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GYC2730 - Rainforest project Country: Brunei Darussalam Cost: £1195.00 Cost Includes: The price includes accommodation, food and pickup from airport but does not include flight, insurance, kit or visas     Duration: 1 months Company Rep Nearby: Various 0845 344 7585 or

 

	This placement would suit... Someone with a definite interest in this field who's prepared to get stuck in without too much thought to comfort. You need to be capable of working without supervision, and to have plenty of initiative. This placement will suit someone interested in a career in the natural sciences. Ideally, you should possess some background knowledge of a science. Work on a research project in the Brunei Rainforest and learn about conservation in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The lowland rainforest that surrounds the lake is a very important ecosystem. It contains thousands of different animal and plant species, including, to date, 800 different species of plants, 40 different species of dragonflies and the white collared fruit bat which is found only here. Scientists believe that more plants and animals could be discovered here with further research. This is an ideal project for those looking to gain research experience in a tropical environment. About the research project The Natural History Department of the Brunei Museum have established a new research project in an area of rainforest called Tutong, where they have a station at a 'black water' lake by the rainforest. This is a beautiful area where youth groups are often found learning about the environment. The black water lake, known as Tasek Merimbun, is unique and is the largest lake in Brunei and the only black water lake in Borneo. It is located in the Tutong district of Brunei and is approximately 80km from Bandar Seri Begawan. Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park (TMHP) was declared an ASEAN National Heritage site in 1984. TMHP is a 7,800 hectare wildlife sanctuary and forest conservation area centred on Tasek Merimbun. It encompasses the lake, surrounding wetlands, peat swamp forest and lowland dipterocarp rainforest. TMHP is not only an important ecosystem, but it is also important historically. Archaeological remains have been found next to the lake and on its islands. The ‘Dusun’ people have lived here for at least 500 years. However artefacts excavated show trade with China as long ago as the 12th Century AD. The natural history programme consists of baseline surveys of the flora and fauna of the area to establish a comprehensive basis for further research into specific subjects. The ongoing surveys are... - Mammals - Birds - Reptiles and amphibians - Insects - Plants (800+ known species) - Plant phenology (phenology is the study of the annual cycles of plants and animals and how they respond to seasonal changes in their environment. In botany phenology refers to the timing of flower emergence, sequence of bloom, fruiting, and leaf drop). The species in the park include... - Mammals: Clouded leopard, wild boar, deer, mouse deer, langurs, tarsiers, sun bears, banded palm civet cat, bats, shrews and squirrels. - Birds: Raptors, argus pheasant, hornbills, raffles malkoha, barbets, terns, cuckoos, woodpeckers, kingfishers. - Reptiles and Amphibia: Crocodiles, monitor lizards, snakes including paradise tree snakes (a gliding snake), skinks and geckos, frogs and toads - water, ground and tree. Your work responsibilities Volunteers are needed for the above surveys as well as for other research and educational activities, such as: - Habitat restoration - Collection, identification and preparation of specimens - Maintenance of databases (tropical plant species and herbarium collection) - Preparation of informational material on TMHP fauna and flora - trail information, booklets As a volunteer your work will involve day and night work out at the station, walks on the trail in the forest, and identification of species by observation, droppings, diet, range etc. In addition to biological surveys, reconnaissance and mapping surveys are proposed for the establishment of new trekking trails and campsites in the area so as to facilitate outstation field trips to avoid returning to the Park HQ each night. Volunteers will be given training in the use of maps and compass navigation but will not be expected to navigate without a guide. All of the museum staff are very enthusiastic and spend a lot of time out in the field. If you have a specific study of your own, you can also some here to further your research while at the park. The Museum is also very interested in having native English speakers with a scientific background to help in the presentation and phraseology of the park literature and the signage of the nature trails as well as the captions of exhibits. This placement is in a fairly remote area and so you should expect to be on site for 4-5 days out of each week. Volunteers will not be left on their own when staff leave for home. Transport to and from TMHP will be provided. On occasions, volunteers may be situated at the Natural History department for activities that are not done at TMHP.  As with all placements in Brunei, volunteers may join in with various activities and trips to places of interest that are arranged locally. Your induction You'll have an induction before you start work which includes a tour of the town and the area, plus in-depth information about the local culture. You'll also be guided on what to do, what not to do, how to dress, how to behave, as well as useful local information like banking hours, etc. Your accommodation During the week you will live in dormitory style accommodation at the TMHP. Facilities are good, including hot running water, showers and refrigeration. Rooms are large with more than ample storage and closet space, proper beds and room fridge in addition to the large communal fridge and freezer. Volunteers may have to share a room with a person of the same sex. All persons staying at TMHP, whether volunteers, visiting scientists or TMHP staff, do their own cooking and provisioning. There is a large modern cooking range (gas and electricity) and the oven, crockery and cutlery are provided. Some persons may collaborate and share cooking and food while some scientists pay the local Dusun to cook meals for them by private arrangement. In the case of volunteers, our local organisers will arrange for weekly provisioning and delivery but cooking arrangements are to be handled by volunteers themselves. At weekends you will be accommodated in very nice accommodation in Bandar Seri Begawan. Whilst here you may be accommodated with a local expatriate family, one of whom may be a teacher, or alternatively you may have the opportunity to share an apartment with other volunteers. Bandar is the capital of Brunei and this is the area where most other volunteers will be placed. Houses in Brunei are very nice and of a relatively luxurious standard, usually with air conditioning/fans and all other modern amenities. There are about 10,000 expatriates in Brunei most of whom live there because the lifestyle in so enjoyable. Climate The climate is hot with high humidity and heavy rainfall. There is no distinct wet season: rainfall occurs throughout the year, but is heaviest between September and January. Temperatures are constantly between 24 and 31 degrees Celsius and with the average humidity at 79% this tropical country is a pretty warm and sticky place to be! 0845 344 7585 Travellers Worldwide: Live and work abroad helping children, adults, animals and entire communities in less advantaged countries. Learn about their culture from the inside! Stay from as little as two weeks to as long as one year - you choose your dates and duration!