of Darwin’s finches.
FIELD GUIDES
•Grant, P. R. and B. R. Grant. 2002. Unpredictable
evolution in a 30-year study of Darwin’s finches.
Science 196: 707-711.
•Hendry, A. P., S. K. Huber, L. F. De León, A. Herrel,
and J. Podos. 2009. Disruptive selection in a bimodal
population of Darwin’s finches. Proceedings of the
Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 276: 753-759.
•Huber, S.K., L.F. De León, A.P. Hendry, E. Bermingham,
and J. Podos. 2007. Reproductive isolation of sympatric
morphs in a population of Darwin’s finches. Proceedings
of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 274: 1709-1714.
•Fitter, J., D. Fitter, and D. Hosking. 2002.
Wildlife of the Galápagos.
•Stephenson, M. 2000. The Galápagos Islands:
The Essential Handbook for Exploring, Enjoying
and Understanding Darwin’s Enchanted Islands.
•McMullen, C.K. 1999. Flowering Plants of the Galápagos.
EARTHWATCH SOCIAL MEDIA
Get to know EarthWatch better at:
•FACEBOOK: facebook.com/Earthwatch
•YOUTUBE: youtube.com/earthwatchinstitute
•T WITTER: twitter.com/earthwatch_org
•De León, L.F., J.A.M. Raeymaekers, E. Bermingham,
J. Podos, A. Herrel, and A.P. Hendry. 2011. Exploring
possible human influences on the evolution of
Darwin’s finches. Evolution 65: 2258-2272.
•De León, L.F., E. Berminghan, J. Podos, and A.P. Hendry.
2010. Divergence with gene flow as facilitated by
ecological differences: within-island variation in Darwin’s
finches. Phil. Trans. Royal Society B 365: 1041-1052.
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
21
PARTICIPANT RIGHTS
AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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 the obligation to
review and edit materials involving information gathered on
one of their expeditions.
DISCRIMINATION
This document contains important information concerning
Earthwatch Institute policies and participant rights and
responsibilities for inclusion in an Earthwatch expedition.
Please read this document thoroughly and sign the Liability
Release section of your Earthwatch Participation Form to
indicate that you understand and accept the risks inherent to
your expedition and the policies, rights, and responsibilities
enumerated in this document. You will not be permitted to
participate in an expedition until Earthwatch has received
the signed release form.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
It 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.
Co-opting or plagiarism of data, images, or information gathered
during an expedition for use in a scientific thesis, master’s, or
PhD work, or for profit or for the academic or business use of a
third party without the permission of the Earthwatch scientist is
strictly prohibited. Please be aware that data gathered during the
interviewing of local people become the intellectual property of
the Earthwatch scientist. Earthwatch scientists have the right
to place additional restrictions on your ability to share data or
certain research-related images.
22
Earthwatch 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 antidiscriminatory and that the possibility exists that local
residents may not have an awareness of preferred practice
regarding discrimination.
Discrimination on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, national
origin, gender, 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 nondiscrimination policy is grounds
for expulsion from the program without a refund.
INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS
Earthwatch 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 prohibited
for the duration of an Earthwatch project.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Please 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.
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
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 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, or
Earthwatch field staff.
Any individual who feels subjected to sexual harassment or
has any knowledge of such behavior should report it at once to the
Earthwatch scientist, Field Team Leader, or other Earthwatch
staff member. The Earthwatch scientist or Field Team Leader
will notify Earthwatch when an accusation of sexual harassment
or abuse is made or when such conduct is witnessed.
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
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 removed from the expedition at his or her
own expense. If a minor is involved in allegations of sexual
harassment, his or her parents or guardians will be contacted.
DRUGS
Laws on drug use in most countries are severe and may impose
lengthy prison terms or the death penalty. The manufacture,
possession, use, purchase, 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 on 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 on-site briefing to participants
at the start of the project and in the expedition briefing.
23
Consumption or possession of alcohol or smoking is not permitted
on any Earthwatch Teen Team, regardless of local law.
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.
developed teams specifically for 15-, 16- and 17-year-olds
(“Teen Teams”) as well as teams specifically for families (“Family
Teams”) with children as young as 10 years. 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 may be 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 15-, 16- and 17-yearolds. Please be aware that some Earthwatch projects do not
allow participation by minors in any circumstance.
MINORS
PARTICIPANTS AND DRIVING
Earthwatch considers participants less than 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 legal guardian, in which case the minimum age
is fifteen (15). Guardians accompanying minors on standard
teams must be 21 years of age or over. Minors on standard
teams do not receive additional guidance or supervision from
Earthwatch beyond what is offered to the adult participants.
The total number of minors on standard teams may be limited
on a project by project basis; this will be noted in the expedition
briefing. A maximum of two minors may accompany each parent
or guardian on a standard or Family Team. Earthwatch has
Participants are not allowed to drive project vehicles
(including motorcycles or all terrain 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 predetermined by project staff
in collaboration with Earthwatch. Participants must respect
the restrictions for boat driving in place for each project.
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.
24
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.
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
Participants who have driven themselves to the project may
choose to utilize their own vehicles during recreational time,
but project staff will brief them on any 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 EMERGENCY
In 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 REFUSAL
Earthwatch reserves the right to refuse an applicant’s
participation in an Earthwatch project at any time and to
terminate any work being done by a participant and require the
participant to vacate the project site if the Earthwatch scientist,
Field Team Leader, or other Earthwatch staff member in his
or her absolute discretion considers it appropriate. In this
event, the participant (and his or her parents or guardians,
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 will not be
eligible for a refund.
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
Earthwatch may not refuse an applicant’s participation in a
project for discriminatory reasons (race, religion, ethnicity,
national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or any other reason
prohibited by applicable law). However, an application may be
denied in the interest of team compatibility or due to logistical
limitations. Earthwatch will make reasonable efforts to
accommodate participants with disabilities, and the organization
endeavors to find appropriate expeditions for those participants
who have physical limitations. Refusal of an applicant is an
unusual event and is generally done either because of 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 for health
reasons, Earthwatch will refund in full any deposit or payment
made toward the expedition.
Earthwatch scientists have the right to refuse special requests,
such as visits by media (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 (“Participant Rights and Responsibilities”) is
subject to removal from the team at his or her own expense.
By signing the Liability Release section of your Earthwatch
Participation Form, you are indicating that you have read
and understand the policies in this document. Removal of a
participant from a team is at the discretion of the Earthwatch
scientist, Field Team Leader, or other Earthwatch staff. In
addition, Earthwatch will support the right of the Earthwatch
scientist, Field Team Leader, or other Earthwatch staff to send
a participant away from a project once in the field should his
or her 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 guardians prior to his or her dismissal. Should a participant
be removed from a team, he or she is responsible for any and all
costs associated with departure from the team and will receive
neither refund of the minimum contribution for the expedition
nor any expenses incurred by participation on the expedition.
(November 2012)
25
COMMUNICATIONS
CONTACT INFORMATION
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
The area has reliable cellphone reception 24 hours a day.
There research station also has Internet access and fax that
can be used regularly.
Researchers use mainly cellphones in the field because
they usually have very good reception, even in remote areas.
They also use walkie-talkies in the field.
Police: +593 (5) 252-6101
The 24-hour helpline at Earthwatch headquarters in the U.S.
is +1 (978) 461-0081 or +1 (800) 776-0188.
PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS
Earthwatch encourages volunteers to minimize outgoing calls
and immerse themselves in the experience; likewise, family
and friends should restrict calls to urgent messages.
VOLUNTEER CONTACT INFO
Complete travel information is not
available in this version of the briefing.
Please contact Earthwatch
with any questions.
26
EARTHWATCH’S 24-HOUR EMERGENCY
HOTLINE (OUTSIDE AUSTRALIA)
Call Earthwatch’s 24-hour on-call duty officer in the U.S.:
+1 (978) 461-0081
+1 (800) 776-0188 (toll-free for calls placed from within the U.S.)
HEALIX INTERNATIONAL:
+44-20-3667-8991 (collect calls and reverse charges accepted)
U.S. TOLL FREE: +1-877-759 3917
U.K. FREE PHONE: 0-800-19-5180
EMAIL: [email protected]
EARTHWATCH’S 24-HOUR EMERGENCY
HOTLINE (WITHIN AUSTRALIA):
+61-0-3-8508-5537
After business hours, leave a message with our live
answering service. State that you have an emergency
and give the name of your expedition, your name, the
location from which you are calling, and if possible, a
phone number where you can be reached. An Earthwatch
staff person will respond to your call within one hour.
Following Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos 2015
MESSAGE FROM
EARTHWATCH
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,
Larry Mason
President and CEO
Earthwatch U.S.
114 Western Ave.
Boston, MA 02134
United States
[email protected]
earthwatch.org
Phone: 1-978-461-0081
Toll-Free: 1-800-776-0188
Fax: 1-978-461-2332
Earthwatch Europe
Mayfield House
256 Banbury Rd.
Oxford, OX2 7DE
United Kingdom
Earthwatch Australia
126 Bank St.
South Melbourne,
VIC 3205
Australia
Earthwatch Japan
Food Science Bldg. 4F
The University of Tokyo
1-1-1, Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku
Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
[email protected]
earthwatch.org
[email protected]
earthwatch.org
[email protected]
earthwatch.org
Phone: 44-0-1865-318-838
Fax: 44-0-1865-311-383
Phone: 61-0-3-9016-7590
Fax: 61-0-3-9686-3652
Phone: 81-0-3-6686-0300
Fax: 81-0-3-6686-0477