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Puerto Rico's Rainforest

The World Resources Institute estimates that each year 13.7 million hectares of tropical forest are cut down, with drastic consequences for biodiversity and local economic sustainability. Sally Silverstone and Dr. Mark Nelson (Institute of Ecotechnics) are testing a new way to harvest rainforest trees by mimicking nature. The project staff cuts long, three-meter-wide slots through the forest, each line separated by ten meters of intact rainforest, as if a canopy tree had fallen in the rainforest. They plant tree seedlings in each line, and then harvest the trees later without disturbing the surrounding forest. Silverstone and Nelson are evaluating their… more

Puerto Rico's Rainforest

The World Resources Institute estimates that each year 13.7 million hectares of tropical forest are cut down, with drastic consequences for biodiversity and local economic sustainability. Sally Silverstone and Dr. Mark Nelson (Institute of Ecotechnics) are testing a new way to harvest rainforest trees by mimicking nature. The project staff cuts long, three-meter-wide slots through the forest, each line separated… more

Trip at-a-glance

Price: From $1,349* per person
Lodging: camping
When: May, June, December
Number of days: 10
Group size: 12

This trip is offered by:

Earthwatch Institute

Call them at 800-776-0188 about this trip and mention you saw it at TravelDragon, or contact them.

Trip details

The first thing you will need to learn is how to recognize mahogany and mahoe trees — even very small ones. You will hike steep mountainsides in a beautiful, very old tropical rainforest to measure the thousands of mahogany and mahoe trees planted since 1984 and plot their progress. You will also help staff measure and identify native trees in study plots for comparison with planted trees. In addition, at night you will help monitor local populations of coqui, a tiny tree frog and much-loved national symbol of Puerto Rico. In your free time, you will be able to enjoy local hikes (if you still have the energy), take a dip in one of our rivers, visit other local attractions, or just relax and enjoy the rainforest.

The project is, for the most part, physically demanding. The site is on steep slopes and in some places the undergrowth is thick. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and boots with good tread are a must. The forest itself is very safe with no poisonous snakes and very few poisonous insects, and to date we have not sited the legendary Chupacabra.

Be prepared for rain to stop work and play; the weather is totally unpredictable and in very heavy rain, clambering up and down the wet slopes is not only difficult, it is also damaging to the slopes. Also be prepared to exercise not only your body, but your patience as well. In some areas it may take you quite a while to locate a single mahogany tree or you may have to sit and wait out a heavy downpour – welcome to the world of field research!

At the end of the day you will be able to come home to a comfy tent, a shower, a good meal, and a magical evening listening to the coqui calling through the night.

As an Eons member, you'll get a free, 1 year membership to Earthwatch — a $35 value — when you sign up on any expedition. And members pay $100 less on their expedition contribution — so you save $135! Just put code EONS2007 in the comment field on the signup form, or, if you call, tell the Expedition Coordinator that you found us on Eons.

Earthwatch expedition-related costs may be tax-deductible in the US as volunteer expenses. Please check with your tax adviser.

*TRAVEL INFORMATION DISCLAIMER: Travel product and pricing information are the travel provider’s base estimates, published here as a convenience to TravelDragon users without verification by TravelDragon. Your actual price will vary depending upon length of trip, travel dates, number of traveling guests, transportation (e.g. airfare, rail passes, etc.), and optional service features such as room categories or individualized food requirements. This base price estimate may or may not include all necessary fees, taxes, government-imposed surcharges. Be sure to confirm availability, total price and trip details with the travel provider using the contact information provided here.

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