Field Training

Training of our local partnersin the Dominican Republic and Haiti is among the most important facets of VCE’s overall conservation program on Hispaniola.  During each of the nearly 25 field trips we have undertaken on the island since 1994, we have worked closely with local biologists, students, and amateur ornithologists, helping to build their capacity in becoming ecological stewards of Hispaniola’s unique biodiversity.

Winter 2009
Summer 2008

Winter 2009: New Partners, an Evolving Conservation Agenda

Nearly 15 years have passed since my first encounter with a Bicknell’s Thrush in the Dominican Republic. I’ll never forget the moment, on 9 December 1994, walking quietly at dawn into pristine broadleaf forest of the remote Sierra de Bahoruco – my heart skipped a beat as a familiar, subdued ‘beeer’ call sounded from thick understory. A broad grin spread across my unshaven face, and a new chapter in my life began. Having just returned from another winter’s trek to Hispaniola, probably my 22nd or 23rd visit (I lost count long ago), I’m both gratified and somewhat disbelieving at my continued good fortune to work there.

This recent trip was hands-down my most multi-faceted, a reflection of VCE’s diverse
conservation agenda on the island. My activities over 16 days spanned a full gamut from
slogging through indescribable mud in the rain-drenched Cordillera Septentrional, to teaching eager young biology students proper bird-handling techniques, to presenting talks at a formal workshop of 60 Spanish-speaking participants. It was a whirlwind 2+ weeks – exhilarating, challenging, heartening, frustrating, entertaining, productive – not without the trials and tribulations characteristic of every DR visit, but ultimately affirming of our vital conservation mission there. This trip was memorable in every respect, but especially for the rich networking opportunities it presented and the new relationships I forged.

Read more about mud-slinging and training workshops in Chris Rimmer's full report.
Technical Report 2009

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Summer 2008: Training Hispaniolan Colleagues in the States

During July 2008, VCE hosted four Hispaniolan biologists in Vermont, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service - International Programs, The Nature Conservancy, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Below is an article written by Chris Rimmer for a local newspaper about this special opportunity. A slideshow appears below and a Vermont Edition interview with the participants is available as a podcast from VPR.

"A Conservation Exchange Across the Hemisphere"

Haiti and the Dominican Republic may seem worlds apart from Vermont, but a visiting group of conservationists from the island of Hispaniola recently learned about some common and powerful hemispheric connections.  During July, the Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) hosted a 3-week exchange of a Dominican and three Haitian colleagues, as part of VCE’s long-term commitment to biodiversity conservation in both countries. Funding support for this exchange was generously provided by the U.S. Forest Service - International Programs, The Nature Conservancy, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Having conducted field studies of migrant and resident birds on Hispaniola since 1994, training >50 Dominican and Haitian partners in the process, VCE’s goal was to create an intensive, hands-on learning experience for these four collaborators here in the Northeast.  Ultimately, we hoped to build the capacity, credibility and confidence of our Hispaniolan colleagues so that they might return to their countries better equipped to become conservation leaders.

Early indications are that we accomplished all that and more.  Our pace during the 3 weeks was non-stop, our activities diverse, our interactions lively, and our fun quotient skyhigh.  At any given moment, four languages intermingled—Spanish, French, Creole, and English.  We immersed our friends in ongoing VCE field research that included mist-netting and banding Bicknell’s Thrush on Stratton Mountain, and investigating nesting American Pipits and two endemic butterflies in Mt. Washington’s alpine zone.  On Stratton they encountered black fly clouds requiring head nets, while Mt. Washington greeted them with weather far more severe than any ever recorded on their island—40-45 mph winds and temperatures in the mid-40s°F.  Their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn were unquenchable, their minds like sponges.  They simply couldn’t get enough of whatever opportunities came their way.

These field experiences were complemented with visits to like-minded conservation organizations, including the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences, and Harvard University’s Museum of Comparative Zoology.  At each institution, respected scientists took time to share information and expertise.  Our colleagues asked probing questions, furiously scribbled notes, eagerly collected any written materials available, and continually marveled at their exposure to such extraordinary resources.  It was at once inspiring, energizing and humbling for them.   

On the local recreational front, our Hispaniolan visitors enjoyed some memorable “firsts”: canoeing and kayaking on the Connecticut River, hiking the Appalachian Trail, fireworks and ice skating in Woodstock, “cosmic” bowling under the lights in WRJ, horseshoes, and several cookouts.  Vermont microbrews received a unanimous thumbs-up, and organic buffalo burgers with sharp cheddar drew rave reviews.  On our final day, a Fedex package arrived at the VCE office, containing an impromptu donation from Birder’s Exchange of four brand new pairs of binoculars.  The four recipients could not have been more excited or appreciative.  This parting gift highlighted the remarkable generosity of time and resources that so many people gave during the group’s life-changing visit. 

Theirs is a steep uphill climb to achieve tangible, lasting conservation in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.  The problems are deep, the future at times seemingly bleak.  However, all left with a renewed sense of optimism and hope for what is possible.  Conservation is, after all, about people first and foremost.  Providing opportunities and building capacity of young, committed individuals like these is among the most important work that VCE, and any of us, can do. 

—Chris Rimmer, VCE Director

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