CLIMATE CHANGE: SEA TO TREES AT ACADIA NATIONAL PARK - TEEN TEAM EARTHWATCH 2015

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CLIMATE CHANGE: SEA TO TREES AT ACADIA NATIONAL PARK - TEEN TEAM EARTHWATCH 2015
TEEN TEAM
                                                           EARTHWATCH 2015

    CLIMATE CHANGE: SEA TO TREES
       AT ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
Nicole Morrill Page 1 4/1/15Nicole Morrill Page 1 4/1/15
CLIMATE CHANGE: SEA TO TREES AT ACADIA NATIONAL PARK - TEEN TEAM EARTHWATCH 2015
MESSAGES FROM EARTHWATCH
DEAR EARTHWATCHER,
Welcome to the Climate Change: Sea to Trees in Acadia National Park expedition!

On this expedition you will help solve challenges caused by climate change and other consequences of fossil fuel emissions in one
of America’s most beautiful national parks. You will help track changes in the timing of bird migrations and breeding and fruit
availability—are birds getting the food they need when they need it? You will help us track biodiversity in the intertidal zone—are
periwinkles, crabs, rockweed, and other species adapting to ocean acidification? You may also collect dragonflies to help monitor
mercury in our lakes and wetlands—where is mercury reaching toxic levels in our wildlife? You will make critical contributions
to a large and long-term effort to understand how we can best protect our natural treasures in a time of rapid change.

The problems you help us address result from a variety of causes, but they mostly result from burning a lot of fossil fuel and
pumping carbon dioxide and other chemicals into the atmosphere. As a consequence, our climate is changing, interactions
among species (predator-prey, plant-pollinator, and birds and their food) are being disrupted, and our oceans are becoming more
acidic. These changes are affecting our most treasured natural places and the economies and livelihoods that depend on natural
resources—that is, pretty much everyone, including us in Acadia National Park.

Here in Acadia National Park, in other national parks, and really pretty much everywhere, we need to understand the details
of these changes and their consequences, so that we can respond to them and protect our forests, coasts, lakes, and streams.
The challenges you will help us overcome are of great concern to us in Acadia, and are among the biggest challenges for
conservation everywhere.

Your contributions will help us preserve Acadia National Park’s resources for future generations. We look forward to having you
on our expedition.

Sincerely,
Dr. Abe Miller-Rushing, Lead Earthwatch Scientist

DEAR EARTHWATCHER,
Thank you for joining this expedition! We greatly appreciate your decision to contribute to hands-on environmental science
and conservation.

As an Earthwatch volunteer, you have the opportunity to create positive change. And while you’re out in the field working
toward that change, we are committed to caring for your safety. Although risk is an inherent part of the environments in
which we work, we’ve been providing volunteer field experiences with careful risk management and diligent planning for
over 40 years. You’re in good hands.

We hope this expedition will inspire you to get more involved in conservation and sustainable development priorities—not just
out in the field, but also when you return home. We encourage you to share your experiences with others, and to transfer your
skills and enthusiasm to environmental conservation efforts in your workplace, community, and home.

If you have questions as you prepare for your expedition, contact your Earthwatch office. Thank you for your support,
and enjoy your expedition!
Sincerely,

Larry Mason
President and CEO, Earthwatch

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CLIMATE CHANGE: SEA TO TREES AT ACADIA NATIONAL PARK - TEEN TEAM EARTHWATCH 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL INFORMATION ................. 4
TRIP PLANNER ............................ 5
EXPEDITION PACKING LIST .............. 6
THE RESEARCH ........................... 7
DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD ................ 9
ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD ......... 10
TRAVEL TIPS .............................. 11
PROJECT CONDITIONS ................... 12
SAFETY .................................... 14
PROJECT STAFF .......................... 15
RECOMMENDED READING ............... 16
LITERATURE CITED....................... 16
EMERGENCY NUMBERS .................. 18

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CLIMATE CHANGE: SEA TO TREES AT ACADIA NATIONAL PARK - TEEN TEAM EARTHWATCH 2015
GENERAL INFORMATION
SEA TO TREES IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

EARTHWATCH SCIENTISTS                                    EXPEDITION DATES
Dr. Abraham Miller-Rushing, Science Coordinator          Team 4 (TEEN): Jul. 27–Aug. 2, 2015
National Park Service, Acadia National Park
                                                         *Earthwatch Teen Teams are open to 15- to 18-year-olds (18-year-olds may
Hannah Webber, Education Projects Manager
                                                         participate if they finished their last year of high school in the previous
Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park               school year). Participants on this team will receive a separate expedition
Seth Benz, Bird Ecology Program Director                 briefing. 16- and 17-year-olds may also participate on standard teams if
                                                         accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park
Dr. Richard Feldman, Post-doctoral Research Fellow
University of Massachusetts – Amherst
RESEARCH SITE
Acadia National Park,
Schoodic Education and Research Center, Maine

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CLIMATE CHANGE: SEA TO TREES AT ACADIA NATIONAL PARK - TEEN TEAM EARTHWATCH 2015
TRIP PLANNER
SEA TO TREES IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

  TRIP PLANNER
IMMEDIATELY                                                  60 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION
□ Make sure you understand and agree to                      □ Make sure you have all the necessary vaccinations
  Earthwatch’s Terms and Conditions.                           for your project site.
□ If you plan to purchase additional travel insurance,       □ Review the Packing Checklist to make sure you
  note that some policies require purchase when your           have all the clothing, personal supplies and
  expedition is booked.                                        equipment needed.

90 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION                                  30 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION
□ Log in at earthwatch.org to complete your                  □ Leave the Earthwatch 24-hour helpline number
  volunteer forms.                                             with a relative or friend.
□ Pay any outstanding balance for your expedition.           □ Leave copies of your passport, visa, and airline
□ Book travel arrangements (see the Travel Planning            tickets with a relative or friend.
  section for details).
□ If traveling internationally, make sure your
  passport is current and, if necessary, obtain a visa
  for your destination country.

 Read this expedition briefing thoroughly. It provides the most accurate information
 available at the time of your Earthwatch scientist’s project planning, and will likely answer
 any questions you have about the project. However, please also keep in mind that research
 requires improvisation, and you may need to be flexible. Research plans evolve in response
 to new findings, as well as to unpredictable factors such as weather, equipment failure,
 and travel challenges. To enjoy your expedition to the fullest, remember to expect the
 unexpected, be tolerant of repetitive tasks, and try to find humor in difficult situations.
 If there are any major changes in the research plan or field logistics, Earthwatch will
 make every effort to keep you well informed before you go into the field.

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CLIMATE CHANGE: SEA TO TREES AT ACADIA NATIONAL PARK - TEEN TEAM EARTHWATCH 2015
EXPEDITION PACKING LIST
SEA TO TREES IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

    EXPEDITION PACKING LIST
GENERAL                                                            BEDDING AND BATHING
 □ This expedition briefing                                        NOTE: the project will provide linens, pillows, towels, blankets, etc.
 □ Photocopies of your passport, flight itinerary, and
   credit cards in case the originals are lost or stolen;          PERSONAL SUPPLIES
   the copies should be packed separately from the                  □ Personal toiletries (biodegradable soaps and shampoos
   original documents                                                 are encouraged)
 □ Passport and/or visa (if necessary)                              □ Antibacterial wipes or lotion (good for cleaning hands
 □ Certification of vaccination (if necessary)                        while in the field)
 □ Documentation for travel by minors (if necessary)                □ Personal first aid kit (e.g., anti-diarrhea pills, antibiotics,
 □ Calling card or mobile phone (Note: the campus does not            antiseptic, itch-relief, pain reliever, bandages, blister
   have good cellphone reception, but does have wireless              covers, etc.) and medications
   internet available throughout)                                   □ Spending money
 □ Credit card that may be used in the event of an emergency
   (travel delays, etc.)                                           OPTIONAL ITEMS
                                                                    □ Camera, film or memory card(s), extra camera battery
CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR FOR FIELDWORK                                     □ Binoculars
 □ Warm layers of clothing (eg, jacket or fleece)                   □ Hardware for sharing digital photographs at the end
 □ Lightweight, quick-drying, long-sleeved shirts                     of the expedition
 □ Lightweight, quick drying long pants                             □ Dry bag or plastic sealable bags (e.g. Ziploc) to protect
 □ Rain jacket                                                        equipment like cameras from dust, humidity, and water
 □ Well worn-in, comfortable hiking boots                           □ Books, games, art supplies, etc. for free time
 □ Wide brimmed hat for sun protection                              □ Earplugs for light sleepers
 □ Warm hat                                                         □ Flip flops or sandals for the shower
 □ Mittens or gloves
 □ Earthwatch T-shirt                                              NOTE: Do not bring more luggage than you can carry and
                                                                   handle on your own. If traveling by air and checking your
CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR FOR LEISURE                                      luggage, we advise you to pack an extra set of field clothing
                                                                   and personal essentials in your carry-on bag in case your
 □ At least one set of clothing to keep clean
                                                                   luggage is lost or delayed.
   for end of expedition
 □ Pair of light shoes or sandals

FIELD SUPPLIES
 □ Small daypack
 □ Sunscreen lotion with SPF 30 or higher
 □ Flashlight with extra batteries and extra bulb
 □ Two one-liter water bottles
 □ Sunglasses

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CLIMATE CHANGE: SEA TO TREES AT ACADIA NATIONAL PARK - TEEN TEAM EARTHWATCH 2015
THE RESEARCH
SEA TO TREES IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

THE STORY
Climate-related changes in Acadia National Park have                Climate change is also leading to ocean acidification in
altered the populations and behaviors of species and have           Acadia, which affects the ecology and physiology of
affected their interactions. Over the past 120 years, the           intertidal species (Kroeker et al. 2013). This can have a
park has lost 18 percent of its native plant species (Green         negative impact within ecosystems. For example, ocean
et al. 2005). More recently, within the past 50 years, the          acidification can dissolve the shells of organisms. While
area has gained more than 500 new insect species (Chandler          some species (especially those that are commercially
et al. 2012), and the abundance of timing of bird migrations        important) have been well studied in Maine – such as clams
and breeding have changed throughout the region (Miller-            and oysters – there is limited evidence available for many
Rushing et al. 2008). These changes may be creating                 other intertidal species (Green et al. 2009).
mismatches among predators and prey, or plants and
                                                                    The Acadia region relies on its natural resources and
pollinators by changing the timing of when various species
                                                                    tourism for much of its economy. These rapid ecological
depend on each other’s resources or services. For example,
                                                                    changes are critical for visitors and residents to
fruits that ripen earlier disrupt the timing of insects’ life
                                                                    acknowledge and understand so they can help to preserve
cycles, which can impact the fall migration for birds
                                                                    this iconic national park. Long-term data monitoring is
(Primack and Miller-Rushing 2012). These mismatches are
                                                                    critical to being able to truly understand the impact of
one of the primary ways in which climate change is
                                                                    these changes, which is what makes citizen science so
contributing to the decline and extinction of some plant
                                                                    important to the success of this research study.
and animal species (Cahill et al. 2013).

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CLIMATE CHANGE: SEA TO TREES AT ACADIA NATIONAL PARK - TEEN TEAM EARTHWATCH 2015
RESEARCH AIMS                                                      HOW YOU WILL HELP
The primary aims of the project, which are critical to             As an Earthwatch volunteer, you will be involved in three
Acadia National Park because of their importance to the            types of activities: conducting field work in forests looking
long-term preservation of natural resources, are to:               at mismatches among birds, insects, and plants; conducting
                                                                   both field and lab work looking at the effects of ocean
 1. Investigate the interactions among birds, insects,
                                                                   acidification on intertidal communities; and transcribing
    and fruits, and determine the extent of spatial
                                                                   data from historical records related to this work.
    and temporal mismatch;
 2. Investigate the effects of ocean acidification                 ECOLOGICAL MISMATCH FIELD WORK:
    on intertidal organisms and communities;                       You will visit plots of land each day to observe the presence
 3. Improve science literacy and environmental                     and abundance of flowers or fruits and plants, and will record
    stewardship among participants.                                observations of target birds and insects. Volunteers will also
                                                                   help to deploy bird cameras that focus on fruits of marked
ECOLOGICAL MISMATCHES:                                             plants to capture evidence of the birds eating those fruits.
Changes in temperature and precipitation are known to              Researchers will analyze the data to detect changes in life
cause shifts in the flowering and fruiting of plant species.       cycle events and interactions between species over time.
Those shifts, in turn, may lead to a flower blooming before        OCEAN ACIDIFICATION FIELD AND LAB WORK:
its main pollinator arrives on the scene, or make it harder
                                                                   You will observe and measure species in the intertidal
for birds to find the fruits when they need them. Scientists
                                                                   zone. Back in the lab, you’ll be involved in conducting
are just now trying to decipher what this means for natural
                                                                   lab experiments in aquariums to explore the effects of
communities.
                                                                   pH on shell formation and predator-prey interactions.
During the study, the research team will aim to answer
                                                                   HISTORICAL RECORDS:
the following questions related to mismatches:
                                                                   You will be involved in transcribing historical records
 • How do birds, insects, and plant life cycles vary by            related to the occurrence, abundance, and phenology
   season across time and space? Are the cycles changing?          or forest birds, insects, and plants, and intertidal
   Teams will examine breeding, migration, and feeding             communities.
   behaviors for specific birds, insects, and plants.
 • How do birds, insects, and plants interact, and how
   does this vary across regions and over time?
 • How do native and invasive plant species disperse fruit?

OCEAN ACIDIFICATION:
Increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere is
leading to ocean acidification – an increase in CO2 in
the water, leading to higher levels of acidity, which
can impact shell-bearing animals and affect their
survival rates.

The research team will aim to answer the following
questions related to ocean acidification:
 • What is the community structure in the intertidal
   system and how is it changing over time?
 • How are aspects of the intertidal system such as pH,
   temperature, and salinity changing over time?
 • How are predator/prey relationships affected by pH?

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CLIMATE CHANGE: SEA TO TREES AT ACADIA NATIONAL PARK - TEEN TEAM EARTHWATCH 2015
DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD
SEA TO TREES IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

PLANS FOR YOUR TEAM                                                  DAILY ACTIVITIES
Upon arrival, you’ll receive a safety briefing and a                 While there is no typical day in the field our ‘typical’ day will
presentation on local history, conservation priorities for           be: Breakfast, a briefing of the work to be done for the day,
Acadia National Park, local examples of global issues, and           the safety considerations involved with the work, and how
a framework for all the project’s key protocols. When                the scientists will be using the data we will be collecting.
we begin our fieldwork, project staff will introduce and
                                                                     We will follow this up by assembling our field gear,
demonstrate each new task; we’ll work with you until
                                                                     gathering our lunch, and lunches and heading into the field.
you’re comfortable with any new activities. We will also
                                                                     We will observe and record bird behavior, change camera
supervise to ensure data quality. You will spend your days
                                                                     traps, deploy and collect insect traps, and count and
on the mountains, in the forest, and among tidal pools and
                                                                     measure the quality of fruit on different types of plants.
rock benches along the beautiful Maine coast, and during
free time you will have the opportunity to explore the               We will have lunch in the field and complete our field work
spectacular Acadia National Park.                                    before heading back to the lab to add our data to the
                                                                     database, identify insect, and debrief.

                                                                     We will also spend part of our time together collecting
                                                                     intertidal abundance and diversity data as well as collecting
                                                                     dragonfly larvae for mercury analysis.

                                                                     After a down time for journaling, hiking, taking pictures,
                                                                     or hanging out we will have dinner and listen to a talk,
                                                                     look for bats or moths, star gaze, or go to a performance
                                                                     at the local ‘Schoodic Arts of All’.

      ITINERARY
DAY 1                                                               DAY 4
 □ Arrival at Bar Harbor Airport                                     □ Assist with mist net collection, collect and process
 □ Transport to Schoodic Institute                                     insect traps. Collect camera trap data.
 □ Team dinner and orientation                                       □ Continue data collection on fruit and bird presence.
 □ Project introduction and safety overview
                                                                    DAYS 5-6
DAYS 2-3                                                             □ Continue data collection on fruit and bird presence and
                                                                       lab work on identification and enumeration of insects.
 □ Field training, health and safety briefing
                                                                     □ Intertidal data collection—surveying study sites and
 □ Deploy insect traps, collect data on fruits and
   bird presence                                                       collect settlement plates. Celebratory dinner.

 □ Deploy cameras traps
                                                                    DAY 7
 □ Free time will be spent exploring the park and local area.
                                                                     □ Departure from Schoodic Insitute

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CLIMATE CHANGE: SEA TO TREES AT ACADIA NATIONAL PARK - TEEN TEAM EARTHWATCH 2015
ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD
ABOUT YOUR HOME IN THE FIELD

SLEEPING                                                             FOOD AND WATER
The team will stay share bedrooms in 4-bedroom                       Meals will be served cafeteria style. Participants will eat
apartments at the Schoodic Education and Research Center             together with research staff and sometimes with other
(SERC) campus in Acadia National Park. The campus is the             science groups on campus.
largest National Park Service research learning center in the
United States. Until 2002, the building that now houses the
education and research center was a U.S. Navy base.                   TYPICAL MEALS
                                                                     BREAKFAST      Toast, bagels, yogurt, granola and fresh fruit
BATHROOMS
                                                                     LUNCH          Bag lunches: sandwich, fruit, cookie or bar,
The 4-bedroom apartments offer one full shared bathroom.
                                                                                    and chips

                                                                     DINNER         Pot roast, baked chicken, lasagna, breads, s
INTERNET AND COMMUNICATIONS
                                                                                    alad bar, and dessert
The campus is equipped with WiFi capability, for use free
                                                                     BEVERAGES      Coffee, tea, bottled water or tap water, soda,
of charge by the volunteers. You are welcome to bring your                          iced tea, and lemonade
own electronic equipment (cellphones, digital cameras,
laptops, etc.) but you will be required to limit your use
                                                                     SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
of cellphones or laptops to recreational time only.
                                                                     Please alert Earthwatch to any special dietary requirements
FACILITIES AND AMENITIES                                             (e.g., diabetes, lactose intolerance, nut or other food
                                                                     allergies, vegetarian or vegan diets) as soon as possible, and
Group activities will take place in Wright Hall (see map
                                                                     note them in the space provided on your volunteer forms.
here: http://www.schoodicinstitute.org/about/map-
directions/). On campus, there is a full gym and common              This project can cater for vegetarian diets easily, as well
room with computers and a small library.                             as vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free diets.

DISTANCE TO THE FIELD SITE
The main field sites will all be within walking distance of
the campus, no more than one mile away. For any trips to
field sites farther away, we will use a van.

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TRAVEL TIPS
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE ROAD

YOUR DESTINATION                                                  PASSPORTS AND VISAS
LANGUAGE: English                                                 Passport and visa requirements are subject to change.
                                                                  Check with your travel advisor, embassy or consulate
TIME ZONE: Eastern Standard Time, which equals
                                                                  in your home country for requirements specific to your
GMT -5 hours in the winter months.
                                                                  circumstances. Generally, passports must be valid for
CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS: Casual, modest dress is                  at least six months from the date of entry and a return
acceptable nearly everywhere. Tipping restaurant wait             ticket is required.
staff, taxi drivers, airport curbside baggage handlers,
and hotel bellhops is customary.                                  Citizenship        Passport Required?         Visa Required?

ELECTRICITY: The U.S. standard voltage used for small             United States      No (but required to fly)   No
appliances, hair dryers, electronic equipment, etc. is            United Kingdom     Yes                        No
120 volts, 60Hz, supplied through type A or B sockets.            Europe             Yes                        No
                                                                  Australia          Yes                        No
                                                                  Japan              Yes                        No

                                                                  If a visa is required, participants should apply for a TOURIST
                                                                  visa. Please note that obtaining a visa can take weeks or
                                                                  even months. We strongly recommend using a visa agency,
                                                                  which can both expedite and simplify the process.
MONEY MATTERS
LOCAL CURRENCY: U.S. dollar

PERSONAL FUNDS: We recommend you bring some spending
money ($100-200 is sufficient) for snacks, extra beverages
(e.g., soda) and souvenirs.

                                                             11
PROJECT CONDITIONS
THE FIELD ENVIRONMENT

GENERAL CONDITIONS                                                   ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Weather in Acadia National Park can be very variable in any          All participants must be able, independently or with
month. It can be warm (in the upper 70s in July to upper             the assistance of a companion, to:
50s in October) or cold (in the 50s [July} to 40’s [October])
                                                                      □ Follow verbal and/or visual instructions independently
during the day and is generally cold at night. We get a mix
                                                                        or with the assistance of a companion.
of sunny and rainy days.
                                                                      □ Enjoy being outdoors most of the day in variable
Walking conditions on the Schoodic Peninsula are for the                weather, in the potential presence of wild animals.
most part very good. Trails tend to be in rocky areas with
                                                                      □ Tolerate cold temperatures and rain.
thin soil. When we are off-trail we will be walking through
low brush—there may be roots and rocks. Walking in the                □ Traverse wet, slippery, rocky terrain.
intertidal zone, though, where some of the fieldwork will             □ Move through low, thick vegetation.
take place, is wet and slippery—in places it can be very              □ Carry personal daily supplies such as lunch, water,
rocky, and in others it is muddy.                                       and some small field equipment.
                                                                      □ Sit upright in a 15-passenger van.
  GENERAL CONDITIONS
HUMIDITY: 50%–95%
TEMPERATURE RANGE: July and August: 59º–79º (15º–26º C),
September: 52º–71º(11º–22º C); October: 42º-59º (6º–15º C)
ALTITUDE: Sea Level
RAINFALL: Avg: 3.5in (89 mm)
(July) to 5.3in (135 mm) (October)

                                                                12
POTENTIAL HAZARDS
SEA TO TREES IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

HAZARD TYPE         ASSOCIATED RISKS AND PRECAUTIONS
Transportation      We will travel on public roads in a quiet area with few traffic issues, but risks inherent in road travel still
                    apply. All volunteers will have a seatbelt and must wear it whenever the vehicle is in motion. A roadside
                    assistance service will be called if a vehicle breaks down.
Project Tasks       Hands should always be washed after being in the field, especially before eating. Volunteers are
                    encouraged to take regular breaks and to avoid overexerting themselves. Teamwork and attention to
                    proper technique will keep you from wearing out or getting injured. Inform a staff member immediately
                    if you are feeling tired or ill.
Hiking              You will be walking along a rocky coastline and hiking across the tops of mountains. Some areas are
                    very well protected from the elements, while others are exposed. You will also be walking off-trail,
                    in somethime thick, low vegetation. Participants will wear shoes with good grip to avoid slipping and
                    long pants.
Insects             Biting and stinging insects and ticks are present. Volunteers will be briefed on how to inspect for tick
                    bites daily.
Plants              Volunteers may walk through areas with dense vegetation and poison ivy (although poison ivy is very
                    uncommon in the Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia), so all participants should wear clothing that
                    covers the arms and legs.
Personal Security   Acadia National Park is a generally safe region for travelers; however, do not leave valuables unattended
                    in public areas.
Swimming            No swimming is allowed in the Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia National Park.
Distance from       There is generally a park ranger on duty during daytime hours who can provide first responder services.
Medical Care        The local police, fire, and ambulance are also nearby and can respond reasonably quickly.
Diseases            Please see the next page for immunization recommendations. Most diseases are prevented with basic
                    safety cautions. Please see the CDC (cdc.gov) or WHO (who.int) websites for more information. Diseases
                    present in this region of the U.S. include, but are not limited to, Lyme disease, rabies, bovine spongiform
                    encephalopathy, pertussis, and West Nile Fever.

                                                             13
SAFETY
HEALTH INFORMATION
EMERGENCIES IN THE FIELD
Accommodations and vehicles all have first aid kits. In the
event of a medical emergency, the Earthwatch scientists
will administer first aid, and depending on the seriousness
of the injury or condition, either take the volunteer to the
hospital using one of the project vehicles (always available)
or call emergency services by cell phone. If a volunteer has
to leave the expedition early for emergency reasons, the
Earthwatch scientists will determine the most appropriate
form of transport to the airport (either one of the project
vehicles or ambulance).

STAFF CERTIFIED IN SAFETY TRAINING:
Abe Miller-Rushing (Wilderness First Aid/CPR)
Seth Benz (Wilderness First Aid/CPR),
Hannah Webber (Wilderness First Aid/CPR),
John Cigliano (First Aid/CPR),
Teen Facilitator (First Aid/CPR)

NEAREST MEDICAL CENTERS:
Eleanor Widener Dixon Memorial Clinic,
37 Clinic Road, Gouldsboro, ME 04607
Maine Coast Memorial Hospital,
50 Union Street, Ellsworth, ME 04605

For emergency assistance in the field, please contact
Earthwatch’s 24-hour emergency hotline number on the
last page of this briefing. Earthwatch is available to assist
you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; someone is always on
call to respond to messages that come into our live
answering service.

IMMUNIZATIONS
Please be sure your routine immunizations are up-to-date
(for example diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles,
mumps, rubella and varicella). Medical decisions are the
responsibility of each volunteer and his or her doctor, and
the following are recommendations only. Visit the Healix
Travel Oracle website through the “Travel Assistance and
Advice” page in your Earthwatch portal, cdc.gov or who.int
for guidance on immunizations.

                                                                14
PROJECT STAFF
YOUR RESOURCES IN THE FIELD
         EARTHWATCH SCIENTIST DR. ABRAHAM MILLER-RUSHING is the science coordinator for Acadia National
         Park and the Schoodic Education and Research Center. His research specialties include conservation
         biology and biological responses to climate change. He oversees all research in Acadia National Park and
         will assist with various portions of the project in the field and the lab, will help to communicate the
         importance of this project for the park, and will ensure that the project’s results inform the
         management of the park’s natural and cultural resources.

         EARTHWATCH SCIENTIST DR. RICHARD FELDMAN graduated with a PhD in Biology from McGill University
         in Montreal, Canada. His dissertation combined behavioral studies of foraging hummingbirds, observational
         studies of nectar availability, and modeling studies of species ranges in order to understand how climate
         and plant resources affect bird abundances at multiple spatial scales. He has continued to pursue this line
         of study by analyzing the changing relationship between duck abundances and wetland availability and
         bird abundances and climate. He is super excited to have begun working at the Schoodic Institute and
         Acadia National Park where he can help tease apart the relationships among climate, resources, and not
         just bird abundances but how those abundances change within and across years.

         FIELD TEAM LEADER SETH BENZ has amassed nearly 30 years of experience in conservation science
         and environmental education leadership. He has guided Road Scholar birding trips in Maine, directed
         Hog Island Audubon Camp, worked as an island supervisor for Project Puffin, and served as Education
         Director of the Audubon Expedition Institute and as Assistant Curator of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in
         Pennsylvania. He is now the director of the Schoodic Bird Ecology Program, a collaborative field station
         focused on bird migration, phenology studies, and public participation in scientific research at Acadia
         National Park.

         FIELD TEAM LEADER HANNAH WEBBER is the Education Projects Manager for Schoodic Institute.
         She manages projects at the intersection of scientific research and education, runs workshops and
         summer institutes, and is always on the lookout for new research questions that will lend themselves
         to Scientist-Citizen Partnerships.

         Hannah has taught kindergarteners to adults in a variety of formal and informal education programs.
         She has also been on research teams investigating behavioral effects of methylmercury; genetic bases
         of wound healing; and the effects of PCBs on stream macroinvertebrate communities. When not busy
         with projects Hannah is hiking or looking for cool invertebrates in tidepools.

         An EARTHWATCH TEEN TEAM FACILITATOR will also accompany your team from the time you step
         off the plane for the rendezvousuntil the end of the expedition. If you have any questions or problems,
         such as issues with another volunteer, homesickness, or an emergency back home, please talk to your
         facilitator. Follow your facilitator’s advice on safety and personal conduct. All facilitators have
         experience teaching and leading groups of teenagers. Remember, your facilitator is there for you.
         (Teen: Facilitator ratio is approx. 6:1)

         NOTE: All staff schedules are subject to change.

                                                15
RECOMMENDED READING
YOUR RESOURCES AT HOME

ARTICLES                                                         PROJECT-RELATED WEBSITE
 • In Maine, scientists sees signs of climate change:             • HawkWatch International: www.hawkwatch.org
   www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/09/20/                          • eBird: http://ebird.org
   maine-climate-change-taking-toll/                              • Acadia National Park: www.nps.gov/acad/
   P41vVDd9v3knTUeDH2U6SP/story.html                                naturescience/indes.htm
 • Early Bloomers: http://www.nytimes.com/
   2012/04/19/opinion/earlybloomers.html?_r=0                    EARTHWATCH SOCIAL MEDIA
 • State of the Birds Report 2014:                               Get to know Earthwatch better at:
   http://www.stateofthebirds.org/
 • 314 Species on the Brink:                                      • FACEBOOK: facebook.com/Earthwatch
   http://climate.audubon.org/                                    • YOUTUBE: youtube.com/earthwatchinstitute
                                                                  • TWITTER: twitter.com/earthwatch_org
BOOKS
 • The Incidental Steward: Reflections on Citizen
   Science (Akiko Busch)
 • The Homing Instinct (Bernd Heinrich)

LITERATURE CITED
• Chandler, D. S., D. Manski, C. Donahue, and A. Alyokhin. 2012. Biodiversity of the Schoodic Peninsula:
  Results of the insect and arachnid bioblitzes at the Schoodic District of Acadia National Park, Maine. Maine
  Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station, University of Maine, Orono, ME.
• Greene, C. W., L. L. Gregory, G. H. Mittelhauser, S. C. Rooney, and J. E. Weber. 2005. Vascular flora of the Acadia
  National Park region, Maine. Rhodora 107:117-185.
• Miller-Rushing, A. J., D. W. Inouye, and R. B. Primack. 2008a. How well do first flowering dates measure
  plant responses to climate change? The effects of population size and sampling frequency. Journal of Ecology
  96:1289-1296.
• Miller-Rushing, A. J., T. L. Lloyd-Evans, R. B. Primack, and P. Satzinger. 2008b. Bird migration times,
  climate change, and changing population sizes. Global Change Biology 14:1959-1972.

                                                            16
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
AROUND-THE-CLOCK SUPPORT

EARTHWATCH’S 24-HOUR EMERGENCY HOTLINE

Call Earthwatch’s 24-hour on-call duty officer in the U.S.:
+1 (978) 461.0081
+1 (800) 776.0188 (toll-free for calls placed from within the U.S.)

After business hours, leave a message with our living answering service. State that you have
an emergency and give the name of your expedition, your name, the location from which you
are calling, and if possible, a phone number where you can be reached. An Earthwatch staff
member will respond to your call within one hour.

TRAVEL ASSISTANCE PROVIDER: HEALIX INTERNATIONAL
+44.20.3667.8991 (collect calls and reverse charges accepted)
U.S. TOLL FREE: +1.877.759.3917
U.K. FREE PHONE: 0.800.19.5180
E-MAIL: earthwatch@healix.com

You may contact Healix International at any time. They can assist in the event of a medical
or evacuation emergency or for routine medical and travel advice, such as advice on visas
and vaccine requirements.

FOR VOLUNTEERS BOOKED THROUGH THE EARTHWATCH AUSTRALIA OFFICE:

Earthwatch Australia 24-Hour Emergency Helpline
+61.0.3.8508.5537

                                                17
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