Conservation-Based Drone Mapping and Spatial Ecology
Peru’s Amazon Rainforest – Volunteer to research spatial sciences in the remote Las Piedras watershed:
ARCAmazon is looking for volunteers and interns to assist us with drone mapping and spatial analysis. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and drone application for neotropical research and conservation management have rapidly expanded in the last decade. At ARCAmazon we are employing a number of commonly used as well as novel techniques and technologies to map our land and study the spatial ecology of the animals residing there. The primary operation is the exploration and mapping of the natural and man-made features of the concession using Global Positioning Devices and DJI Phantom 4 Drones. Currently, we are employing mapping applications for Smartphones and Tablets to map all of the upper canopy trees and their features throughout the diverse forest types of the land. Likewise, we are using similar applications, combined with drone technology to monitor the extent of illegal encroachment such as logging, mining, and poaching on the concession as support for our ranger program. We also utilize drones to acquire footage to be used in promotional videos and documentaries prepared at the site. This program is cross-disciplinary with the majority of our research teams such as 3D modeling with the canopy project, and habitat mapping for primate microhabitat limitations.
Program Highlights:
- Use drones to map and protect the Amazon rainforest
- Create cinematographic drone-captured videos
- Conduct research and exploration using a personal global positioning device
- Learn GIS basics to analyse the gathered data
- Construct and analyze drone-captured orthomosaics
- Apply cloud-based GIS using smartphones and tablets
- Learn to use and maintain equipment in the trying neotropical environment
- Expreience the challenges and successes of rainforest conservation
- Immerse yourself in one of the mose biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth
Program Fees:
- 1 Week – US$ 950
- 2 Weeks – US$ 1,445
- 3 Weeks – US$ 1,750
- 1 Month – US$ 2,345
- 2 Months – US$ 3,955
- 3 Months – US$ 5,130
- 4 Months – US$ 6,120
- 5 Months – US$ 7,500
- 6 Months – US$ 9,000
— Fees cover full board and lodging, training and supervision, daily wildlife research, plenty of fun adventures and relaxing in-between work, airport transfers and in-country support.
Remember, ARCAmazon is a non-profit so 100% of fees are used to cover the costs of research, conservation and sustainable development in the Las Piedras watershed.
More Details – Drone Mapping and Spatial Science Program
Volunteers will assist in the exploration of the concession and the recording of its features such as streams and ridge lines using GPS’ and Drone ortho-mosaicking. This will involve exploring the deeper and remote areas of the concession difficult to access without one of our lead researchers. If exploration, camping and more rigorous adventure is what you are seeking then this is the team for you. Likewise, volunteers will assist in drone operations for cinematography and illegal encroachment monitoring.
Las Piedras Amazon Center (LPAC)
The Las Piedras Amazon Center (LPAC) has been designed to cater for field research, conservation tours, expeditions and learning programs. It has a rustic Medicine Man-style charm. For those who love to experience nature and raw wilderness in rustic comfort, this is the perfect place for immersion into the wild. The center is located near beautiful streams and waterfalls. It’s surrounded by over 50km of trail networks and research transects. The camp is comfortable and sustainable with raised camping platforms covered by up-cycled advertising billboards, a large 2-story central work/dining area and a fully-equipped kitchen. There is running water, limited electricity (4-5 hours a day), outdoor and indoor showers, western and composting toilets. The camp can hold up to 50 guests at a time. There is NO internet or cellular phone network. The center operates as a non-profit business, where 100% of income is used to improve infrastructure, pay dedicated conservation and research staff and expand ARCAmazon’s conservation reach.
See more about LPAC here.
ARCAmazon
Who We Are:
ARCAmazon is a Peruvian non-profit organization that is committed to protecting and conserving Peru’s Amazon Rainforest; its valuable natural resources, its function in reducing climate change, its biodiversity and indigenous peoples. ARCAmazon’s team of experts have been active in Peru’s Madre de Dios region since the 90’s. They have trained thousands of volunteers and interns from all around the world, encouraging many to go on to become professionals in the environmental sector. Our team is constantly gaining knowledge and experience of the complex relationships between humans and the rainforest environment. This helps us to refine our conservation strategies and essentially become more effective over time. We lead and support research on themes from biodiversity to ethnobotany, socio-economics to sustainable business, agro-forestry to permaculture and conservation. ARCAmazon believes in the importance of sharing data with land owners, policy makers, NGOs and businesses, to help encourage all parties to take a stake in protecting this critical part of the planet.
The Amazon Rainforest in Peru is the perfect environment for aspiring researchers and wildlife enthusiasts to gain invaluable knowledge and skills while making a difference on the front-lines of ecosystem and biodiversity conservation. The work we do requires energy and enthusiasm of many. We are looking for people from all nations, races, sexuality, ethnicity, ages, beliefs and interests to get involved. All we ask for is that you bring passion, respect, love and a desire to take action for good, to save one of the last truly wild frontiers on the planet.
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