SAVING JOSHUA TREE S DESERT SPECIES EARTHWATCH 2016

Transcription

1 SAVING JOSHUA TREE S DESERT SPECIES EARTHWATCH 2016

2 DEAR EARTHWATCHER, Deserts can seem formidable. We ve all the seen the movies with people barely surviving (or not surviving) the heat and lack of water in a featureless expanse of sand. In deference to that Hollywood image, deserts are spectacularly beautiful landscapes, with animals and plants so well adapted to those dry and sometimes hot conditions that they don t just survive they thrive, usually. Joshua Tree National Park is one of those spectacular landscapes, with plants right out of a children s Dr. Seuss book, other-worldly rock formations, plump lizards suspiciously eyeing human visitors from their boulder perches, and bighorn sheep dancing across steep rock cliffs above verdant palm oases. This place is rich in animal and plant life, but it is a region where scientists expect climate change to be expressed in extreme ways. If it gets still hotter and drier will those animals and plants be able to survive, let alone thrive? If it gets too hot and dry, will they be able to shift to higher elevations to find suitable habitat fast enough to keep pace with a changing climate? For a National Park, charged with being the steward of our natural heritage, these are critical questions. To tackle this challenge a research team from the University of California Riverside s Center for Conservation Biology has teamed up with biologists from Joshua Tree National Park to document just how animals and plants are responding to climate change. We have established dozens of sites across Joshua Tree National Park to serve a sentinels of environmental change, from the lowest, hottest areas of the Colorado Desert, to the relatively cool high elevations of the Mojave Desert, a transition spanning nearly 5,000. At each site we need to catalogue the animal and plant life occurring there now, in terms of which species are there and their abundance, and then check again to see what changes occur in 5, 10, 20 or 50 years from now. With this information the National Park can better manage their lands, facilitating inevitable changes in a manner that supports the survival of its rich biodiversity. You will help us in the challenging task; in fact your participation is vital. We can t wait to have you on our research project! Sincerely, Dr. Cameron Barrows Lead Earthwatch Scientist

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS GENERAL INFORMATION... 2 TRIP PLANNER...3 THE RESEARCH... 4 DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD... 6 ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD... 7 PROJECT CONDITIONS... 8 SAFETY TRAVEL TIPS EXPEDITION PACKING CHECKLIST PROJECT STAFF RECOMMENDED READING...14 LITERATURE CITED...14 EMERGENCY NUMBERS

4 GENERAL INFORMATION SAVING JOSHUA TREE S DESERT SPECIES EARTHWATCH SCIENTISTS Dr. Cameron Barrows, Associate Research Ecologist University of California, Riverside Josh Hoines, Resources Division Chief Death Valley National Park RESEARCH SITE Joshua Tree National Park, California EXPEDITION DATES Team 1 (10-days): Mar. 20 Mar. 29, 2016 Team 2 (7-days): Apr. 2 Apr. 8, 2016 Team 3: (10-days): Apr. 10-Apr. 19, 2016 Team 4 (7-days): Apr. 23 Apr 29, 2016 Complete travel information is not available in this version of the briefing. Please contact Earthwatch with any questions. 2

5 TRIP PLANNER SAVING JOSHUA TREE S DESERT SPECIES IMMEDIATELY q Make sure you understand and agree to Earthwatch s Terms and Conditions and the Participant Code of Conduct. q If you plan to purchase additional travel insurance, note that some policies require purchase when your expedition is booked. 90 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION q Log in at earthwatch.org to complete your volunteer forms. q Pay any outstanding balance for your expedition. q Book travel arrangements (see the Travel Planning section for details). q If traveling internationally, make sure your passport is current and, if necessary, obtain a visa for your destination country. 60 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION q Make sure you have all the necessary vaccinations for your project site. q Review the Packing Checklist to make sure you have all the clothing, personal supplies and equipment needed. 30 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION q Leave the Earthwatch 24-hour helpline number with a relative or friend. q Leave copies of your passport, visa, and airline tickets with a relative or friend. 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 3

6 THE RESEARCH SAVING JOSHUA TREE S DESERT SPECIES THE STORY Joshua trees can live for hundreds of years in one of the most extreme climates in the US: the Mojave Desert. However, these trees, and the plants and animals that share their habitat, are now threatened by climate change. Scientists predict that if temperatures rise at the expected rate, this iconic tree will disappear from 90% of its current range in California s Joshua Tree National Park by the end of the century. The effects of climate change not only include rising temperatures, but also wildfires, severe storms, and persistent droughts. These changes could dramatically alter desert climates that depend on a delicate balance of resources (Diffenbaugh et al. 2008). In order to conserve the plant and animal species in Joshua Tree National Park, it is critical for scientists to understand how this ecosystem will respond to climate change. To do this, researchers need long-term monitoring data that describes the habitats and populations of certain species. This type of monitoring requires the help of Earthwatch volunteers over multiple years to build a dataset that will provide valuable insight into the changes taking place (Barrows et al. 2005). RESEARCH AIMS Our overall goal is to inform our climate change models that show the impact of local climatic shifts on threatened species. We are focused on the transitional areas between the Mojave and Sonoran desert landscapes (Ricketts et al. 1999). This project will require empirical data to test our models and document how sensitive species are actually responding to climate change. Volunteers will be essential to this data collection process, which will ultimately improve the models. With the help of Earthwatch, this project will also create a climate change monitoring framework that can be maintained through a citizen science network. The ultimate goal is to capture the changing character of biodiversity spanning the transitional Desert zones within the park. The results from this study will not only improve our climate models, but will also inform management strategies aimed at stemming climaterelated losses of biodiversity (Barrows and Allen 2007; Barrows 2013; Mori et al. 2013; Bertelsmeier et al. 2013; Bellard et al. 2013). Volunteers will play a key role in contributing to this longterm database that will span decades and cover species composition and abundance at multiple monitoring stations throughout the park. 4

7 Moreover, the knowledge volunteers take away from this project is equally important to helping protect endangered species and conserving sensitive habitats. This is a unique opportunity to gain insight from local scientists to increase your own understanding of how science and data collected on the ground is used to advise management decisions. HOW YOU WILL HELP You ll be able to participate in ongoing research to assess the impact of climate change across the Colorado and Mojave Deserts that will include a variety of data collection methods, which do not require prior knowledge or training; we will train you in all necessary skills. From novice to experienced naturalists, everyone can participate fully and help us record and interpret our findings. Our goal is to use the data to gain insights to the status of larger ecosystem, including vegetation (woody plants), reptiles, birds and small mammals. REPTILE SURVEYS: You will help monitor the effects of climate change on reptiles (mostly lizards and tortoises) that are indigenous in the Park. There are over 20 species of lizards found in the park; examples include desert iguanas, common chuckwallas, desert horned lizards, Blainville s (coast) horned lizards, desert spiny lizards, western fence lizards, yucca night lizards, and the threatened desert tortoise. Working with Project Lead, Dr. Cameron Barrows, you will participate in walking surveys across the varied desert habitats found within the park. ASSIST WITH PITFALL ARRAYS: Pitfall traps will be used to monitor reptiles, small mammals, and arthropods. Pitfall traps are buckets dug into the ground that animals fall into. Volunteers will help Kristen Lalumiere monitor these traps, getting a unique opportunity to see these animals up close and personal. Birds (such as burrowing owls, Scott s orioles, and Pinyon jays) and mammals (kit fox, mule deer, and bighorn sheep, for example) that are spotted will also be recorded. ASSIST WITH VEGETATION PLOTS: Within a series of larger plots that span the habitats of the park, volunteers will, working closely with Project Lead, Josh Hoines, James Heintz and Lynn Sweet survey smaller, 25x2 meter vegetation plots to monitor the abundance and condition of plants ranging from iconic Joshua trees, ironwood trees, ocotillo, junipers, palo verde trees, jojoba, and pinyon pines to blackbrush, brittle bush and cat-claw acacia. Species will also be tagged within the plots to assess growth rates when the same plots are measured again in future years. 5

8 DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD PLANS FOR YOUR TEAM PLANS FOR YOUR TEAM Upon arrival, you ll receive a safety briefing and a presentation on local history, conservation priorities for Joshua Tree National Park, local examples of global issues, the goals of the project, and a framework for all the project s key protocols. When we begin our fieldwork, project staff will introduce and demonstrate each new task; we ll work with you until you re comfortable with any new activities. We will also supervise to ensure data quality. On the last day before departure, we will lead you in a discussion of possible solutions to conservation issues. In general, research days will include up to eight hours per day in the field. DAILY ACTIVITIES Each morning, we will make breakfast and prepare a packed lunch before going over the general schedule for the day to outline what you should bring into the field and when we anticipate returning to the accommodations. The morning hours (while temperatures are cooler) will be dedicated to fieldwork and data collection (reading plot data, monitoring pitfall traps, scouting for birds). Around noon, we will enjoy our lunches and take a short break out in the field. Afternoons will vary according to weather conditions and research needs. After a long day of fieldwork and data collection, we will all return to the accommodations for free time before dinner. Then, we will convene for a group dinner and evening wrap up of the day s events. ITINERARY & DAILY SCHEDULE ITINERARY DAY 1: ARRIVAL Arrive at the rendezvous airport and meet project staff Travel to accommodations at the Black Rock Visitor Center headquarters Unpack and settle in before having a group dinner Safety briefing DAY 2: TRAINING AND INTRODUCTION TO FIELD WORK Introduction to the research and general field sampling techniques Learn how to work in a desert environment ecosystem Tour the accommodations and learn about the plants, animals, and habitat types at the park Drive through the Park and take several short hikes to explore the various habitats and observation points DAYS 3 6: RESEARCH (DAYS 3-9 FOR LONGER TEAMS) Collect data using field guides to record woody plants, reptiles, and amphibians Collect data from pitfall arrays (small mammals, reptiles, and arthropods) Conduct transects for larger reptiles and tortoises. Look for birds and other mammals as well. Collect data from vegetation plots Recreational day (for 10 day teams only) There are several options including exploring rock formations, palm oases, sand dunes, or historical sites within the Park There will be one dinner out to a local restaurant. This meal will be included in the contribution cost and will occur in the middle of the team. DAY 7: DEPARTURE (DAY 10 FOR LONGER TEAMS) Debrief at breakfast and discuss how the data collected can be used to better preserve and manage the Park. Program close and depart for the airport 6

9 ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD ABOUT YOUR HOME IN THE FIELD SLEEPING You will be staying at the fire station dorms near the Black Rock Visitor Center. There is one large single-sex room that can sleep eight and is bunk style. There are six smaller rooms that sleep two people. Rooms will be split by gender, but couples may be accommodated depending on availability and the makeup of the team. Single room requests cannot be guaranteed and will be granted depending on availability. The fire station dorms have electricity, refrigerators, and running water. All lodging facilities are climate-controlled. Bedding is not provided, so please bring your own bath towel(s), toiletries, pillow, and sleeping bag. We also suggest bringing extra-long twin sheets if you don t want to sleep on a bare mattress. *NOTE: quiet hours are between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m BATHROOMS All lodging facilities have hot water showers and conventional toilets. Bathrooms are shared but are split by gender. Laundry machines (liquid detergent only) and dryers are also available at no cost. ELECTRICITY You are welcome to bring electrical equipment. All lodging facilities have standard US electrical outlets. FACILITIES AND AMENITIES The accommodations will be the main site for all group activities including meals, presentations, and relaxation time. The common area consists of a living-room type setting with two couches and a TV screen (for presentations), a large kitchen, a large eating area and an outside grill. This area is directly adjacent to the dorm rooms, bathrooms and laundry facilities. Feel free to bring cards and board games. PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS There is no Wi-Fi available at the accommodations. Depending on your mobile phone carrier, cell service can be found near the accommodations, but is highly variable in the region. Please note that personal communication with outsiders is not always possible while participating in an expedition. Earthwatch encourages volunteers to minimize outgoing calls and immerse themselves in the experience; likewise, family and friends should restrict calls to urgent messages only. VOLUNTEER CONTACT INFO Black Rock Visitor Center 9800 Black Rock Canyon Rd Yucca Valley, CA DISTANCE TO THE FIELD SITE Research will take place in many different sites within Joshua Tree National Park. Elevation ranges from feet, and volunteers should expect varying terrain types and steepness. For any given site, volunteers can expect to drive between 10 minutes to 1.5 hours to reach each location. Distances will vary depending on the team and research needs. FOOD AND WATER Research staff will shop for all food for the volunteers. Volunteers will prepare their own breakfasts and field lunches. Research staff will lead the individual teams each night for dinner and all volunteers should expect to help with meal preparation and clean up. Typical meals include tacos, spaghetti, baked potatoes, pizza soups, casseroles, and barbecue. Salads and dressings will be available as sides. The final dinner will be catered by a local restaurant. TYPICAL MEALS BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER SNACKS BEVERAGES Cereal, fruit, bagels, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, coffee, tea Sandwiches, chips and fruit (packed lunches prepared for the field) Tacos, spaghetti, baked potatoes, soups, pizza, casseroles, barbecue and salads (typical American fare), desserts Fruit, chips, pretzels, granola bars, etc. Water (okay to drink from tap) and different juices. Electrolyte tablets/powder will be provided SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS Please alert Earthwatch to any special dietary requirements (e.g., diabetes, lactose intolerance, nut or other food allergies, vegetarian or vegan diets) as soon as possible, and note them in the space provided on your volunteer forms. This project can cater to vegetarian, and lactose-free diets. Vegan and gluten free diets cannot readily be accommodated. 7

10 PROJECT CONDITIONS THE FIELD ENVIRONMENT GENERAL CONDITIONS Joshua Tree National Park is at the transition between Colorado and Mojave deserts. The eastern Colorado Desert is warmer and drier than the Mojave, which is more central and west. Elevations in the park range from 500 to 5700 feet. From the Spring to the Fall, temperatures can rise above 100 F during the day, and usually won t go below 70 F at night in the Summer. This being said, the climate also varies within the park, and there can be more than a 20 degree difference or more between the east and west ends. Precipitation can also be extreme. The park receives five inches of rain per year, and most of this occurs during the winter months. However, during the field season, it is possible to have heavy concentrated downpours. During the March expeditions the temperatures could be very cool at night possibly as low as the 30s-40s, but pleasant during the day. During the May expeditions it should be much warmer, probably 60s at night and 80s-90s during the day. In low elevation areas, there will be wide-open expanses of creosote shrub with ocotillo and teddy bear cholla gardens. In the higher elevation areas, there will be awe-inspiring geological formations, inhabited by pinyon and juniper woodlands and Joshua tree forests. In mesic areas, there are California fan palm oases and dry wash woodlands alongside riparian areas. During wet years, wildflower displays may be possible. GENERAL CONDITIONS HUMIDITY: 10% to 30% TEMPERATURE RANGE: DAY: 70 F to 90 F NIGHT: 40 F to 70 F RAINFALL: Five inches mostly in the winter, but thunderstorms with concentrated downpours occurring during the summer ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: All participants must be able to: Follow verbal and/or visual instructions independently or with the assistance of a companion. Enjoy being outdoors most of the day in variable weather, in the potential presence of wild animals and insects Tolerate temperatures above 90 F in dry heat Traverse flat and steep hiking trails in desert conditions and over loose rocks Traverse flat and steep areas of the desert (off trail) Carry personal daily supplies such as lunch, water, and some small field equipment Sit upright in a 6-12 passenger vehicle over bumpy dirt roads Be able to hike across flat and steep terrain between one and five miles per day 8

11 POTENTIAL HAZARDS SAVING JOSHUA TREE S DESERT SPECIES HAZARD TYPE Transportation Hiking Getting Lost Animals Personal Security Distance from Medical Care Dehydration Heavy Rain ASSOCIATED RISKS AND PRECAUTIONS We will travel on public roads in a quiet area with few traffic issues, but risks inherent in road travel still apply. We ll take some gravel roads throughout the park. Vehicles are maintained to US standards. All volunteers will have a seat belt and must use it whenever the vehicle is in motion. A roadside assistance service will be called if a vehicle breaks down. You will hike several miles a day along designated trails and transects, and the terrain may be difficult to traverse. Some sections will be flat hiking, while other areas will be more steep and strenuous. You may take your time with any sections of challenging terrain. Take particular care to avoid stepping on any animals that may be present, especially snakes. The Earthwatch scientists will highlight hazard snakes and will show how to walk with appropriate caution when introducing you to the field site. There are also thorny plants throughout the desert, so thick hiking pants and appropriate footwear are essential. Staff will count team members at frequent intervals, and will caution you against going off alone. Please inform project staff if you need a moment away from the team. Volunteers will work in groups of at least two at all times. The scientists take great care to know, at all times, where each volunteer is working, so that volunteers can be located quickly and expediently. We will cover appropriate responses to wildlife encounters in the introductory briefing. Do not approach or handle any wildlife. Though spotting dangerous animals is uncommon, always pay attention to your surroundings, especially for venomous snakes. California is a generally safe region for travelers; however, do not leave valuables unattended in public areas. Due to the relative remoteness of the site, it can take up to one hour to reach the nearest hospital. Those with severe or chronic conditions that may require immediate medical care (e.g., heart problems, severe allergies that can result in anaphylactic shock, etc.) should carefully consider their participation in this project and discuss with their doctors the implications of the distance of the hospital from the project site. In dry and hot desert environments, dehydration is a common risk. Volunteers will be advised to have two 1.5 liter water bottles on them at all times. Project staff will also carry additional water with them into the field for volunteers. Staff will instruct the team to take regular water breaks throughout the day to avoid dehydration. **NOTE: While drinking is allowed after fieldwork in the evenings, staff will check the weather forecast for the following day, and if temperatures are expected to exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, then drinking will not be permitted as precaution to prevent dehydration. While very rare, sudden rain or thunderstorms are possible, and the field staff will instruct volunteers for best practices in the field. If close to project vehicles, volunteers should return to the vans for safety. If further out in the field, protocols will vary depending on the elevation, amount of rainfall, and severity of the storm. Staff will advise on safety protocols depending on the situation. 9

12 SAFETY HEALTH INFORMATION EMERGENCIES IN THE FIELD Accommodations and vehicles all have first aid kits. In the event of a medical emergency, the Earthwatch scientists will administer first aid, and depending on the seriousness of the injury or condition, either take the volunteer to the hospital using one of the project vehicles (always available) or call emergency services by cellphone. While in the field, the scientists will carry portable two-way radios and each will carry a cell phone for emergency communication. If a volunteer has to leave the expedition early for emergency reasons, the Earthwatch scientists will determine the most appropriate form of transport to the airport (either one of the project vehicles or ambulance). For emergency assistance in the field, please contact Earthwatch's 24-hour emergency hotline number on the last page of this briefing. Earthwatch is available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; someone is always on call to respond to messages that come into our live answering service. IMMUNIZATIONS Please be sure your routine immunizations are up-to-date (for example: diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella). Medical decisions are the responsibility of each volunteer and his or her doctor, and the following are recommendations only. Visit the Healix Travel Oracle website through the Travel Assistance and Advice page in your Earthwatch portal, cdc.gov or who.int for guidance on immunizations. PROJECT VACCINATIONS REQUIRED If traveling from countries or region where yellow fever is endemic, you must have a certificate of vaccination. You may need to present this certificate when you arrive in country. RECOMMENDED FOR HEALTH REASONS: Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B 10

13 TRAVEL TIPS SUGGESTIONS FOR THE ROAD MONEY MATTERS LOCAL CURRENCY: US dollar PERSONAL FUNDS: $100 should suffice if you d like to purchase additional snacks or incidentals. There are ATMs at the Palm Springs Airport if you would like to withdraw cash and most locations accept credit cards. International volunteers may use credit cards and ATM cards at local banks to obtain currency in US dollars. There is also a currency exchange counter at the airport. PASSPORTS AND VISAS Passport and visa requirements are subject to change. Check with your travel advisor, embassy or consulate inyour home country for requirements specific to your circumstances. Generally, passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry and a return ticket is required. CITIZENSHIP PASSPORT REQUIRED? VISA REQUIRED? United States No No United Kingdom Yes No YOUR DESTINATION LANGUAGE: English TIME ZONE: Pacific Standard Time, which equals GMT -8 hours in the winter months. CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS: Casual, modest dress is acceptable nearly everywhere. Tipping restaurant wait staff, taxi drivers, airport curbside baggage handlers, and hotel bellhops is customary. ELECTRICITY: The US standard voltage used for small appliances, hair dryers, electronic equipment, etc. is 120 volts, 60Hz, supplied through type A or B sockets. Europe Yes No Australia Yes No Japan Yes No If a visa is required, participants should apply for a TOURIST visa. Please note that obtaining a visa can take weeks or even months. We strongly recommend using a visa agency, which can both expedite and simplify the process. CONTACT INFORMATION You may be required to list the following contact information on your visa application and immigration form, or if your luggage does not make it to baggage claim at your destination: Dr. Cameron Barrows Earthwatch C/O Black Rock Visitor Center, Joshua Tree National Park Twentynine Palms, CA. 11

14 EXPEDITION PACKING LIST WHAT TO BRING EXPEDITION PACKING CHECKLIST GENERAL q This expedition briefing q Your travel plans, rendezvous details, and Earthwatch s emergency contact information 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) q Certification of vaccination (if necessary) q Documentation for travel by minors (if necessary) CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR FOR FIELDWORK q Earthwatch T-shirt q Lightweight, quick-drying, long sleeved shirts (nylon or synthetic blend strongly recommended; long-sleeves are suggested and can protect from sun, insect bites and scratches, but shortsleeves or three quarters sleeves are also acceptable) q Long, comfortable hiking pants, extending to the ankle; light colors recommended. Blue jeans and Dickies are also suggested as there are thorny plants throughout the research area. Pants should be durable to protect against thorns. q Sturdy hiking shoes or boots appropriate for hiking multiple miles in the field are required. Ankle support recommended. Open-toed shoes are not acceptable for fieldwork (e.g., no flip flops or sandals) q Wide brimmed hat q Bandana q Wind breaker q Cold weather clothing for evenings: warm hat, gloves, sweater, or fleece jacket (especially for March groups. At 4,000 ft. elevation, evenings can be cool) CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR FOR LEISURE q One or two sets of clothing to keep clean for end of expedition q Pair of light shoes to wear around the accommodations q Warm sleepwear for sleeping q Pair of flip flops for showering FIELD SUPPLIES q Small daypack to keep your personal items together q Sunscreen lotion with SPF 50 or higher q Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries and extra bulb (for walking around accommodations after dark) q Two 1.5 liter water bottles q Insect repellent q Sunglasses with UV protection q Toilet paper q Field notebook, pencil BEDDING AND BATHING q Sleeping bag (40 temperature rating recommended) NOTE: cots or beds will be provided, so volunteers do not need a sleeping pad q Small travel pillow and pillowcase q Bath towels PERSONAL SUPPLIES q Personal toiletries (biodegradable soaps and shampoos are encouraged) q Antibacterial wipes or lotion (good for cleaning hands while in the field) q Personal first aid kit (e.g., anti-diarrhea pills, antibiotics, antiseptic, itch-relief, pain reliever, bandages, blister covers, etc.) and medications q Spending money OPTIONAL ITEMS q Field guide for desert species q Binoculars q Gardening gloves (to protect your hands during vegetation surveys) q Rain jacket (rain is unlikely, but always a possibility) q Snake guards q Combination lock (to secure valuables within personal dormitory lockers). q Twin extra-long sheets (While volunteers will bring their own sleeping bags, the beds and cots provided aren t covered. So if you prefer to sleep on a covered mattress, please bring sheets) q Camera, film or memory card(s), extra camera battery q Hardware for sharing digital photographs at the end of the expedition q Dry bag or plastic sealable bags (e.g. Ziploc) to protect equipment like cameras from dust, humidity, and water q Books, games, art supplies, etc. for free time q Earplugs for light sleepers NOTE: Do not bring more luggage than you can carry and handle on your own. If 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. 12

15 PROJECT STAFF YOUR RESOURCES IN THE FIELD EARTHWATCH SCIENTIST DR. CAMERON BARROWS received his Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences from the University of California, Riverside (US), and his M.S. in biology, from California State University Long Beach (US). Dr. Barrows is a scientist focusing on ecological relationships between species and their increasingly human modified environment, with more than three decades of fieldwork experience. He led an Earthwatch Expedition in the 1980s doing research in northern California s redwood and Douglas fir forests. His interests focus on the effects of invasive species, habitat fragmentation, and climate change on sustaining biodiversity. Today, he s taking teams into the deserts of Joshua Tree National Park, and his current research concentrates on documenting how species and natural communities respond to local and global scale changes. EARTHWATCH SCIENTIST JOSH HOINES received his Graduate Certificate in restoration ecology, University of Idaho (US), and is an expert in the vegetation of Joshua Tree National Park. He has worked in the deserts of the western US for two decades. For the past five years, Josh has served as the park s Vegetation Branch Chief and has overseen all vegetation programs within Joshua Tree National Park. Josh also serves as the Resources Division Chief in Death Valley National Park. FIELD TEAM LEADER LYNN SWEET is an Assistant Specialist Ecologist for the Center for Conservation Biology at the University of California, Riverside (US). She received her PhD in plant ecology, modelling the spread of invasive plants in desert habitats. Her current research interests broadly include conservation, invasive species, and ecological impacts of climate change. The focus of her current work is primarily in desert and arid land regions, and includes mapping vegetation, and constructing climate change species distribution models for various species across the California deserts. FIELD TEAM LEADER JAMES HEINTZ is a Research Associate with the Center for Conservation Biology at the University of California, Riverside (US). He is an expert in the flora of Joshua Tree National Park and plans to pursue graduate degree, using the vegetation data collected on our Earthwatch expeditions as the core of his dissertation. FIELD TEAM LEADER MICHAEL VAMSTAD has been working at Joshua Tree National Park since He started working for the park as the restoration ecologist and later made the shift to the park s wildlife ecologist in Michael received his undergraduate degree in field biology and for eight years he worked on many bird related field research projects in California, Arizona, Rhode Island, Guam, and Baja California, Mexico. While working for Joshua Tree National Park, he attended graduate school at the University of California Riverside. In 2009, Michael received his Master s in Ecology by completing a thesis on small mammal and vegetation responses from wildfire. FIELD TEAM LEADER KRISTEN LALUMIERE has been a Wildlife Biological Science Technician for Joshua Tree National Park since After receiving her undergraduate degree in Environmental Science she worked on wildlife research projects in Australia and along the California coast. She is an expert in wildlife of Joshua Tree National Park and southern California. Her current work includes studying desert tortoise population dynamics and a variety of wildlife and land management projects. NOTE: Staff schedules are subject to change. 13

16 RECOMMENDED READING YOUR RESOURCES AT HOME RESOURCES ARTICLES Barrows, C.W., J. Hoines, K.D. Fleming, M.S. Vamstad, M.L. Murphy-Mariscal, K. Lalumiere, and M. Harding Designing a sustainable monitoring framework for assessing impacts of climate change at Joshua Tree National Park, USA. Biodiversity and Conservation 23: Barrows, C.W., and M.L. Murphy-Mariscal Modeling impacts of climate change on Joshua trees at their southern boundary: how scale impacts predictions. Biological Conservation. 152:29 36 Barrows, C.W Sensitivity to climate change for two reptiles at the Mojave-Sonoran Desert interface. Journal of Arid Environments. 75: LITERATURE CITED LITERATURE Barrows et al. A framework for monitoring multiple species conservation plans. Journal of Wildlife Management. 69: Barrows, C.W. and M.F. Allen Biological monitoring and bridging the gap between land management and science. Natural Areas Journal. 27: Barrows, C.W An Ecosystem Approach to Defining Conservation Boundaries: Concepts and a Case Study. Natural Areas Journal. 33: Bellard et al Will climate change promote future invasions? Global Change Biology. 19: Bertelsmeier et al Increase in quantity and quality of suitable areas for invasive species as climate changes. Conservation Biology. 27: Diffenbaugh et al Climate change hotspots in the U.S. Geophysical Research Letters. 35:L Mori et al Reframing ecosystem management in the era of climate change: Issues and knowledge from forests. Biological Conservation. 165: Ricketts et al Terrestrial ecoregions of North America: a conservation assessment. Island Press, Washington, D.C. 14

17 EMERGENCY NUMBERS AROUND-THE-CLOCK SUPPORT EARTHWATCH S 24-HOUR EMERGENCY HOTLINE Call Earthwatch s 24-hour on-call duty officer in the U.S.: +1 (978) (800) (toll-free for calls placed from within the U.S.) After business hours, leave a message with our living 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 member will respond to your call within one hour. TRAVEL ASSISTANCE PROVIDER: HEALIX INTERNATIONAL (collect calls and reverse charges accepted) U.S. TOLL FREE: U.K. FREE PHONE: earthwatch@healix.com You may contact Healix International at any time. They can assist in the event of a medicalor evacuation emergency or for routine medical and travel advice, such as advice on visas and vaccine requirements. FOR VOLUNTEERS BOOKED THROUGH THE EARTHWATCH AUSTRALIA OFFICE: Earthwatch Australia 24-Hour Emergency Helpline

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21 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 nearly 45 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, Scott Kania President and CEO, Earthwatch CONNECT WITH OTHER EARTHWATCHERS! FIND US ON FACEBOOK AT FACEBOOK.COM/ EARTHWATCH OR ON AND ON YOUTUBE AT YOUTUBE.COM/ EARTHWATCHINSTITUTE

22 Earthwatch U.S. 114 Western Ave. Boston, MA United States earthwatch.org Phone: Toll-Free: Fax: Earthwatch Europe Mayfield House 256 Banbury Rd. Oxford, OX2 7DE United Kingdom earthwatch.org Phone: Fax: Earthwatch Australia 126 Bank St. South Melbourne, VIC 3205 Australia earthwatch.org Phone: Fax: Earthwatch Japan Food Science Bldg. 4F The University of Tokyo 1-1-1, Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo , Japan earthwatch.org Phone: Fax: