Contacting all Citizen Biologists!
As the global loss of biodiversity mounts, all capable individuals must be mustered to help stem the losses. Who fits into this category, you ask? Well, just about anyone with a healthy respect for and belief in the scientific process!
Our Research-based tours are designed to tap this vast resource, opening up research to the layperson through the use of citizen science. The concept is not a new one, as one of the longest running examples has been around for over a century; the Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count which started in 1900.
A citizen scientist is an individual with little or no specific scientific training, who performs, under the guidance of a researcher, observations and measurements of the natural world. The use of citizen scientists allows us researchers to accomplish research objectives more feasibly than would otherwise be possible without your help. With our projects we aim to promote public engagement in research, as well as with science in general, and in gaining valuable data towards the ultimate goal of conservation.
We are hereby providing those with a desire to break into the field of research science with several opportunities. This is currently a project in development and we will be starting with three important areas of research:
- The American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus): a continuation of ongoing monitoring.
- The Black-headed Bushmaster (Lachesis melanocephala): surveys will include other terrestrial reptiles.
- Amphibian Monitoring: based on the global awareness of mounting amphibian extinctions.
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American Crocodile |
Black-headed Bushmaster |
Red-eyed treefrog |
Read the Justification for Monitoring
Read about the American Crocodile Survey
Read about the Bushmaster Survey
Read about the Amphibian Survey
Please contact Gareth Blakemore at gareth@osaaventura.com for tour specifics and any questions.