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

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

My BTEC

As a six month intern with GVI’s Amazon Expedition, I have had a lot of opportunities to develop my personal and professional skills. For the past five weeks I have been working on receiving an advanced certificate in supervision of biological surveys, which is part of the BTEC qualification offered on this GVI programme.

So far, I have completed weekly assignments about the surrounding habitats and the species they contain, survey logistics and health and safety. The hands-on learning experience has been amazing and the knowledge of the staff is beyond impressive.


So, now it is time for my final assessment: leading an amphibian survey under the observation of a staff member. This includes; preparing all the survey equipment, signing out a medical kit and radio, giving a pre and post survey briefings and covering all health and safety issues.


Despite having participated in surveys many times, I can’t help but be nervous about leading one. However, I love demonstrating what I have learnt about the projects in the last five weeks, and I am constantly improving my ability to lead surveys in the future! Wish me luck!


Mel Forbes - GVI Amazon Conservation Intern, Jun-Dec 2010


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