Field Work

Conservation Mapping in Panama

Type: Topographic survey
Date: January, 2007
Collaborators: Earth Train, Center for Applied Biodiversity Informatics (California Academy of Sciences), EcoReserve.org.
Description: Located approximately 23 miles northeast of Panama City, the Mamoni River watershed is a complex valley made up of farmland, primary rainforest, rivers, and ranching communities. It borders the extensive Kuna Yala Comarca; the traditional territory of the Kuna that extends along the Pacific coast to the border of Colombia. Local NGO, Earth Train was acquiring lands throughout the 28,000 acre valley in partnership with local ranchers and Kuna to identify conservation and restoration priorities for cultural and natural resources. With my colleagues from the Center for Applied Biodiversity Informatics and local partners in Panama, I designed and participated in a topographic survey of the watershed to lay the groundwork for future ecological restoration, sustainable agriculture, youth education, conservation, and research initiatives.
Support: EcoReserve.org