Post by whoopi on Nov 17, 2005 13:09:56 GMT 8
or "Why It's Terrific To Have Lots Of Free Time"
got 2-3 months free this summer? do you feel like getting away from it all, living an unplugged existence and spending weeks in the company of some of the most awesome creatures in the ocean? volunteer for WWF's Humpback Whale Survey! experiences like this are the kind you'll talk about for years and years to come.
Introduction
This is intended to give prospective volunteers for the Humpback whale Research and Conservation Project (HWRCP) some idea about the background of the project, the humpback whales, the study area, and the project objectives. It's also supposed to give you some idea of what you, as volunteers, would do on the project.
The Research
The Humpback Whale Research and Conservation Project (HWRCP) of World Wide Fund for Nature - Philippines (WWF-Philippines) has been studying a population of humpback whales in the Babuyan Islands, Northern Luzon since the summer of 2000. The main objectives of this research are to estimate the minimum abundance of the whales and determine their migratory characteristics, as well as record the physical characteristics of the waters around the Babuyan Islands, with the aim of formulating a conservation plan to protect the unique natural resources in the area. In carrying out its work, HWRCP relies heavily on the help of volunteers in collecting data and conducting information & education activities in the local communities.
Although the exact dates for the 2006 survey have not yet been finalized, the survey team usually leaves Manila in early February and returns by the first week of May (or earlier). While on survey, volunteers can expect long hours in the boat under the summer sun, in changing sea conditions. Recording data, taking photographs and videos of interactions with cetaceans, listening for humpback whale vocalizations, and collecting information on environmental parameters are the main tasks of volunteers at sea. Time off the boat is devoted to organizing data, maintaining equipment and engaging in outreach activities with local stakeholders (fishermen, teachers, students etc).
The Whales and other Cetaceans
This research project involves visual tracking of humpback whales that are migrating south along the northern part of the Philippines. The study site lies on the migratory path of the Western North Pacific population of humpback whales. Every year on the Babuyan Islands, humpback whales migrate south to the warmer waters of the breeding grounds in the Philippines during January - May and then return northwards to the feeding grounds (Alaska, Russia).
Working in an area with the highest number of cetacean species in the Philippines, volunteers will get the chance to observe humpback whales and 13 other cetacean species in their natural habitat. They will be part of a team that is helping to advance the study of marine mammals in the country.
The Islands
> The Babuyan Island group is located off the northern coast of the province of Cagayan. It iscomposed of 5 main islands: Calayan, Camiguin, Fuga, Dalupiri and Babuyan Claro. The island nearest to mainland Cagayan, Camiguin, can be reached in 4-5 hours by motorized outrigger boats. The main island of Calayan is also accessible by motorized outrigger boats in 8-10 hours. Research is focused primarily on the islands of Camiguin and Calayan, but may also include Fuga and Babuyan Claro.
Except for Calayan, which has a power plant that operates from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., there is no electricity on the islands, although some private homes have their own generators. Water for drinking and washing is drawn from deep wells. There are very few paved roads in the islands, and aside from farm machinery, motorbikes, and trucks used by the municipal government, very few vehicles. Mobile phones (Smart and Globe) operate in Calayan and Fuga. There's a possibility of Smart Communication being operational in Camiguin by next year.
Accomodations for the survey team will be in private homes. Team members are expected to help out with household chores, primarily shopping for food, cooking and cleaning up. Individuals selected as survey volunteers are expected to shoulder the following costs: 1) training 2) transportation to and from the research site 3) personal insurance. Volunteers who are not based in Manila must also be prepared to arrange for their own accomodations and living expenses while in Manila. Once the volunteers have successfully completed their training and are deployed in the field, HWRCP gives each volunteer a modest living allowance to cover food and other incidental expenses. Lodging in the field and other survey-related costs are also shouldered by the project. Food will be bought in the mainland and brought in the island using the pooled money from the living allowance of each volunteer. Since food bought will be for everyone, fussy eaters will not be catered for.
The Call
As we prepare for our 7th survey season in the summer of 2006, we are looking for men and women with the following qualifications to serve as volunteers:
1. Committed to conservation
2. Have volunteer experience
3. A degree or background in the natural sciences
4. With field research experience especially doing vessel surveys
5. Willing to work long hours
6. Willing to be based in the Babuyan Islands for the entire duration of the survey (2-3 months)
7. Can commit 1-2 months to help in organizing/analyzing data after the survey
8. Can work effectively as part of a team
9. Can relate well with people of varying backgrounds
10. Hardworking, patient, and with a good sense of humor
*Experience in photography/video recording or a background in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is an advantage.
Individuals possessing the abovementioned qualifications who would like to apply as survey volunteers should forward their comprehensive resumes to:
Elson Q. Aca
Project Manager
Humpback Whale Research and Conservation Project
WWF-Philippines
4th Flr. JBD Plaza
#65 Mindanao Avenue
Bagong Pag-asa
Quezon City 1105
Philippines
e-mail: eaca@wwf.org.ph (Cc: mmanalo@wwf.org.ph)
fax: (63)(2) 426 39 27
The last date for submission of applications is 20 December 2005.
Final word ...
We hope this gives you some idea of what we are doing at Babuyan Islands and what you as potential volunteers will be expected to do. The work will be demanding, physically and mentally, and volunteers we're after need to be mature, self-sufficient young scientists who are interested in the work and who will work hard.
got 2-3 months free this summer? do you feel like getting away from it all, living an unplugged existence and spending weeks in the company of some of the most awesome creatures in the ocean? volunteer for WWF's Humpback Whale Survey! experiences like this are the kind you'll talk about for years and years to come.
Introduction
This is intended to give prospective volunteers for the Humpback whale Research and Conservation Project (HWRCP) some idea about the background of the project, the humpback whales, the study area, and the project objectives. It's also supposed to give you some idea of what you, as volunteers, would do on the project.
The Research
The Humpback Whale Research and Conservation Project (HWRCP) of World Wide Fund for Nature - Philippines (WWF-Philippines) has been studying a population of humpback whales in the Babuyan Islands, Northern Luzon since the summer of 2000. The main objectives of this research are to estimate the minimum abundance of the whales and determine their migratory characteristics, as well as record the physical characteristics of the waters around the Babuyan Islands, with the aim of formulating a conservation plan to protect the unique natural resources in the area. In carrying out its work, HWRCP relies heavily on the help of volunteers in collecting data and conducting information & education activities in the local communities.
Although the exact dates for the 2006 survey have not yet been finalized, the survey team usually leaves Manila in early February and returns by the first week of May (or earlier). While on survey, volunteers can expect long hours in the boat under the summer sun, in changing sea conditions. Recording data, taking photographs and videos of interactions with cetaceans, listening for humpback whale vocalizations, and collecting information on environmental parameters are the main tasks of volunteers at sea. Time off the boat is devoted to organizing data, maintaining equipment and engaging in outreach activities with local stakeholders (fishermen, teachers, students etc).
The Whales and other Cetaceans
This research project involves visual tracking of humpback whales that are migrating south along the northern part of the Philippines. The study site lies on the migratory path of the Western North Pacific population of humpback whales. Every year on the Babuyan Islands, humpback whales migrate south to the warmer waters of the breeding grounds in the Philippines during January - May and then return northwards to the feeding grounds (Alaska, Russia).
Working in an area with the highest number of cetacean species in the Philippines, volunteers will get the chance to observe humpback whales and 13 other cetacean species in their natural habitat. They will be part of a team that is helping to advance the study of marine mammals in the country.
The Islands
> The Babuyan Island group is located off the northern coast of the province of Cagayan. It iscomposed of 5 main islands: Calayan, Camiguin, Fuga, Dalupiri and Babuyan Claro. The island nearest to mainland Cagayan, Camiguin, can be reached in 4-5 hours by motorized outrigger boats. The main island of Calayan is also accessible by motorized outrigger boats in 8-10 hours. Research is focused primarily on the islands of Camiguin and Calayan, but may also include Fuga and Babuyan Claro.
Except for Calayan, which has a power plant that operates from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., there is no electricity on the islands, although some private homes have their own generators. Water for drinking and washing is drawn from deep wells. There are very few paved roads in the islands, and aside from farm machinery, motorbikes, and trucks used by the municipal government, very few vehicles. Mobile phones (Smart and Globe) operate in Calayan and Fuga. There's a possibility of Smart Communication being operational in Camiguin by next year.
Accomodations for the survey team will be in private homes. Team members are expected to help out with household chores, primarily shopping for food, cooking and cleaning up. Individuals selected as survey volunteers are expected to shoulder the following costs: 1) training 2) transportation to and from the research site 3) personal insurance. Volunteers who are not based in Manila must also be prepared to arrange for their own accomodations and living expenses while in Manila. Once the volunteers have successfully completed their training and are deployed in the field, HWRCP gives each volunteer a modest living allowance to cover food and other incidental expenses. Lodging in the field and other survey-related costs are also shouldered by the project. Food will be bought in the mainland and brought in the island using the pooled money from the living allowance of each volunteer. Since food bought will be for everyone, fussy eaters will not be catered for.
The Call
As we prepare for our 7th survey season in the summer of 2006, we are looking for men and women with the following qualifications to serve as volunteers:
1. Committed to conservation
2. Have volunteer experience
3. A degree or background in the natural sciences
4. With field research experience especially doing vessel surveys
5. Willing to work long hours
6. Willing to be based in the Babuyan Islands for the entire duration of the survey (2-3 months)
7. Can commit 1-2 months to help in organizing/analyzing data after the survey
8. Can work effectively as part of a team
9. Can relate well with people of varying backgrounds
10. Hardworking, patient, and with a good sense of humor
*Experience in photography/video recording or a background in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is an advantage.
Individuals possessing the abovementioned qualifications who would like to apply as survey volunteers should forward their comprehensive resumes to:
Elson Q. Aca
Project Manager
Humpback Whale Research and Conservation Project
WWF-Philippines
4th Flr. JBD Plaza
#65 Mindanao Avenue
Bagong Pag-asa
Quezon City 1105
Philippines
e-mail: eaca@wwf.org.ph (Cc: mmanalo@wwf.org.ph)
fax: (63)(2) 426 39 27
The last date for submission of applications is 20 December 2005.
Final word ...
We hope this gives you some idea of what we are doing at Babuyan Islands and what you as potential volunteers will be expected to do. The work will be demanding, physically and mentally, and volunteers we're after need to be mature, self-sufficient young scientists who are interested in the work and who will work hard.