Hitting the Town...

Lunes, 18 de Diciembre, 2017
Las Cruces Biological Station

20:12

It was going to be a day to catch up on work. A day to get caught up on blogs, editing photos, etc. etc. So, like any productive morning, I started things off with some mate, Adobe Lightroom, and an old-fashioned checklist.

But, when I heard Austin, Zane, and Aaron were going into town to conduct more river tests, I knew I had to quickly hop on the opportunity to spend time in San Vito. We drove down the 15 minutes of curvy roads and entered the main street. After navigating through some one-way blockages, we got dropped off near a bridge downstream of the city.

Austin, Zane, and Aaron quickly got to work taking measurements while I tried to find some interesting angles to shoot. Unfortunately the light was very harsh, but I managed to hop the bridge's guard rail and dangle off a concrete block. It was probably a good thing I didn't stay up there too long because the semi trucks on that one-way bridge got awfully close. Sorry Mom.

After doing research, we got to have 30 minutes to explore the town before heading back to the research station. These chunks of time are always my favorite -- a little break to do some candid street photography.

Once back at Las Cruces, everybody was in high spirits -- including the kitchen staff. Who says Mondays can't be fun. After a delicious fajita dinner, we surprised Brett with a birthday cake. It was pretty humbling to watch his pure joy when presented with the cake -- he hasn't had a birthday celebration since he was 16. To see that genuine smile and happiness was priceless.

 

Kim, Corbin, and Mike

Domingo, 17 de Diciembre, 2017
Las Cruces Biological Research Station
11:28

It wouldn't be a true goodbye without a group photo. Amongst an early morning, we all regrouped to with Pedro, Norys, and Isabel to take one final last photo. Emphasis on the last photo as I've been shooting them constantly for the last week -- constantly saying "uno mas, uno mas" when completely knowing there would be far more than just one more.

President Pedro Flores writing notes during a final meeting before his departure from the Las Cruces Biological Station. Louisiana State Univeristy is looking to continue to fund programs to bridge the gap between traditional ecological knowledge (TEC) and modern science. They plan on continuing to work with the Ngöbe to ultimately build the tribe's own biological research station on Ngöbe land. 

Following our photo, I got to join the final project. Mentored by Mike Heim of Lac Course Oreilles Ojibawa Community College, his two students Kim Steward and Corbin Schuster of the Yakima Nation are looking at plant diseases. Specifically, they're analyzing the susceptibility of a fungi disease at different elevations in the palm species this Palm Species. Through the collection of various leaf samples at three different sites, the group then processed images to conclude that lower elevation palms are more likely to be the victim of this fungi disease.

Kim reads off the Kestrel weather meter's readings. In addition to analyzing leaves, the team collected climatology data in each of the three elevation zones. 

After a morning in the field, it was only wise to come back and play some evening soccer before dinner. Got to be a local after all.

See You Soon

Sabado, 16 de Diciembre, 2017
Las Cruces Biological Research Station
10:44

With only two more groups left to shoot, I went down with the second group focusing on studying river hydrology. Working with Aaron Thomas from the University of Montana, students Austin Durglo of Montana's Salish Kootenai tribe and Zane Ketchen of the Yakama Nation are analyzing water quality among tributaries feeding into the Rio Java River. The goal of the project is to assess overall stream health and contribution to the main river. While the Rio Java flows into the nearby town of San Vito, the river is an important lifeline to many aquatic species and supports groundwater wells for nearby inhabitants. Thus, the students would like to increase the foundation of water quality on the Rio Java -- allowing for proper future management and restoration.

Austin taking a variety of measurements on the Rio Java as Norys watches. They're looking for changes in temperature, PH, nitrate, and ammonium. 

Like the other projects, the Ngöbe came along to observe the methods Aaron and Austin were using and even had the opportunity to try it out themselves.

Isabel and Celenstino take photos of an insect found at the river.

President Flores and his daughter Norys take river flow
measurements at the Rio Java. 

Aaron and Scott showing the Ngöbe how to take measurements
in one of the Rio Java's tributaries. 

President Flores' handy bag goes everywhere. 

Lots of hiking can catch up to the mind...

More measurements. 

President Flores' essentials

At the end of our day, we knew it was going to be the last night the Ngöbe would be staying with us. A heartwarming goodbye ceremony was held as each student and mentor said their final goodbyes. While some words were lost through translation, nothing can describe the warmth of everybody's presence in the room. Hearing not only the Ngöbe, but the students give them thanks in their native language was a very very very cool thing to hear. 

The cultural exchanged continued, as we first participated in a native round dance -- a common dance performed at Native American pow wows. Watching everybody dance in a circle listening to music I'd only seen in documentaries was a surreal experience. I'm beyond words thankful for being let into the circle of these inspiring students. After the round dance, the Ngöbe then showed us two of their dances -- leading to lots of laughter and smiles. 

Some life experiences a camera just can't capture, this goodbye ceremony was exactly one of them. 

11:20 

Project 3

Viernes, 15 de Diciembre, 2017
Las Cruces Biological Research Station
14:05

The bug spray returned as another full day in the field began at 6 in the morning. This time, it was project three -- mentored by Charles Jason Tinant of Oglala Lakota College. Students Brett Alberts of the Spirit Lake Dakota Sioux, William Fourd of the Oglala Lakota Nation, and Robyn Raya of Oregon's Siletz are conducing a river characterization of the Rio Java. They're looking at water, soil, and shape composition to get a holistic understanding of the never-before studied river. Brett, William, and Robyn wish to create a baseline of information regarding the Rio Java so future studies show how climate change is effecting this ecosystem.

Like the other projects, the Ngöbe shadow the students and 

mentors to observe modern scientific methods with the 

intention of bridging it with traditional ecological knowledge. 

Brett hauls laboratory equipment from the research station to
the riverside with his make shift paracord backpack.

Jason describes to Robyn upstream features of a creek that
intersects with the Java river.

A long hike led us to the Java River where the research group is conducting their data collection.

From Left to Right: Will, Jason, Pedro, and Robyn. 

Robyn photographs the Java River's behavior in comparison
to her measuring tape.

Will (left) and Jason move their flowmeter alongside the 

measuring tape.

Will (left), Jason (middle), and Robyn maneuver the ___
while the Ngöbe observe from the shore.

Ngöbe President Pedro Flores talks with Scott Walter, the director

of Organization for Tropical Studies' Native American and Pacific 

Islander Undergraduate Research Program. Scott has years of 

experience working with minorities in science, and has been a 

resource for the Ngöbe's goal to help incorporate sciences 

into youth education. 

President Flores (left), his daughter Norys Flores (middle), and

 Celestino Gallardo listen and take notes as Scott Walter translates 

the scientific procedure taking place. 

President Flores (right) watches Jason (left) and Brett (middle)

collect their data above the river.

Brett poses for a photo as he captures images upstream from the survey spot. Using his GoPro, Brett will create modeling maps of the river's composition.

Will and Robyn analyze data back at the Las Cruces Biological Station. 

After a long day back on the river, we were given quite the treat as a pair of Toucans landed in a tree just across from the laboratory.