Training Program: Conservation Technology
Join Our Field Team!
Quick Facts
- Start Dates: May 30, June 13, or June 27
- End Date: August 1
- Minimum Commitment: 4 weeks (may extend up to 8 weeks)
- Location: Los Amigos Conservation Hub, Peru
- Application Deadline: April 15, 2021
- Program Fee: $1800 for 4 weeks; $450 each additional week (includes food and lodging, transportation to the field station from Puerto Maldonado and back, training and use of field equipment)
- Pandemic Contingencies: If this program is cancelled by FPI for issues beyond our control, all fees paid will be refunded, minus a 1.5% credit card processing fee. More info in the FAQ below.
Phones are smaller, lighter, lower-energy, more waterproof, and have longer lasting batteries today than ever before. Across the globe, technological advancements with clear commercial applications garner the most attention from the best engineering minds, and innovative solutions are continually generated for a wide range of puzzling problems. However, to date, the field of conservation has not received such a significant investment of time, effort, and skills, despite being in critical need of innovation.
Several organizations are out to correct this (ConservationX Labs, Rainforest Connection, RESOLVE), but there remain a great number of problems that have not been addressed with new or adapted technologies. Even in areas where innovation is presently occurring, having multiple groups tackling these obstacles can only accelerate and improve the solutions.
For field biologists in the Amazon rainforest, this is a particularly relevant phenomenon. We work with some of the most unusual species under some of the most challenging circumstances. Often, the specific problems that we encounter are those that very few people face, making them even less likely to be addressed by current commercial entities.
Our solution? To set up our own engineering team to a focus on the particular challenges and obstacles that we face in our research programs.
The goal? To use new and adapted technologies to make field biology more efficient, less labor intensive, and safer for wildlife.
LoRa Communications Network
Our team will be utilizing a long range, low power wireless platform called LoRa, developed by Semtech and utilized by the Internet of Things as their platform of choice. We plan to wire our study area to be able to listen to sensors placed within them, including those on animal-carried collars, remote animal censusing devices, smart traps and others. Such technology has been extensively tested in open environments such as the African savannah but suffers range-restrictions in the Amazon where the signal must effectively travel from sensor to receiver through a meters-thick solid wall of wood. Our goal is to find and test systems that can overcome this barrier and still effectively communicate a signal.
Wearable Animal Trackers
The “Biscuit” is a low-weight, low-cost tracker that can function on a single coin cell battery for several months. It is designed to fit on a tamarin, in a collar weighing less than 20g with batteries included. It’s also designed to resist the efforts of tamarins and their tamarin friends from ingeniously picking it apart or destroying it in some way. It will communicate via LoRa to let us remotely track our long-term study subjects for the first time.
It’s big sister, the “Cookie” is a device under construction that will be adaptable to placement on mid-sized mammals. Mostly, it will use the same “brain” as the Biscuit, while increasing its battery life, varying sensors, and possibly improving communication ranges. Other potential improvements under consideration include powering via solar panels.
Remote Animal Censusing
The “Naturechip” is an all-in-one camera trap, RFID tag reader, and weigh scale. It will be deployed in several use cases, beginning with tracking the microchipped primates in the study population. Typically, the wildlife handling team spends several weeks manually monitoring up to 11 sites at once to record primate habituation to baited sites. By modifying the Naturechip we plan to automate this process into a system that will alert scientists at camp at the arrival of the groups to each site, the ID of the group, as well as record detailed images for later analysis. This will free up our team to expand to new sites and operate with a smaller footprint. But the potential for this device is virtually limitless – one or more of its components could be used in long-term monitoring sites globally. One of the goals of this research program is to investigate other use-cases.
Noninvasive Sample Collecting
Some of the least studied mammals in the Amazon rainforest are unknown to us because of their cryptic nature. One does not get to track them or habituate them as easily as one can with most primates, for example. For them, we have to get clever. Our goal is to develop molecular tools to assist with population monitoring along with our partners, but to do so, we need to establish reliable ways of sampling from a single individual in the wild. Today, we can test for armadillos or tayras in general, but we cannot easily say how many of each exactly are present in an environment. This requires a single DNA sample, from a single animal, reliably collected and analysed before degradation in tropical environments.
Enter the hair snare – a simple, low-cost device that animals rub against, painlessly depositing a few hairs, after which the device will seal off the sample to keep it separate from the next such animal. By placement of “smart” snares at varying heights, accompanied with differing scent-lures, we will explore how to collect from cryptic animals such as tayras, capybaras, peccary, armidillos, etc. Our list is intentionally broad, because this has never been attempted on a large-scale before in the region. Who will come by? Only time and the inventiveness of this team will tell!
Smart Trap Technology
Broad-scale animal monitoring for wildlife health or biomonitoring is often restricted because safe animal handling standards require the frequent checking of trap lines. Often, days go by with no success, and the manual effort expended on trap monitoring is extremely high. We are developing systems that we can attach to existing hardware that will make each trapping event quick and efficient. Each trap will alert scientists a distance away, allowing them to quickly and efficiently process animals, as they are captured. Traps will also receive modifications to hold animals for a short period of time and then release them (in the case of small rodents and marsupials), then sealing off the entrance to protect fecal and hair samples deposited noninvasively inside. This will allow us to expand the area covered each night, reduce stress on animals, improve screening efficiencies and achieve project goals in a safer and more consistent manner.
Skills and Training
If you join this program, you will develop the following skillsets:
- Design and improvement of smart traps for biosurveillance
- Development of techniques for increasing the signal range of LoRa communications networks
- Passive animal monitoring technology: assembly, maintainance and deployment
- Data pipeline development for sensor produced data
- Daily expeditions into the rainforest for sensor deployment and checks
- Presence at mark-recapture events where animals will be tagged with tracking devices
- (Optional): Write operational software in ArduinoIDE/Java
- (Optional): Prototype your own field deployable sensor
Who we are looking for:
- Participants who enjoy puzzles and welcome a challenge, since most of what we are attempting in this program has never been attempted before at this scale.
- Participants with shop skills and technology/programming experience will enjoy this program
- If you like to build things, innovate, solve puzzles and invent technological or programmatic solutions to problems, then this program is for you.
We are currently recruiting participants with the following qualities. If you are uncertain if you are eligible, don’t rule out this program, contact us to confirm.
Minimum Requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years of age by the time the training program begins (no upper age-limit)
- A letter of recommendation from a source that can substantiate the participant’s experience and skills
- A vaccine to COVID-19 (see FAQ below for details)
- Participants must be in good physical condition, with the capability to walk 4 miles a day
- Due to the nature of the work and weather constraints, participants must be willing to be flexible about their weekly and daily schedules
- Technical skills of some level are essential (woodworking, PCB assembly/programming)
Preferred Requirements
- Participants must demonstrate a grounding or strong interest in zoology, biology, or conservation technology
- Previous field experience is not required, but never hurts.
- Participants must be willing to move from workshop to field components each day, with occasional bouts of solely field or workshop sessions as needed.
- Participants can expect flexible schedules that are dependent on the weather and the success of deployment of each type of technology.
Who We Are
This project began in 2009, and the primary investigators working on it currently are Ishaan Raghunandan, Mrinalini Watsa, Gideon Erkenswick, and Gustav Steinhardt.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Apply online here. You will need a CV/resume and two references.
2. Once we hear from your references, we will schedule an interview with the principal investigator of your desired project
3. If accepted, you will be notified within 1 week
4. Upon acceptance, gain student access to online training modules to get prepared before you arrive.
5. Turn in medical info, vaccination record, liability waivers, etc.
6. See you in the field!
While it is impossible to predict how the global pandemic will continue to unfold, we were able to safely conduct our programs in 2021, 2022, and fully expect to do so again in 2023. However, we do ask that all participants, upon acceptance into the program, check with us before purchasing airline tickets.
*If a program postponement occurs and a participant could no longer join on the revised dates, we would refund all fees paid up to that point, minus a 1.5% credit card processing fee. Similarly, if FPI must cancel a program completely for any reason, we will refund participant fees.
Learn more about FPI and COVID-19 HERE
If FPI cancels a program due to complications related to COVID-19, participants would receive all but 1.5% of fees already paid. The 1.5% represents the credit processing fees charged to FPI for accepting online payments.
Our cancellation policy is:
- 30 days or more before your start date: 45% refunded
- Less than 30 days from your start date: no refund is possible
Our cancellation policy specific to COVID-19:
- Before May 1st, if you cancel for a COVID-19 related reason, you will get all payments refunded, minus a 1.5% credit processing fee.
- After May 1st, FPI will have paid a large portion of your program fees to our field station partners, who provide your accommodations and meals the entire time you are on site. This means that those withdrawing due to COVID-19 after May 1st will be refunded all fees paid minus 6.5%. This portion is retained solely to cover our own credit processing fees, as well as the bank fees incurred by our partners at the Los Amigos Conservation Hub in Peru.
Yes, but it would have to be approved by your university, who will also bill you for the credit hours. If approved, there is also an additional $250 fee that serves as an honorarium for the FPI senior scientist mentoring you through this project. From there, it is just a matter of coordinating between your university mentor and the FPI researcher.
In order to train our research teams, it is necessary that everyone arrives on specific start dates and be trained together to stay on pace with their cohort.
In addition, we arrange to meet arriving groups at the airport, escort them to get COVID tested in Puerto Maldonado, and pick up any last-minute supplies before leaving very early the following morning to the field station. Getting to the field station requires travel overland to a small town called Laberinto (~45 minutes), then a 5-6 hour boat ride upriver. All of this would be difficult for most participants to do alone, which is why we ask that you arrive on fixed program start dates.
If you REALLY cannot make a particular start date, don’t abandon hope – email us and we can do our best to accommodate you.
There are pretty firm minimum requirements for each long-term research training program (typically 5 weeks). These are firm because each participant must be trained, during which time the data they collect cannot be relied upon entirely.
On the other hand, for most programs you are welcome to apply for stays that are longer than the minimum period, which is common among our student researchers. This can be arranged beforehand, or even sometimes in the field if accommodation is available at the field station.
If you have a special circumstance and want to request a shorter program time, you may contact us and we will discuss it with the lead investigators on your chosen project. There is no guarantee, but in the past we have been able to accommodate on occasion.
Our courses have fewer enrollment requirements, and we strongly encourage anyone to apply. The long-term programs involve becoming an integral part of a research team, and thus are more competitive.
You absolutely can apply to both a field course and a long-term training program if the dates will line up! In fact, if you are accepted into the long-term program you can attend a field course for a lower fee (typically a $400 discount)
No, you do not need previous research experience. These are training programs designed for participants at all levels. It can be hard to acquire field experience, so we balance our teams with veteran researchers and those new to the world of field research. We seek bright and enthusiastic candidates with the right temperament to work in this challenging environment.
The cost to participate includes:
- Lodging and all meals at the field station
- Specialized equipment and supplies necessary to conduct training and research activities.
Program fees do NOT include:
- Transportation to the field station from Puerto Maldonado
- staff will meet with you in Puerto Maldonado and guide you to the field station, but you will cover this cost (around $30) on your own
- Lodging and meals in Puerto Maldonado
- Health or travel insurance
- Required vaccinations
- Binoculars or other personal field equipment
A large majority of the fees paid to our training programs cover lodging fees charged by the host field station. Importantly, at the Los Amigos Biological Station lodging fees not only support the cost of running and maintaining a remote field site, but contribute to the larger mission of their parent NGO (Association for the Conservation of the Amazon Basin) to protect conservation areas, monitor deforestation, maintain wildlife corridors, and more.
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
We are now able to offer a peer-to-peer fundraising program for research assistants. Once accepted, you would be able to (optionally) create a shareable profile on our platform. This is a team-based initiative, so half of your raised funds will go toward your own program fees, while the other half will go into pool to be split evenly among all program participants who had at least 5 donors. More details will be available during (and after) your interview.
Scholarships
We offer three scholarships to our programs & courses in field biology and conservation.
All Scholarships Cover:
- Meals and lodging at the field station
- Basic equipment required to attend the course (not including binocular/boots)
Scholarships Do Not Cover (unless specifically noted):
- Transportation to the local contact point.
- Binoculars, boots, basic medications, backpacks, or other personal items
- Vaccinations and medical insurance. All participants must provide proof of medical insurance before travel.
*Ensure you meet the qualifications for the scholarship you are applying for before submitting an application.
Other Options
If you require help with the cost of the program, there are other options that you might pursue as well. You could start by contacting the Office of Undergraduate Research of your school, or request professional development support from your employer. Here you can explore what is available through your college/place-of-work, as well as through external funding sources. Many universities have SURF (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship) programs, which may provide stipends for students to pursue independent research. Please note that if you do find any kind of research-related funding — as many RAs have in the past — it will need to be applied for in conjunction with us, on research projects that we approve. In this case, one of our principal investigators will consult with you about developing a project that is feasible.
All participants are required to show proof of medical insurance before joining us in the field. Many travel insurance providers can assist with emergency medical coverage and emergency medical evacuation. Be certain that COVID-19 is covered in your plan.
You will have to provide proof of a normal vaccination record (as listed here by the CDC). For travel to Peru, we require that you also get the following vaccines:
- Typhoid
- Yellow Fever
- Tetanus
- COVID-19 (no exceptions)
- Rabies pre-exposure series (only for those in programs involving wildlife handling of mammals.)
If you have the flu shot for the year, all the better. Find a travel clinic and get your shots EARLY.
A fully independent research project is not feasible in this program due to time constraints, as well as the fact that all research projects must be sanctioned by the field station, approved by an IRB/IACUC, and have the required permits from the relevant government agencies in Peru. All of our research projects have obtained the necessary approvals and permits, which cover the specific data we collect and how we use it.
That said, some candidates may have an opportunity to win a grant that will fund their program fees and travel, and that grant requires them to submit a research proposal. If this is your situation, we may be able to work with you on a proposal. You can contact us at info@fieldprojects.org and let us know your situation. Then after you officially apply to the program, you can discuss this in greater depth with one of our senior scientists.
We cannot accommodate completely independent projects, but we can assist you with finding a subset of our samples or data that has not yet been fully analyzed, which you could potentially develop further under our supervision.
Yes, you can. We do not give co-authorship for collecting data alone, but we offer interested students the opportunity to work on data analyses after the summer research program, that could lead to co-authorship in the future. Many of our former field team members have gone on to become research collaborators.
It is too early to predict any quarantine requirements that may be in place for those arriving in Peru. However, in 2021, the 14-day quarantine was permitted at each visitor’s final destination if they got there within 24 hours after landing in Lima. The field station where we work was permitted to serve as this site, since they meet all government-approved COVID protocols, and have the capacity to maintain social distance between all visitors.
Negative tests are not currently an official requirement for those arriving at the field station, but a strong recommendation. Researchers from different institutions and others who are not affiliated with FPI also use this field station, and while temperatures will be taken and screening questions will be asked of everyone, there is no guarantee that an asymptomatic or presymptomatic person won’t be present. This means that masks, social distancing, and other detailed protocols are especially important. In addition, this is why we require all participants to get vaccinated.
The first signs of suspected symptoms or a temperature above 100 degrees Fahrenheit should be reported immediately to the field station managers and FPI senior scientists. They will have protocols for isolating symptomatic guests, arranging viral testing, notifying those you have been in contact with, and evacuating you to the nearest hospital if necessary. (Note that travel to a hospital and any care there is at your own cost; make sure your insurance policy covers this.)
The nearest healthcare facilities are in Puerto Maldonado, which is approximately 4-5 hours downriver from our field site. In that city, our Peruvian partners have a recommended doctor certified by MINSA (the Ministry go Health). There are also other private and public healthcare options. The private facilities are more expensive (one of the reasons we require participants to have travel medical insurance), but they will likely be able to treat patients faster if public facilities are full.
The second option would be in Cusco, which is approximately 10 hours by car from Puerto Maldonado. There are more clinics in Cusco than Puerto Maldonado.
*While everyone will have their temperatures taken upon arrival by an infrared thermometer, we suggest that participants bring their own thermometers in their first-aid kits, and check themselves daily.
If a person must leave the field station to get treatment and recover from COVID-19, they will be permitted to return after 7 days with a negative antigen test. A negative molecular test will let someone back to the station after 14 days.
The field station’s safety protocols apply to everybody: staff, researchers, guests, and visitors. We do not yet know exactly what these will be in June 2023, but we can share some insight from 2021.
In 2021, every new person arriving at the field station met with the science director to go over the COVID-protocol with them personally, including the mandatory use of face masks, hand sanitizer, and social distancing. There are planned spaces equipped for maximum distance between people.
People living or traveling together in a group for more than 14 days were able to share the same table at the commissary and will be treated as a “grupo de aislamiento,” keeping distance from other guests or groups. Room service and/or separate seating at different tables will be arranged for all others.
The field station also practiced “cuarentena laboral.” This means that there were separate working areas, and everyone was expected to avoid using workspaces and equipment that was designated for other individuals or groups.
Our enhanced protocols in laboratory or wildlife handling situations are designed to meet or exceed scientific best practices. They are drafted in conjunction with our Peruvian partners (Conservacion Amazonica), Peruvian authorities (SERFOR) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC) of our affiliate research universities. Broadly speaking, they will involve strict use of face shields, N95 masks, and gloves. Participants will receive detailed instructions on our procedures prior to departing for the field site.