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exploring the modern world of citizen-science

filmmaker & Explorer

Follow me on my journey to document the new world of modern citizen-science and its contribution to conservation. What started as a simple beach debris survey down the coast of Washington has taken me to remote volcanic islands in the Alaskan Aleutians as well as joining the hunt for invasive species in the Salish Sea.

fieldwork

We’ve completed our training for the Timber Tracking Project, passed the assessment exam, and received our science collection kit. Now it’s all about looking at topo maps and choosing collection zones.

Follow our updates from the field on twitter.

timber tracking

-- January 2020 --

The outdoor community is well positioned to collect tree tissue samples from far-flung locations on a large scale across each species’ geographic range. Hiking, mountain biking, backcountry skiing, rock climbing, whitewater kayaking, and other activities bring our volunteers to places few others venture.

This information will power new tools to reveal the origin of any sample of timber––taking away illegal loggers’ ability to sneak poached trees into the world’s wood supply.

science

THERE’S A REVOLUTION HAPPENING IN SCIENCE. AND NOW, MORE THAN EVER, YOU CAN BE PART OF IT.

Costa Rica: Rufous-naped Wren

Science

Every morning we’d hear a Roufous-naped Wren outside our villa. He liked to sit on the power line and sing his heart out, I’m assuming he was hopeful for a mate, but maybe he just enjoyed hearing himself.

Costa Rica: Blue Morpho

Science

The first time we saw one of these incredibly bright butterflies both Theresa and I thought it must be a tropical bird.

From Tropical to Temperate Rain Forest

Science

How quickly we replaced the warm humid climate of Costa Rica’s tropical rain forest with the cold humid climate of the Olympic Peninsula’s temperate rain forest.

Costa Rica: Spotted Sandpiper

Science

Jaco Beach is known for its nightlight but the area is full of wildlife as well. This Spotted Sandpiper was just one of the many birds we spotted while relaxing on the shoreline.

Costa Rica: Ground Anole

Science

Very common in Costa Rica but can be hard to pin down; they are fast and elusive when they need to be.

Costa Rica: White-faced Capuchin

Science

Intelligent, fast and sneaky, you don’t want to turn your back on the White-faced Capuchin. At least you don't if you have lunch around.

Costa Rica: Common Tent-making Bat

Science

They often build "tents" by cutting the structural veins of leaves by chewing parallel to the midrib.

Costa Rica: Brown-billed Scythebill

Science

I spotted this unusual bird in the most unlikely spot; just outside our hotel room door while on the way for coffee.

up next

Costa Rica: Manual Antonio National park

Having spent a day getting our bearings in Puntarenas, we set up sights on Costa Rica’s most popular National Park. The drive down the Pacific Coast is both exhilarating and beautiful. Once inside the park we found ourselves overwhelmed with the diversity of life within it’s tropical boundaries. It’s no wonder it is such a popular desintation.

This is the second of a 3 part special report.