New York City Wildlife

  United States

New York

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: see website for details

Description: Help researchers monitor the nature and wildlife that lives in and around the U.S.'s biggest city.

Situation Report
New York City and the Greater New York Area -- A surprising number of birds, small mammals, amphibians, and other wildlife live alongside the 8.2 million people that reside in New York City. More than 250 species of birds have been sighted in the five boroughs alone, along with raccoons, rabbits, deer, bats, foxes, mice, frogs, turtles, and many other species. In the greater New York metropolitan area, extending roughly 100 miles inland in every direction from Manhattan, the diversity of plants and animals is even more extensive. Working with Dr. Catherine Burns and other specialists on the plants and animals of this region, you will help investigate which plants and animals live in the metropolitan region's protected areas, and what conditions they need to survive. With nearly half of the world's population living in cities, understanding the health of the environment in urban areas has never been more important. The information Burns gathers will help regional planners protect urban nature and wildlife, and will help scientists better understand how and why urbanization affects the animals and plants that live in these areas.

Meals and Accommodations
You will stay at the Marshlands Conservancy in Rye, New York, overlooking the picturesque Long Island Sound. Surroundings consist of closed-canopy hardwood forests, meadows, and salt marshes. The Conservancy offers rustic bedrooms in a historic farmhouse, with an option for camping in the surrounding lawns and forests. You will enjoy hot showers and modern bathrooms. Meals will be provided by a staff cook, based on volunteer preferences. There are also a number of restaurants within one mile of the field station, and thousands in nearby New York City.

Highlights: You'll travel to various research sites in and around Manhattan, as well as to some rural areas within 100 miles of the City. At each site, you'll sample wildlife and habitat quality. Depending on the time of year you go, you may track and camera-trap mammals, catch frogs and salamanders in nets or pitfall traps, take water samples, identify birds, or survey native and invasive plant species. Each day you will also be able to learn about the "big picture" of the day's research, gain skill in a variety of field research methods, or hear about other research topics from guest speakers. In your recreational time, New York City offers a staggering array of theatre, museums, landmarks, restaurants, and culture.

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$: 1,746

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+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to United States Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 6-8

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