In 2008, I moved to Puerto Rico and started work as Volunteer Coordinator and Herpetologist at Las Casas de la Selva (www.eyeontherainforest.org). We partnered with Earthwatch (www.earthwatch.org), a nonprofit that provided volunteers to help us collect data for our scientific studies. Volunteers ranged from ages 18-75, and came from all walks of life.
Some Earthwatch groups were large, others, small. All were welcome, and over the years, I was able to help organize and lead dozens of groups.
Several of the Earthwatch groups were designated for teens aged 16-18. Here, I am teaching the 2010 Earthwatch teen group how to measure SVL on frogs.
Earthwatch is not the only organization that partners with Las Casas de la Selva. We regularly hosted "Alternative Spring Break" groups from universities across the US. Pepperdine University was one such school; we hosted groups of their students every February. I would lead groups in projects such as trail clearing, digging drainage ditches, planting trees, and erosion control.
Searching for anoles in an area of the forest where a tree fall opened the canopy.
Freshwater crabs are common in the rocky rivers and streams of Icaco and Hormiga Valleys.
Even on vacation, I can't resist catching the local lizards. In Naguabo, Puerto Rico.
The forest is a great place to have a lunch break when your Earthwatch group gets hungry and needs a break from catching anoles.
Talking with John Allen, an inventor, metallurgist, ecologist, and one of the founders of Las Casas de la Selva and Biosphere 2 (www.biosphere2.org).
With fellow ecologist Tatiana Quiroz, after exploring Hormiga Valley in order to determine the feasibility of bringing groups to the valley for biodiversity studies.
Eleutherodactylus richmondi, the "Coqui Caoba", was one species that was found during my biodiversity surveys. This species displays significant sexual dymorphism- the frog on the left is a fully grown male. The female is on the right. This species is listed by the IUCN as Endangered.
Anolis cuvieri, the Puerto Rican Giant Anole. This species is the crown-giant ecomorphs of Puerto Rico, it is often in the canopy and is rarely seen at Las Casas de la Selva.
Eleutherdactylus coqui, the "Coqui Commun", perhaps the most famous frog in Puerto Rico. The coqui is a national symbol of Puerto Rico, and is endemic to the island. It gets its name from its call, the loud "Ko-kee" that males use to attract females. This species holds the designation of "loudest frog on the planet" as the males call at 80-100 decibels.
Eleutherodactylus cooki, the "Guajon", is a habitat specialist that is found only in Southeast Puerto Rico. It is listed as Endangered by the IUCN and is protected by the US Endangered Species Act. Las Casas de la Selva contains some of the westernmost known habitat for this species, which utilizes cracks/crevices and small caves alongside rocky mountain streams.
Sometimes, you get to see animals engaging in interesting behavior. This Puerto Rican Crested Anole (Anolis cristatellus) is enjoying marshmellow residue from a stick used to make s'mores over a campfire the night before.
Searching for the Puerto Rican Slider (Trachemys stejnegeri stejnegeri) in the vicinity of Lago Carriazo in Truillo Alto, Puerto Rico.
Trachemys stejnegeri stejnegeri is the only endemic freshwater turtle in Puerto Rico, and is threatened by the introduction of nonnative turtle species, urbanization, and habitat loss. I was conducting a genetic analysis and population assessment of the subspecies in 2017, but these efforts were derailed by the UPR student strike and Hurricane Maria.