I hope all is well in the Northern Hemisphere. We’ve been working hard down here on the other end of the world and catching lots of fish. I’ve attached some pictures so you can see me at work (and at play – I went on a great hike the other day). Friday I leave for a week to go sample the western and southern part of Isla Navarino and Isla Hoste – I am really excited to go back to the glaciers another time. If the weather keeps up, it will be an incredible trip. So four of us (myself, Paul (my helper) and two fishermen (Ricardo and one yet to be named) will pile into a fishing boat for a week. It should be an adventure. I will definitely send pictures when I get back. Have a good week!
Hello from the fin del mundo!
It is really exciting to be here on Isla navarino studying fish and the relationship between the native and exotic species. We have started sampling streams on the island and we are already seeing a dichotomous distribution between the presence of the natives and the presence of exotics. It appears that the introduced trout has eradicated the presence of the native galaxiid (G. maculaus) in most streams, but there are some streams dominated by galaxiids where only a few small trout are present. This is exciting to see and I look forward to sampling many more sites to find out what environmental mechanisms are related to this distribution. I´ll keep you posted.
Talk to you soon,
Michelle
Getting Started
Hi everyone,
I hope this email finds you well and in better weather. It has been cold and rainy due to a low pressure system off Cape Horn since I have arrived. Luckily the work we are doing at the moment doesn’t require nice weather (although sun always makes for a better day in the field). I heard it has been very nice in North Carolina – how funny is that.
Otherwise, all is well. I knew when I was flying over the Cordillera Darwin, looking out at the majestic glaciers and mountains that I was really lucky to be back. I also had good luck in the technician I hired, he is very enthusiastic, hard working, and speaks english (a plus since my spanish is only so so). So hopefully both of our second languages will improve by the end of the month. There is a good group of scientists working here now – most are studying the introduced mink and birds- so it is wonderful because we can all learn from each others work. In fact, I have my first fish without electrofishing – my coworkers found some galaxiids swimming in a lake the other day and brought me a sample and I found mink tracks and Carpinteros (Magallenic woodpeckers) and took photos and GPS points for them. It is nice because we all help each other out.
I forgot to bring photos with me on my pen drive today, but I will send a photo next week – maybe after we catch some fish.
Have a good week, Michelle
UNT Grad Students Can Work in Chile
By Kasey Crill
NT students now have the opportunity to work at the department of Philosophy and Religious Studies’ field station at Cape Horn, Chile, where these Chilean students are working. The department of Philosophy and Religion Studies launched a field station in Cape Horn, Chile, giving opportunities to NT graduate students for internships and travel research beginning in fall 2006.
Ricardo Rozzi of the philosophy faculty said there are several ways students can get involved with this research prospect in Chile. NT students can take classes and learn about what is going on, act as research project assistants or complete their thesis or dissertation within the graduate department. (to read entire article click here).
Blending with the locals
The little town of peurto williams is treating us like kings…and queens respectively. The weather has been good, the people have been extremely kind and friendly, the supermarket lady is incredibly helpful, our fishin´buddy just had a birthday party which was quite a treat, and the street dogs are as cuddly as ever. Research is going well as we are wrapping things up…working on writing the introduction and methods for our research theses, as the results and discussion will be added next semester. Going on a big (relatively)camping trip this weekend to the south side of navarino island…should be a nice change from the everyday hustle and bustle of a town of 2000 people…perhaps.
Hope halloween was fun back home…don´t worry, no crazy costumes, but i had my fill of candy in honor of the day…
ciao my friends, william
From the other side of the world
Things have been great here on the south side of the world. Everything is progressing as could have been expected…not to say that there aren´t countless new experiences in our adventures…but all is well. All of our research projects are in full gear…although, i sometimes get a little frustrated with mine…but i love it none the less…and it is progressing quite nicely. Amy and Brett´s research projects are working to perfection…we are planning a camping trip soon to finish up the rest of Amy´s sampling. The weather has been interesting…somedays snow and wind and rain, and somedays tranquil and sunny…i enjoy the variety, and with no t.v., it is always a surprise…like christmas everyday…sort of. All the best to everyone…
Cheers, Will
Here we go – Research Time
The beginning of our experience in southern Patagonia and the sub-Antarctic region of Chile has been enchanting. It is fascinating to see the cultural distinctiveness of a continent with inhabitants who are not much different than our own, at least from a standpoint of descent. Latin America (or what I have seen) is similar to how I had
imagined it – vibrant and unique.
The landscapes have augmented our endeavor in a variety of ways, ranging from beautiful snow capped mountains, to pristine virgin forests, to vast archipelagos and seemingly endless channels. We have witnessed our first full moon on this continent, which is brighter than any I have previously seen – intensely bright, as to blind the eyes, or something like that.
The purpose of our venture, ecological research, has been progressing agreeably. We have begun to explore much of the immediate environment, as well as initiated our field research, including Brett’s ornithological extravaganza and Amy’s macroinvertebrate cabaret. My data analysis stuff is developing nicely as well, like a fine lentil stew awaiting mastication.
Cheers, Willis
OSARA News 2004-2005
2006
July:
www.osara.org receives major update and now includes research and education resources, including maps, publications and a photographic archive of aquatic macroinvertebrates!
May:
Dr. Christopher Anderson, OSARA Secretary, presents lecture entitled “Saving Cape Horn” at the New York Yacht Club in Manhattan. The event was attended by more than 160 NYYC members.
Dr. Kurt Heidinger becomes OSARA’s Coordinator for Education Programs.
Andrew Holton, J.D., is invited to become a member of the OSARA Board of Directors.
OSARA initiates a new study abroad program with the University of North Texas to be held in December 2006/January 2007.
April:
University of Georgia undergraduate students Brett Maley, William Collier and Amy Trice present their projects conducted in the Omora Park at the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities Symposium. Maley is awarded the prize for best undergraduate science paper and Collier was recognized as a CURO 2005 Summer Scholar.
March:
OSARA reports the discovery of two new species of freshwater fish for the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve. Michelle Moorman (N.C. State University) found the species Aplochiton taenitus and A. zebra, which were previously only described south to Tierra del Fuego. Both of these species are first described from samples taken by Charles Darwin during his expedition about the Beagle to the southern archipelago in the 1830s.
January:
Michelle Moorman begins the first survey of freshwater fish in the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve.
2005
December:
Board of Directors meeting held in Santiago, Chile and Puerto Williams, Chile.
Michelle Moorman is notified that her application with OSARA for a Wildlife Conservation Society grant was funded. Michelle will study the effects of introduced beavers and trout on native freshwater fish in the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve.
October:
OSARA President Carl Fisher is notified by the IRS that the application for chariable status (IRS Code 501.c.3) has been approved!
September:
www.osara.org goes online! Many thanks to Geoff Fellows for volunteering his time and talents.
August:
OSARA and the University of Georgia initiate the first pilot study abroad program. Three undergraduates travel to the Cape Horn area to conduct independent projects.
April:
The IRS responds to OSARA’s 501(c)3 application, desiring further information.
2004
November:
Christopher Anderson and Jan Fisher attend All About Boards, a conference coordinated by the Non-Profit Center in Tacoma, WA about building boards of directors and strengthening non-profit governance.
OSARA applies for IRS tax-exempt status.
August:
The Omora Sub-Antarctic Research Alliance (OSARA) is incorporated August 3, 2004
OSARA News 2004-2005
2006
July:
www.osara.org receives major update and now includes research and education resources, including maps, publications and a photographic archive of aquatic macroinvertebrates!
May:
Dr. Christopher Anderson, OSARA Secretary, presents lecture entitled “Saving Cape Horn” at the New York Yacht Club in Manhattan. The event was attended by more than 160 NYYC members.
Dr. Kurt Heidinger becomes OSARA’s Coordinator for Education Programs.
Andrew Holton, J.D., is invited to become a member of the OSARA Board of Directors.
OSARA initiates a new study abroad program with the University of North Texas to be held in December 2006/January 2007.
April:
University of Georgia undergraduate students Brett Maley, William Collier and Amy Trice present their projects conducted in the Omora Park at the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities Symposium. Maley is awarded the prize for best undergraduate science paper and Collier was recognized as a CURO 2005 Summer Scholar.
March:
OSARA reports the discovery of two new species of freshwater fish for the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve. Michelle Moorman (N.C. State University) found the species Aplochiton taenitus and A. zebra, which were previously only described south to Tierra del Fuego. Both of these species are first described from samples taken by Charles Darwin during his expedition about the Beagle to the southern archipelago in the 1830s.
January:
Michelle Moorman begins the first survey of freshwater fish in the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve.
2005
December:
Board of Directors meeting held in Santiago, Chile and Puerto Williams, Chile.
Michelle Moorman is notified that her application with OSARA for a Wildlife Conservation Society grant was funded. Michelle will study the effects of introduced beavers and trout on native freshwater fish in the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve.
October:
OSARA President Carl Fisher is notified by the IRS that the application for chariable status (IRS Code 501.c.3) has been approved!
September:
www.osara.org goes online! Many thanks to Geoff Fellows for volunteering his time and talents.
August:
OSARA and the University of Georgia initiate the first pilot study abroad program. Three undergraduates travel to the Cape Horn area to conduct independent projects.
April:
The IRS responds to OSARA’s 501(c)3 application, desiring further information.
2004
November:
Christopher Anderson and Jan Fisher attend All About Boards, a conference coordinated by the Non-Profit Center in Tacoma, WA about building boards of directors and strengthening non-profit governance.
OSARA applies for IRS tax-exempt status.
August:
The Omora Sub-Antarctic Research Alliance (OSARA) is incorporated August 3, 2004