- The Expedition
- Meet the Team
Help save leatherback sea turtles from extinction at one of the most important remaining nesting beaches in the world.
Northwest coast and Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica— Each night on the beaches volunteers monitor nesting leatherbacks, measure and tag them, record nest locations, and count eggs to help the researchers determine which factors—from El Niño and La Niña to coastal development—influence nesting success for this critically endangered species.
Depending on the season, volunteers may relocate threatened nests to the hatchery, protect hatchlings as they crawl seaward, excavate nests to determine hatching success rates, and rescue stragglers. Volunteers may also help attach transmitters or data-loggers to adults to monitor their behavior and migrations, or help maintain the turtle hatchery.
Find out more about this expedition.
RESOURCES
Earthwatch expedition briefing
Essential information for the expedition - daily schedule, research area details, project conditions etc.
Photo gallery from the expedition.
General:
Climate Change resources
Education Resources from the EPA
The GLOBE Program - International Environmental/Science Education Program
Computer simiulations of GLobal CO2 Emisions
NOAA education resources
Center for Instruction, Staff Development and Education
North American Associate for Environmental Education
Climate Momentum Simulation
Recommended reading:
Childhood and Nature by David Sobel
Place-based Education: Connecting Classrooms & Communities, With Index by David Sobel and James Tylor and The Center for Ecoliteracy
Beyond Ecophobia: Reclaiming the Heart in Nature Education (Nature Literacy Series, Vol. 1) (Nature Literacy) by Sobel David
Mapmaking with Children: Sense of Place Education for the Elementary Years by David Sobel
Children's Special Places: Exploring the Role of Forts, Dens, and Bush Houses in Middle Childhood (The Child in the City Series) by David Sobel
http://www.leatherback.org - Describes the location and work being done, with regular updates on the progress of the various projects, as well as results from previous years
Follow our blogs as we experience our Earthwatch expedition Costa Rican Sea Turtles January 30 - February 7, 2011.
This Live From the Field program and educator fellowships are made possible by generous funding from Pedrero Family Foundation and Collegiate School.
This site is the result of collaborative efforts from the members of this Earthwatch project and the support of Earthwatch Institute,
Meet the Teachers
Bill Hill
Collegiate School
New York, NY
Blog: bhill.earthwatchblogs.org
Brett Elebash
Town School
San Francisco, CA
Blog: belebash.earthwatchblogs.org
Meet the Scientist
Dr. Frank Paladino
Indiana-Purdue University
Welcome to our 15th year of Costa Rican Sea Turtles. Costa Rica is exotic but tame: The people are friendly, the water is warm, and there is plenty to see and do. The leatherbacks are remarkable. Watching one of these huge animals haul onto the beach and lay its eggs is a fantastic experience. The scientists and staff are highly trained, motivated, and experienced in field biology and look forward to working with you. See you in Playa Grande!
Dr. James R. Spotila
Drexel University
Dr. Spotila is the Betz Chair Professor of Environmental Science at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has over 100 reviewed scientific publications in professional journals in the areas of physiological ecology of vertebrate animals. He has been conducting research on sea turtles in Costa Rica since 1978. He has a Ph.D. in Vertebrate Biology from the University of Arkansas (1970) and has been a professor for more than 30 years at both Buffalo State University and Drexel University.
Dr. Richard Reina
Monash University
| Nassau, The Bahamas |
Earthwatch Expedition Briefing
Earthwatch Classroom Earth Case Study
Photographs from the expedition
Year on Earth. Video clip overview of environmental issues facing the coral reefs and various tools used to survey the reefs as told by three students volunteering on the Bahamian Reef Survey expedition.
Blogs from previous teams:
Heather Brown
Young Achievers Science and Math Pilot School
Jamaica Plain, MA
Blog: http://www.earthwatch2.org/LFF/brown/
Sherrill Dappan
Saint Helena Elementary School
Napa Valley, CA
Blog: http://www.earthwatch2.org/LFF/dappen/
Denise Deghi
San Mateo Park School
San Mateo, CA
Blog: http://www.earthwatch2.org/LFF/deghi/
Sarah Hahn
Community Academy of Science and Health
Hyde Park, MA
Blog: http://www.earthwatch2.org/LFF/boston/
Grace Hancock
Hanover Park High School
Florham Park, NJ
Blog: http://hornetunderwater.blogspot.com
Sarah Mitchell
Johnson Middle School
Bradenton, FL
Blog: http://xit.manatee.k12.fl.us/?blog=SMitchell
Shea Pickelner
City Academy
Salt Lake City, UT
Blog: http://www.earthwatch2.org/LFF/pickelner/
Karen Stein
Ridgedale Middle School
Florham Park, NJ
Blog: http://mrsstein.blogspot.com
Consuela Taylor
Charles R. Drew Charter School
Atlanta GA
Blog: http://www.earthwatch2.org/LFF/taylor/
Kristina Willmarth
Lydia Hawk Elementary School in
Lacey, WA
Blog: http://www.earthwatch2.org/LFF/willmarth/
Map
