Exploring Birding and Biodiversity Hotspots of Argentina

Have you explored where nature's abundance flourishes like nowhere else on earth and biodiversity reaches its maximum expression? Have you seen the wild heart of the planet? Have you gazed on naked grandeur where there's nothing else to gaze on?

Well, now is your chance! Pacific Biodiversity Institute invites avid adventurers and birders to join a research expedition in the provinces of Salta and Jujuy in northwestern Argentina. These provinces are renowned for their rich biodiversity and beautiful landscapes. They are ecologically diverse, with imposing mountains, extensive sub-tropical and tropical forests, rivers, canyons, deserts, salt flats and high lakes.

The area is extremely rich in bird life, and other wild fauna and flora. Salta and Jujuy also contain some of the most colorful and vibrant culture in Argentina. Evidence of Inca and pre-Inca civilizations are found throughout the landscape. These provinces contain some of the most important unprotected wildlands in Argentina.The purpose of the expedition is twofold: 1) to gather more information about this region to aid in its further protection, 2) to introduce new people to this area of incredible contrasts, immense biodiversity, spectacular beauty and great conservation opportunity.

Those interested in joining this trip may contact PBI at expeditions@pacificbio.org. Further details can be found here: http://www.pacificbio.org/expeditions/salta_jujuy2014.html

In March 2-15 2014, we will explore the highest biodiversity areas in Argentina and see a broad spectrum of landscapes You will enjoy close contact with nature, local people and, at the same time, contribute to conservation science activities organized by PBI and local conservation NGOs.The expedition will be led by PBIs immensely talented Argentine conservation biologist, Lucila Castro. Lucila is fluent in both Spanish and English and has a deep knowledge of biology, ecology and Argentine culture. Lucila will give several evening presentations about the wildlife that we may encounter and will aid in bird and other wildlife identification throughout the trip. Gisella Peralta, another biologist working with PBI, will be the assistant leader and will aid in wildlife identification.

At the beginning of the trip, participants will meet Dr. Patricia Marconi, an ornithologist and conservationist. She will participate in hikes into the subtropical forests near Salta. During the last part of the expedition, Dr. Ricardo Torres, a professor of wildlife ecology and a bird expert from the Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, will join us to explore the tropical forests of Valle Grande and Parque Nacional Calilegua.

www.pacificbio.org

The Captain Scott Society's Funding Awards

An Open Invitation to Explorers and Adventurers The Captain Scott Society makes its two annual awards in April each year. The Sir Vivian Fuchs's Youth Award of 500 is for 11 to 18 year olds. The Spirit of Adventure Award 2,500 is for 19 year olds upwards. Applicants are encouraged to submit details of their expeditions / projects from January to mid-March each year.

This enables them to report on the detailed aspects of their project and its planning. We do not have a prescribed application form but your proposal should embrace most of the following. 1) A Summary Letter describing The Nature of the Expedition and its objectives. 2) Planning 3) Finance / Funding 4) Logistics 5) Scientific / Community Value 6) Unusual / Firsts 7) Character Building The Expeditions Secretary reads all the applications and draws up a shortlist for final adjudication an Awards Panel in the first week of April.

The winner is notified by mid-April. Applicants are referred to the website www.captainscottsociety.com and the General Conditions associated with the awards. Further clarification can be sought via Jack Wright - Expeditions Secretary contact via029 20754869 and hazejon@talktalk.net "

Istanbul to Japan

After graduating, the call of the wild was too strong to just ignore it. I had to do something, but what?

Thinking about it a lot, I eventually came to an idea : I would travel overland by all means possible except air-planes from Istanbul in Turkey to the country of Japan. On the way, many adventures happened, the wind blew me off my itinerary and I ended up in Bali after crossing Indonesia on a bicycle I had just bought in Kuala Lumpour. Among other things, I hitchhiked my way across Kyrgystan, bought a motorbike in Hanoi for 250$ and crossed Vietnam and Laos before selling it on the border.That may be my first big travel but it didn't stop the fire inside me. Its even stronger, cant help thinking about my next expeditions ... but what ?

 www.marcsurchat.ch

In the cave of the holy mountain - Athos, Greece part 3

In mid-October, 2013 ended the third consecutive expedition. It is managed by V. Gyorev with participants A. Genkov and K. Stoichkov (Bulgaria),I. Agapov, S. Kaminski (Russia), G. Lazaridis, L. Makrostergios, A. Radulesko (Greece), D. Tomich (Serbia). Researchers expanded the perimeter of studies, covering territories around the monasteries Hilendar, Esvigmen, the Great Lavra, the Romanian Skete Timiou Prodromou, Athos summitand the place Virgin Mary (Panagia) below the peak.

There are found and mapped 26 new underground sites (mostly caves), among which is the longest explored cave of the peninsula up to date in Karulya place (length about 130 m). It was explored also the so called Athos Large Cave, which recently is the biggest in volume cave on the Athos peninsula.

They're found and located with GPS receivers, finding 20 more cave entrances but because lack of time they were not surveyed! The total length of the surveyed sites together with the caves which exploration is in progress.

https://sites.google.com/site/athosmistery/home

White Ice Cycle

On the 27th December 2013, Maria Leijerstam became the first person in the world to cycle from the edge of the Antarctic continent to the South Pole.

She also set the new World Record for the fastest human powered coast to pole traverse, completing her journey in 10 days, 14hrs and 56 minutes.Maria spent four years planning, creating, training and preparing for this double world record.Full details can be found on the White Ice Cycle website.

http://www.whiteicecycle.com

Mongolia voluntary work

I am looking for information about voluntary work opportunities in Mongolia which would be pertinent for a student group and NOT cost the earth to be involved in!

Any contact links greatly welcomed.

georgia@wilderness-expertise.co.uk

Nellie Bly in the Sky

Its 125 years since crusading journalist Nellie Bly raced through a mans world -- alone and literally with the clothes on her back -- to beat the fictional record set by Jules Verne/Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days. She won the race and became a global celebrity.To this day, she is one of the worlds top 10 female adventurers.125 years later, I followed in her footsteps.We both travelled alone with one small case.

She went by ocean liner and train. I flew. She raced, I didn't. She covered 28,000 miles in 72 days; I completed 22,500 miles in 32 days. She journeyed through the Victorian age, dashing conventions along the way. I travelled through the Information age, blogging along the way. She started from New York. I started from London. We both finished with book-length memories and a profound appreciation for the kindness shown to us everywhere we went.My expedition is endorsed by Women in Journalism and registered with the Royal Geographical Society.

Visit the website: www.nelliebly125.wordpress.com