VOLUNTEER TROPICAL RESEARCH ASSISTANT in Monteverde, Costa Rica. The work will be on the importance of birds to tropical forest restoration.

At the Cloud Forest School in Monteverde, Costa Rica, students in grades K to 11 have been reforesting abandoned pastures to restore the tropical cloud forest. Because birds disperse seeds of many tropical plants and also eat herbivorous insects, they are a critical component to tropical forest restoration and regeneration. More frequent visits by birds in the reforestation and naturally regenerating areas should increase the rate of forest regeneration. I am seeking someone to assist with monitoring the bird community in terms of diversity and abundance in the reforestation areas for at least two to three months. The assistant must have excellent bird identification skills, be willing to work very early mornings, and work independently. Pay is not available, but this is an ideal opportunity to develop an independent project or be co-author on a publication. Starting in Jan, Feb or Mar 2009 are the best times, but spring or summer 2009 are also possible. Contact: PATRICIA TOWNSEND (EM:

ptownsen@... ), Ph. D. Candidate, Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.