Unique Experiences
Item Description
Spend the afternoon with Orlando Vargas touring the La Selva forest. Orlando's knowledge and enthusiasm for La Selva will provide you with an insight into La Selva that you have never experienced.
Orlando is currently working as the Station Naturalist and is the Head of La Selva Scientific Operations, and is part of the research team of the Digital Florula Project. This project has developed a digital plant guide for internet of the 2000+ species found at La Selva. He was responsible for searching and collecting plant specimens in the field and gathering images, natural history and botanical collections for different Costa Rican and international herbaria, in conjunction with bioinformatics putting together the data for developing electronic taxonomic keys.
Orlando is also in charge of the herbarium and is coordinating the Invasive Alien plant species Program, Christmas Bird Counts and participates actively in the training of students of the OTS tropical biology courses.
He started working at the station in 1982, and he was the first youngest researcher's assistant that came to La Selva. During 1982 and 1989 he assisted many researchers by collecting field data for various scientific papers and thesis.
In 1990 Orlando assisted the Biodiversity Institute (INBIO) on the Flora of Costa Rica Manual, and worked as the Naturalist at Rara Avis Field Station.
In 1991, became La Selva staff as the Station Naturalist, to assist the Environmental education program, technical and botanical support for researchers and natural history walks for the various educational groups visiting La Selva. In March 2002, he decided to leave La Selva to start and help the creation of new field sites for Latin-American students and scientists, some of these efforts end up with the establishment of the Reserva Ecologica Bijagual, a new conservation unit in the Sarapiqui region.
In September 2004, Orlando came back to La Selva, where he grew up as the Station naturalist. All of these experiences have given Orlando the opportunity to collaborate with more the 50 scientific papers, direct participation in conservation projects in the region and have served as a teaching assistant for various OTS courses and other workshops.
Item Special Note
Date to be mutually agreed upon with donor and based on lodging availabilty at La Selva.
Includes one night lodging for 2 people, 1/2 day guided with Orlando, three meals, and local taxes.
Does not include travel to La Selva.
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