GIS specialist & Forestry specialist

To apply: email trevor.eakes@ecowb.org and danielle.reich@ecowb.org

Project name: Sustainable Forestry & Rainforest Enrichment Project, Puerto Rico

Organization: Las Casas de la Selva

Website: www.eyeontherainforest.org; https://www.facebook.com/eyeontherainforest;

www.ecotechnics.edu

Project Location:  : https://goo.gl/maps/ofLkppbKM4tNfPvg6

Volunteer Type: Remote and Field

Time commitment: ~5-10h/month, duration minimum of 3 months 

Host organization profile: 

Tropic Ventures Research & Education Foundation was incorporated in 1998 as a non-profit in Puerto Rico to support the project’s research and education activities. The Earthwatch Institute has been a key collaborator in assisting in the scientific mission from 2000-2016. Tropic Ventures Research & Education Foundation has a contract with Tropic Ventures (the managing entity) to conduct scientific studies and educational research work on the entirety of the land for the next 50 years. IE consults to the project management and supports its mission.

Desired skills for analysis:

• Experience with raster analysis, calculating forest cover indices and other environmental variables from visible spectrum imagery
• Knowledge of accessing and manipulating Landsat imagery
• Experience working in QGIS or ArcGIS and other spatial analysis software like R.

Desired skills for forestry work:

• Working experience in forests
• Knowledge of forest survey tools and techniques
• Interest in learning fauna of Puerto Rico

Skill needs for onsite:

• Flexible, friendly able to deal with changing weather conditions, can participate in station life, including with shared cooking and cleaning chores.
• Willing to teach and learn
• Good ability to document work and share findings openly
• Working knowledge of Spanish very helpful

Requested Activities:

• Mapping
• Spatial Analysis
• Surveying
• Teaching

Deliverables and results:

• A detailed ArcGIS map of the land
• A geodatabase with raster math products
• Complete training for at least one staff member on use of products and how to conduct the analysis

Volunteering for EcoWB:

-At EcoWB we are connecting volunteers to meaningful work with project makers. As a volunteer-led organization, we value a flexible remote-working environment which fosters collaboration and creativity. We are also exploring possibilities for fieldwork, arranged between the volunteer and the host organization. EcoWB has a give-what -you-can approach, offering short volunteer assignments to fit your lifestyle. Each volunteer experience is unique and tailored to the needs and availability of both project maker and volunteer(s).