Butterflies of Vietnam

  Vietnam

Rural Areas

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: Inquire for specific dates.

Description: Research Mission
Monitor and collect more than 100 species of colorful butterflies in Tam Dao National Park.

Situation Report
Tam Dao National Park, Vietnam Sought after by naturalists and prized by collectors, butterflies are also sensitive indicators of ecological change. Thanks to their astounding diversity, high visibility, short life cycles, and specialized host-plant requirements, these living bursts of color provide a window into the health of an ecosystem. That window is desperately needed for Tam Dao National Park, which is struggling against a growing human population and a history of exploitation for timber, wildlife, and slash-and-burn agriculture. Entomologist Dr. Vu Van Lien, who has been surveying tropical forest diversity in Vietnam for ten years, is investigating what butterfly populations can tell us about habitat disturbance in Tam Dao's verdant forests. You can help Vu monitor butterflies, find caterpillars and food plants for breeding butterflies, and identify ecological indicator and threatened species.

Meals and Accommodations
Your team will stay two to a room at a hotel in a beautiful site inside Tam Dao National Park with indoor plumbing, hot showers, and electricity. Teams will eat together at the hotel or local restaurants, where a variety of Asian, Vietnamese, and some western-style foods are available. The village is a 15-minute walk from the research site, and close to a variety of diversions.

Highlights: On the Expedition
You will rise early to walk a series of transects at an elevation of 900 meters, through different habitats, counting all butterflies you can identify by sight and catching those that you don't recognize for later identification. You will learn to recognize butterflies on the wing, from giant birdwings to effervescent whites, and try your hand at identifying more challenging skippers, blues, and coppers. You'll also help sample plant species, take pictures of caterpillars, food plants, and butterflies along the same transects, and collect butterfly specimens at other sites. Vietnam's butterfly fauna is still relatively unknown, so you may make discoveries. In your free time, you can hike to local peaks, visit a spectacular waterfall, mingle with local families, go to an open market and temples, bird watch, and enjoy local cultural events.

Qualifications: Earthwatch volunteers are enthusiastic to learn about the research topic and are willing to contribute their time and energy to support leading scientists in conducting field research. Volunteers will be trained upon arrival at the research site. Teams have a minimum age of 18, unless accompanied by parent or legal guardian, in which case the minimum age is 16.

Cost in US$: 2,446

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Earthwatch expeditions appeal to a variety of people: educators gain new knowledge and develop exciting lesson plans; students explore career options and build research skills; writers, photographers and artists contribute their skills and share their experiences through a variety of media; businessmen and women, doctors and nurses, engineers, homemakers, retirees . . . people from all walks of life choose to volunteer on research expeditions each year. Volunteers are actively engaged on a daily basis with the research project, develop global perspectives, and explore new cultures and environments.

Age Range: 18 - 90

This Program is open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Vietnam Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 5-7

Scholarships are Available. - Fellowships may be available, mainly for high-school students and educators. Visit our website for more information.

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Earthwatch Institute's Mission Statement: Earthwatch Institute engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Through a unique method of funding, the volunteers Share of Cost contributes directly to the support of the research projects. Earthwatch enables scientists to pursue research goals and members of the public to gain hands-on experience with science. Each year, over 4,000 people from 46 countries directly contribute to scientific research by working alongside scientists, local community members and other volunteers. Earthwatch volunteers can track sea turtles; join archaeological digs; observe animal behavior; collect rare plants, study dolphin behavior and more. The Earthwatch community also includes 20,000 global members, 4,000 eager volunteers each year, 50 collaborating conservation organizations, and 50 corporate partners, all of whom work together to make a difference. Below you will find out more about our leadership, employment opportunities, and contact information.

Year Founded: 1971