Cuban Wildlife and Tropical Forests
Cuba is on the cusp of a wave of economic development, threatening some of the unique biodiversity living there. Help researchers and wildlife managers to gain a better understanding of wildlife within protected areas in Cuba to better conserve these species.
The mountainous forests of Lomas de Banao Ecological Reserve are home to species only found in the Caribbean—including the vulnerable Cuban Parakeet and the near threatened Cuban Amazon Parrot. Despite this unique biodiversity, long-term political complexities with the U.S. and other nations stymied collaborative international research. But now international relations are improving, making this a critical moment for the island nation's wildlife. As Cuba becomes more open to the world, many predict new economic opportunities and the development that comes along with it.
Researchers are now able to recruit citizen scientists to help them take stock of the wildlife that inhabit these beautiful, protected lands, information that will be crucial to informing management and conservation plans as the island becomes increasingly developed. In its initial years, this project helped produce the first-ever baseline assessments of biodiversity in Banao—including data on birds, reptiles, amphibians, and plant-life. In analyzing these data, scientists determined that researching and conserving primary pollinators and seed dispersers, including birds and bats, is essential to maintaining and improving the integrity of habitats within the forest. In the second phase of this project, volunteers will support this pollinator research by working with a team of scientists from Cuba and Argentina to document the many endemic and migratory bird species that inhabit the reserves. You’ll document bird sightings, record bird songs, monitor bat populations, and survey forest trees—particularly royal palms, which provide habitat for cavity-nesting birds. The data collected will help to paint a more complete picture of these protected areas and how increased development could impact biodiversity in the future.
For more information or to book contact our office (03) 9016 7590 or email
Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tim Hoffman | "Wonderful Experience in Cuba"Hang out with experts on the birds, trees, and bats of Cuba. Spend time walking the forest transects to spot and count birds, identifying and measuring trees in the forest quadrants, and counting and identifying bats caught using mist nets. It’s all great fun. The scientists leading this work are outstanding. They love to share their knowledge and enthusiasm about the research. Since there are five leaders, there are many opportunities to interact with them. In addition to the enjoyable field work, the accommodations, the two locations, the food, and the extracurricular activities were all first-rate… As with every Earthwatch expedition I have been on, the researchers really appreciate our support. |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Antonio Martinez | November "Mapping Biodiversity in Cuba"Located in a very comfortable and beautiful setting, the work was meaningful and interesting. The Cuban people - both support staff and scientists - were gracious, caring, friendly, and superb hosts. We ended feeling we had helped make a difference, while making new friends. |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Marion Bittinger | "Mapping Biodiversity in Cuba"This Earthwatch program gave me the unprecedented opportunity to experience Cuba and its environment and people firsthand. I felt very much a part of the research, and the direct interaction with such expert scientists made my small contributions feel significant and helpful. The multi-faceted nature of this particular expedition allowed me to dabble in birds, plants, and mammals (bats!), and helped me to understand better the workings of the ecosystem as a whole. I'm so glad I participated. |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sylvia Fine | "Choose this one!"This expedition takes place in a beautiful place, with friendly, brilliant, and knowledgeable leaders who are very grateful for both the financial and fieldwork support from volunteers. It was a lot of fun getting up close and personal with bats and bee hummingbirds! There is plenty of mud on steep slopes, so bring a hiking stick. (I learned that one can carry one on board a plane with a doctor's note saying it is needed!) Conditions are rustic: electricity comes and goes, and heavy rain puts mud in the water source so the tanks of shower and toilet water may get shut off until the stream clears… |
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Activity Level: Moderate
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Location: Lomas de Banao Ecological Reserve, Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
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Lead Scientist: