MONTHLY ACHIEVEMENT REPORT Jalova Expedition September 2013 Community relationship development in combination with staff training.

Figure 1- GVI staff and representatives of MINAE attending a plant identification course hosted at the Jalova base.

Staff and volunteers at GVIs Jalova base in Tortuguero National Park have always prided themselves on their close relationship with the local community and governmental agencies, which are integral to the work conducted at Jalova. In recent weeks this association has been further developed as staff from the base have attended a number of training courses organized by both MINAE (Ministry of Environment and Energy) and GVI in an attempt to increase knowledge and understanding of the flora and fauna present in the park. The most recent of these activities involved the local rangers and GVI staff taking part in a three-day course aimed at the identification of local plant species and the appropriate techniques used to catalogue the abundance of these species. The course was conducted at Jalova and provided the opportunity for GVI staff and the park rangers to interact on a personal level, building on already established relationships as well as giving the chance to make new friends and contacts. This unique experience contributed greatly to facilitating the work of both GVI staff and the park ranger service and will provide valuable information relevant to planned future projects such as the monkey research initiative.

Recently Staff and volunteers at Jalova in partnership with ACTo (Tortuguero Conservation Area) and SINAC (National System of Conservation Areas) participated in a park wide shorebird count. In total, six river mouths were surveyed with GVI providing data from both Jalova and Parismina. This survey occurs twice a year, providing the park authorities with important information regarding both migratory and resident shorebirds throughout Tortuguero National Park. Across survey areas a total of thirty bird species were recorded, including one new species to the GVI Jalova species list, the southern roughwinged swallow (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis). Prior to the plant species course and the shorebird survey, staff were lucky to be invited to Tortuguero to take part in a snake identification and handling seminar, again in conjunction with the local ranger service and hosted by the University of Costa Rica. The aim of the seminar was to increase identification skills in regard to snake species; provide anatomical information on the relevant species; discuss the possible treatments for snake bites; and demonstrate the correct handling techniques when dealing with snakes. Many of the personnel representing the ranger service were old acquaintances of Jalova staff and the seminar provided a great opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences in a formal learning environment.

Figure 2 Fer-de-Lance seen just outside Jalova Finally, during this month training week for new volunteers at Jalova, the staff and volunteers were joined during their bird boat activity by one of the parks rangers. During this survey over half of the bird projects species were sighted, as well as four of the six kingfisher species and the rarely sighted purple gallinule (Porphyrio martinica). Hopefully these events will only be the start of further integration with the local communities surrounding Tortuguero National Park. With the up and coming Tortufest (marine turtle festival)activity planned for the end of this month, staff and volunteers are more than excited about the project s future in the area. Ian Thomson, Field Staff