VOLUNTEER TROPICAL RESEARCH ASSISTANT in Monteverde, Costa Rica. The
work  will be on the importance of birds to tropical forest restoration.
At the  Cloud Forest School in Monteverde, Costa Rica, students in grades
K to 11  have been reforesting abandoned pastures to restore the tropical
cloud  forest. Because birds disperse seeds of many tropical plants and
also eat  herbivorous insects, they are a critical component to tropical
forest  restoration and regeneration. More frequent visits by birds in
the  reforestation and naturally regenerating areas should increase the
rate of  forest regeneration. I am seeking someone to assist with
monitoring the bird  community in terms of diversity and abundance in the
reforestation areas for  at least two to three months. The assistant must
have excellent bird  identification skills, be willing to work very early
mornings, and work  independently. Pay is not available, but this is an
ideal opportunity to  develop an independent project or be co-author on a
publication. Starting in  Jan, Feb or Mar 2009 are the best times, but
spring or summer 2009 are also  possible. Contact: PATRICIA TOWNSEND (EM:
ptownsen AT u.washington.edu), Ph.  D. Candidate, Department of Biology,
University of Washington, Seattle, WA.