The End of an Era

After over 6 years of intensive research and community development work in and around the Yachana Reserve, GVI Amazon is coming to a close. We have finished our final research project (look forward to our Road Effects paper, coming soon!) and are handing over the project to our partner, The Yachana Foundation. They will continue to maintain and monitor the reserve, using it as an hands-on science education center for students -- we're very excited to see what fabulous things this next generation of scientists find! For more detail on GVI Amazon's closure, and our accomplishments over the years, please read on...
GVI Amazon Closure Statement

Friday, May 8, 2009

A Final Round Up.

A final week for some and a mid-phase break for others. The weather was changeable as only the rainforest can be, tropicla downpours and scorching sunshine. Those heading out after 5 weeks were keen to take advantage of their last few days in the forest. Some amazing walks were undertaken, in amongst some amphibian transects and vital vegetation mapping.

The highlight of the last week without a doubt were the night walks. Some amazing sightings of amphibian action - frog loving was the theme. It seems that the heavy rains had triggered breeding in some groups in swampy areas. Lizards and snakes, monkeys and kinkajous, nightjars and owls, all made appearances at different points throughout the night and forest - what a treat!

Two groups headed out into the forest with a packed dinner and dispersed in different locations to watch the sun go down whilst eating their picnics, before venturing out on a final exploration in the rainforest. Wednesday saw the team clean up and pack up before leaving base on Thursday morning where they headed to Tena for a slap up meal and a final night together. Friday the group splits and some go their seperate ways. Half of the volunteers head out to Banos for a weekend break and the rest head back to Quito to their next destination. GVI teaching project in Otavalo calls three of the Amazon team, more adventures in new locations, whilst others return from where they came. An amazing 5 weeks of surveys and teaching, fun and hard work, adventure and friendship, hopefully a time to remember!
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