Songbirds of the Tetons

  United States

• Other Cities in United States: 
Wyoming,  Jackson

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

Description: Research Mission
Monitor migratory and resident songbirds to discover the reasons for their declining numbers.

Situation Report
Jackson Hole, Wyoming -- A great collection of North American wildlife awaits you in a high valley bordered by majestic mountain ranges. Bison, wolves, and bears live here, along with a plentiful array of forest songbirds, waterfowl, raptors, and trumpeter swans. Sadly, large-scale studies have shown that the number of both resident and migratory songbirds has been declining for the past 30 years. To find out more about why the chickadees, sapsuckers, grosbeaks, thrushes, warblers, woodpeckers, and vireos are disappearing, Drs. Doug Wachob and Dale Gentry are mist-netting, colorbanding, and counting songbirds in several locations throughout Grand Teton National Park and Bridger-Teton National Forest, both parts of the Greater Yellowstone Geo-ecosystem. Through these efforts, they hope to get better estimates of songbird populations, understand how both migratory and resident songbirds use various habitats, and figure out what is causing the population declines.

Meals and Accommodations
Volunteers stay at the Teton Science Schools' 880 Acre Jackson Campus, a beautiful and functional facility nestled between two buttes frequently visited by deer and elk, with hawks streaming overhead. In the residential lodges, you'll share rooms and standard bathrooms, and be just a short walk from the dining lodge. Meals will be prepared for you, and will include typical American fare, such as cereals and fruits for breakfast, sandwiches or salads for lunches, and an array of pastas, grilled meats, and stir-fries, as well as fruit cobblers and ice cream for dessert.

Highlights: You'll be the early bird on this expedition, rising daily at dawn to head off to one of five permanent mist-net sites, where you will spend the morning gently handling, identifying, and banding the birds caught in the net. The birds are released after banding, unharmed. You may also spend some time looking for previously banded birds, which you'll be able to identify by their distinct color-bands, and marking down their GPS locations. In the afternoons, after a break for lunch, showers, and rest, you'll look for bird nests, as well as for color-banded and juvenile birds. Evenings include dinner, followed by a speaker or time to relax and socialize. In your recreational time, you may explore Jackson Hole, take a wildlife tour through the national parks, or visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art.

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$: 2,146

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

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 4 - 12

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

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