Krecek Briefing

8/3/2019 Krecek Briefing

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Czech Technical University (Czech Republic)

dr zuana hrika

Czech Technical University (Czech Republic)

Expedition Briefng 2011e v e y t h G y o e e d t o o w b e f o e y o G o


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TIMELINE AND CHECKLISTIn preparing for your upcoming Earthwatch Expedition, please ensure that you:

* If you have signed up for an expedition within 90 days of the start date, you must return your fully completed VolunteerForms as soon as possible.

Immediately Read this Expedition Briefing and all enclosed materials thoroughly Book an appointment with your doctor; youll need them to sign your Health Form Make sure you understand and agree to Earthwatch policies and participant responsibilities (in the Appendix)

At least 90 days prior to your expedition start date

Complete and return your Volunteer Forms. Below are the specific forms required for this expedition: Personal Profile Health Form Travel Details Form W1: Water Skills General Liability Release Form

European volunteers can download Volunteer Forms on:earthwatch.org/europe/volunteerforms

US/North American volunteers can download Volunteer Forms at:earthwatch.org/volunteerforms

Australian volunteers can download forms onearthwatch.org/australia/expeditions/volunteer_forms/

Japanese volunteers can download forms onwww.earthwatch.jp/getinvolved/condition/formdownload-i.html

Pay any outstanding balance on the minimum contribution for your expedition Book travel arrangements (see the Rendezvoussections for details) If you plan to purchase additional travel insurance, note that some policies require purchase when yourexpedition is booked. (See the Insurancesection for more information.) If travelling internationally, make sure your passport is current and obtain a visa for your destination country(if necessary) (see the Passports and Visas sectionfor more details) Make sure you have all the necessary vaccinations for your project site (see the Health Informationsection) Purchase a guide book for your destination country Bring your level of fitness up to the standards required (see the Project Conditionssection)

At least 60 days prior to your expedition start date

Review the packing list, ensuring you have all the clothing and any special equipment needed Obtain any necessary prescription medications that will be needed for your travelsUp to 30 days before you leave for the Expedition Read any required reading or websites recommended by the Earthwatch scientist(s) for your expedition Make sure you have enough personal funds for your expedition (See the Travel Planningsection) Leave the Earthwatch emergency contact number with a friend or relative (see Emergencies in the Field) Leave a copy of your passport, visas & airline tickets with a friend or relative Confirm your travel arrangementsOn the Expedition

Read any additional materials provided by the Earthwatch scientist(s) Take photos and or video and keep a research diary when and where appropriate (see the Liability Releaseform for more information). Those with photography and film skills are encouraged to share media from theexpedition with Earthwatch. Talk to your teammates about other great expeditions

Within 30 days of the expeditions conclusion

Please complete our online evaluation survey to help us improve. Your feedback is appreciated!
http://www.earthwatch.org/europe/volunteerformshttp://www.earthwatch.org/europe/volunteerformshttp://www.earthwatch.org/europe/volunteerformshttp://www.earthwatch.org/volunteerformshttp://www.earthwatch.org/volunteerformshttp://www.earthwatch.org/volunteerformshttp://www.earthwatch.org/australia/expeditions/volunteer_forms/http://www.earthwatch.org/australia/expeditions/volunteer_forms/http://www.earthwatch.org/australia/expeditions/volunteer_forms/http://www.earthwatch.jp/getinvolved/condition/formdownload-i.htmlhttp://www.earthwatch.jp/getinvolved/condition/formdownload-i.htmlhttp://www.earthwatch.jp/getinvolved/condition/formdownload-i.htmlhttp://www.earthwatch.jp/getinvolved/condition/formdownload-i.htmlhttp://www.earthwatch.org/australia/expeditions/volunteer_forms/http://www.earthwatch.org/volunteerformshttp://www.earthwatch.org/europe/volunteerforms


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Mountain Waters of the Czech Republic

Table of ContentsGENERAL INFORMATION ........................................................................................................................................2THE RESEARCH .......................................................................................................................................................5

PROJECT STAFF........................................................................................................................................................8 DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD ..................................................................................................................................... 10

VOLUNTEER TRAINING AND ASSIGNMENTS .............................................................................................................. 10TEAM ITINERARY AND DAILY SCHEDULE .................................................................................................................. 11ACCOMMODATION.................................................................................................................................................. 13FOOD.................................................................................................................................................................... 15

PROJECT CONDITIONS ........................................................................................................................................ 16POTENTIAL HAZARDS ............................................................................................................................................. 17HEALTH INFORMATION ........................................................................................................................................... 18MEDICAL CONDITIONS OF SPECIAL CONCERN ......................................................................................................... 20EMERGENCIES IN THE FIELD ................................................................................................................................... 20COMMUNICATIONS ................................................................................................................................................. 21

TRAVEL PLANNING............................................................................................................................................... 22RENDEZVOUS........................................................................................................................................................ 22PASSPORTS AND VISAS.......................................................................................................................................... 22INSURANCE ........................................................................................................................................................... 24PACKING CONSIDERATIONS.................................................................................................................................... 25ADDITIONAL TRAVEL INFORMATION......................................................................................................................... 25RECOMMENDED READING ...................................................................................................................................... 27HELPFUL RESOURCES ........................................................................................................................................... 27

APPENDIX .............................................................................................................................................................. 29EXPEDITION PACKING CHECKLIST.................................................................................................................... 33


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Department of Hydrology

Czech Technical University in Prague

Dear Volunteer,

Welcome to the Mountain Waters of the Czech Republicexpedition! We continue with the 21st year of our

Earthwatch project to rehabilitate the acid-rain damaged headwaters in North Bohemia (the western part of theCzech Republic). The range of the Jizera Mountains is a part of the so-called Black Trianglethe epicenter ofair pollution and acid precipitation in Europe.

The urgent need for freshwater control and recovery has already been widely recognized: UNESCO proclaimedthe year of 2003 as the International Year of Freshwaters. Mountains are supposed to be the water towers of theworld; therefore, the revival of fresh water resources is not possible without the rehabilitation of mountainecosystems.

The aim of our project is to contribute to the recovery of mountain ecosystems. First, to provide a long-termmonitoring and scientific verification of the effects of acid rain and forest practices on the soil, plant and waterinteractions, and second, to support multi-resource land use practices, and to find compromises between specificland uses and air pollution control.

Over the last 20 years, more than 350 volunteers have helped us to investigate the detailed processes of forestdecline and hydrology in headwater basins, and the limnology of water reservoirs. Recently, a recovery of surfacewaters has appeared, following the reduction in air pollution and more environmentally oriented forestry practices.This new situation deserves attention.

We are aware that we are dealing with long-term processes. However, our extensive fieldwork (study of theatmospheric deposition, run-off, chemistry and biology of waters, soil and vegetation, and documentation of soilerosion and sedimentation) makes a base for an evaluation of short-term experiments (i.e. episodic acidificationand reintroduction of fish).

We continue to need your help, and we look forward to working with you at our research site.

Yours sincerely,

Josef Krecek


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THE RESEARCHMountain Waters of the Czech Republic

The Mountain Waters of the Czech Republicproject aims to identify optimal strategies to rehabilitate theheadwater areas of North Bohemia damaged by acid atmospheric deposition and commercial forestry, and to

verify the environmental effects of these strategies in the Jizera Mountains. This long-term, multidisciplinaryresearch includes monitoring water quality of precipitation and surface waters (reservoirs and streams) anddetailed studies of hydrological and bio-geo-chemical processes in watersheds. The results will contribute to theassessment of critical atmospheric loads, the evaluation of trends in environmental processes related to thedecreased level of pollution, the suggestion and verification of alternative watershed management, and to nationaland international action plans for rehabilitation and protection of mountain ecosystems.

The impact of the acid atmospheric deposition on mountain watersheds is a long-term process. The firstsignificant loss of spruce needles in the Jizera Mountains due to the effects of air pollution was observed in the1960s. The acid atmospheric deposition culminated in the late 1980s. The sulfate load was increased by theeffect of spruce plantations (under the canopy of spruce stands, the deposition of sulfate exceeded several timesthe load measured in the open field). Surface waters had been extremely acidified with drastic changes in waterchemistry and biota. In the upper plain, water courses and reservoirs had been fishless since the late 1950s. Theimproved quality of the water in streams and reservoirs observed since 1992 (elevated pH and alkalinity values,

reduced content of sulfate and aluminium) is the result of lower acid deposition, liming of catchments, and areduced canopy area due to the harvest of spruce stands. Since 1995, the reservoirs Bedrichov, Sous, andJosefuv Dul and several related headwater streams were successfully restocked with brook char. Currently,forestry practices in watersheds of the Jizera Mountains are oriented to traditional environmentally friendlytechniques (skidding the harvested timber by horses or cable-ways, and reforestation with stands close to thenative species composition of trees).

In 2011, volunteers are needed to collect samples of water, soil, and vegetation to evaluate the regrowth andvitality of forest stands, to identify morphology, discharge, and habitat of streams, and to measure physical andchemical parameters of the water. You may also assist in the program of soil erosion control or in the study ofrestocked fish populations, depending on weather conditions.

Goals of the research

Our goal is to evaluate environmental effects of reforestation practices (namely their impacts on water resources:quantity and quality), and, to analyse trends in the atmospheric pollution (decreasing sulphur content in the air,but an increase in emissions of nitrogen), and the climate stress (extreme air temperatures, rainstorms,windstorms etc.). Attention will be given to the effects of climate change on processes of episodic acidification(affected by a rapid snowmelt or intensive summer rainstorms) and the life in water reservoirs.

All the recent positive changes have been documented, in many cases also predicted, by the multipurpose studyof the project. However, our research territory is extremely specific and complicated, with its very low buffercapacity and its natural acidity, and its fragile balance is changing all the time; and is expected to change underglobal climate change, and a future peak of man-made acidity (caused by high concentration of nitrate in theatmosphere and an increasing canopy area in reforested watersheds). Besides the traditional long-term researchon both the quantity and quality of rain, stream and lake water, additional project aims are:

The long-term monitoring of the climate, water cycle, atmospheric deposition, and water quality inselected headwater stream profiles (mainly inflows into drinking water reservoirs).

To evaluate effects of different liming strategies and techniques (relatively expensive aerial liming ofwater reservoir, low cost point liming of reservoir inflows, watershed liming, and a control site withoutliming).

To compare the environmental benefit of two forest alternatives (outside traditional plantations of Norwayspruce): stands of Colorado blue spruce (resistant but not native) versus mixed stands of native treespecies (common beech, common fir, mountain ash, and Norway spruce.


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To evaluate hydrological effects of catchment reforestation.

To assess the self-sustainability of the reintroduced fish populations.

Jizera Mountains

The Jizera Mountains region is situated in the humid temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. This area is on

an upper plain at an elevation of 800 meters, with gentle slopes and almost complete forest coverage (83%).Although forest stands of common beech and silver fir still dominated the region at the beginning of the 18thcentury, Norway spruce became a prevailing species during the 19th century. In the second half of the lastcentury, spruce forests came to comprise about 90% of the whole forest cover in the Jizera Mountains.

In the mountains, southward-moving cold fronts and air rising along the north fault zone create most rainfall. Themixing of maritime and continental influences results in spring and summer showers, and precipitation on theupper plain is the highest in the Czech Republic. Snow cover usually lasts from the beginning of November to theend of April, and the average maximum depth of the snow-pack is about 120 centimeters.

The upper plain of the Jizera Mountains is popular for hiking. It is easy to reach the highest tops, which are Smrk(1,124 meters) and Jizera (1,122 meters). The gentle slopes are also convenient for cross-country skiing duringthe winter. At the end of the 19th century, the first touring club in Liberec initiated trail-blazing and lookout towersin this region. Over the last 10 years, a proposal for the Jizera Mountains region to host the World Cup in classicskiing was repeatedly submitted. However, the proposal was never accepted largely due to the fragileenvironment of the area.

Surface run-off is extreme in the Jizera Mountains. Groundwater bodies occur only in shallow subsurface layersbecause of shallow soils and and almost impermeable bedrock. After catastrophic floods in the summer of 1897,five water reservoirs were constructed in the years 1902-1909 to protect the lowland cities and villages. Thesystem of drinking water supply in the mountains was built in the 1960s. The Jizera Mountains were proclaimed aProtected Landscape Region by the Czechoslovak Ministry of Culture in 1967. Inside this protected area of 350square kilometers, an additional 22 State Nature Preserves (total area of 18 square kilometers) were establishedfor conservation of old natural beech stands, natural spruce stands in high elevations, and several peat bogs. In1978, a decree by the Czech Government established the Jizera Mountains protected area as a ProtectedHeadwater Area to control the quantity and quality of run-off. In 1982, the new reservoir Josefuv Dul wasconstructed.

The mountains are sparsely populated with limited employment possibilities in forestry, management of waterreservoirs, and nature conservation. Agriculture is limited by the climate and elevation, and the regions traditionalglass and textile production is developed in lowland cities and villages, where tourism and sports are meaningfulsources of income and employment. The important industrial centers of North Bohemia lie at the southern borderof the region, namely the cities of Liberec (100,000 inhabitants) and Jablonec (45,500 inhabitants).

The Czech Republic

The first important civilization on the territory of the Czech Republic was Celtic (500-50 BC). Celtic settlementswere technically well developed but declined due to ineffective resource management and lack of sanitation.German tribes invaded around 10 BC, and Slavonic settlements originated since the sixth century AD. The firstSlavonic societies were developed under Samos empire (623-658), Great Moravia (833-910), and BohemianPrincipality in the Holy Roman Empire (895-1212). However, it is possible to compare the development and

importance of the original Celtic civilization with the society of the Bohemian Kingdom (1212). The golden age ofthe Czech State was under the rule of King Charles IV (1342-1378) when the Charles University and otherimportant institutions as well as historical monuments originated. In the period of 1526-1918, the Czech Kingdomwas integrated into the Austrian Empire. After World War I, the Bohemian Kingdom ended and the Czech territorywas included in Czechoslovakia, a republic originated in 1918. Throughout history, the Czech people desiredfreedom and democracy; the kings power was limited by the council of noblemen. Religious freedom was alreadyguaranteed in the 15

th century. After some difficulties during the German occupation (1939-1945) and the Sovietblock (1949-1989), the Czech Republic is again an independent and open democratic state. Since 2004, theCzech Republic has been part of the European Union. The dominant church is still Roman-Catholic with historicalroots from the 10th century, but freedom of religion remains guaranteed.


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The Jizera Mountains and research Sites:

Research Achievements

During the past 20 years, we contributed to the long-term monitoring of water quality, run-off formation, andcatchment-lake relations upon the level of the acid atmospheric deposition and the status of soil-vegetationcomplex in headwater catchments. The results were published in scientific journals and presented in internationalconferences.

In 1995 and 2001, project results were used in two national debates organized under the Food and Agriculture

Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and involving governments, the private sector, non-governmentalorganizations, and the public. The round-table discussions concerned a possible self-sustainable reconstructionof headwaters in the Jizera Mountains, and the main aim was to find a compromise in their protection andmanagement.

The outcomes of this study are regularly submitted to both national (Czech Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of theEnvironment) and international (European Forestry Commission, FAO Working Party on the Management ofMountain Watersheds, European Observatory of Mountain Forests, and the International Association onHeadwater Control) bodies. The results are implemented into national and international action plans.


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On the scientific level, the results are of great interest as the headwater lakes and catchments in the JizeraMountains are some of the most acidified sites in the world. Results are submitted to several internationalscientific networks, including the ICP on Waters (EEC/UN project), MOLAR (FW4 program of EU), and EMERGE(FW 5 program of EU).

The project is also beneficial to the educational community at the university level, as the Earthwatch scientiststeach undergraduate and graduate courses at Charles University, Czech Technical University, and CzechAgricultural University, and at the secondary level through the participation of high school teachers in field

expeditions. Additionally, Earthwatch scientist Josef Krecek teaches a new course entitled EnvironmentalHydrology in English for the Socrates program of the EU, using this research projects data.

PROJECT STAFF

Earthwatch scientists

Dr. Josef Krecek has a background in hydrology and climatology, landscape ecology, and water resourcesmanagement. Josef is associated with the Czech Technical University in Prague; and also experienced withseveral international projects abroad (Conservation of the Maharlu Lake in Persia, or Water Circulation in theYellow River Watershed in China). His responsibilities on the project include logistics of the field researchactivities, hydrological survey and experimental watersheds. Dr. Krecek will be present for all 2011 Earthwatchteams.

Dr. Zuzana Horicka has a background in limnology and ecology, and will be responsible for the researchactivities on chemistry and biology of surface waters. She is employed by the Charles University in Prague,experienced also with field research of small distant mountain lakes in Slovakia and Poland. Zuzana will be in thefield with all three Earthwatch teams.

Dr. Jana Novakova has a background in botany and plant ecology, and will be responsible for ecology ofherbaceous vegetation on clear-cut areas. She is employed by the Institute of Applied Ecology at the CzechAgricultural University in Prague. Jana expects to join Teams 2 and 3.

Dr. Petr Navratil has a background in forest ecology, inventory, and planning and will be responsible forinventory of reforested sites. Petr is employed by the Forest Management Institute based in Jablonec (the JizeraMountains). Petr expects to join Team 2.

All the above Earthwatch scientists can speak English.

Graduate and undergraduate students will also join the teams in the field:

Graduate Students

Petr Puncocharhas a background in GIS applications and landscape engineering. Petr intends to join all threeteams, and will concentrate on stream ecology work.

Jiri Vrtiska has a background in hydrology and watershed management and will work with soil erosion andsediment control. Jiri will be in the field with teams 1 and 2.

Pavla Louckova has a background in hydrobiology and will participate in sampling benthic organisms. Pavla willbe in the field with team 3.

Undergraduate Students

Vlasimil Krcmar and Lukas Lamac are students at Czech Technical University and will spend two weeks in thefield.

Visiting Scientists

Myslibor Chalupa from the Czech Ministry of Agriculture, Prague, is a specialist in forest ecology.

Sato Yoshinobu from the University of Kyoto (Japan) is a specialist on catchment modeling.


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Staffing Schedule (Subject to Change)

Staff Member Present Team 1 Team 2 Team 3

Dr. Krecek> x x x

Dr. Horicka> x x x

Dr. Novakova> x xDr. Navratil> x x

Petr Puncochar x x x

Jiri Vrtiska x X

Pavla Louckova x


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Daily Life in the Field

VOLUNTEER TRAINING AND ASSIGNMENTS

Volunteers will be given lectures on the aims of the research and the methods to be used. Staff members willinstruct volunteers before and during fieldwork, laboratory work, and data processing. The staff will work withvolunteers as a team, and will supervise all activities related to the project. Lectures by staff members and visitingscientists are planned on topics including; changes of the chemical climate and its monitoring on remote sites,landscape ecology, watershed management, applied hydrology, bio-geo-chemistry of watersheds, limnology,ecology of fish, and alternative forestry.

On Day 2 (Sunday), Earthwatch scientists will talk about general aspects of the field expedition (the introductionto the project) and also introduce the history and culture of the studied region.

The Earthwatch scientists will give the team a more detailed onsite project briefing when you arrive.

Team members will hike in the mountains to take samples from rain gauges and fog gauges installed at severaldifferent sites, from about 30 stream sections and six reservoirs. In the three drinking water reservoirs, you willmeasure temperature, pH, conductivity, and oxygen content of the water in vertical profiles, estimate watertransparency, and sample the water, phytoplankton, and zooplankton from a boat. You will help professionalfishermen to fish out, measure, and weigh individual fish, sample fish scales, analyze gut content, and samplemuscles, liver, and reproductive organs for further analyses of heavy metals and other organic/inorganicpollutants. You will also collect benthic organisms (dominant food of the fish) from streams and the littoral zone ofreservoirs, and divide them into main systematic sub-groups.

Additionally, you will sample the soil and herbaceous vegetation at several transects in watersheds andunderground biomass of the plants and grass, dry and weigh it, and measure the leaf area. Finding selected skid-

roads and erosion rills by Global Positioning System (GPS) units, you will assess their stabilization by the grasscover. You may also be asked to help with digging a soil profile.

Finally, you will compare visual characteristics of forest stands with the measured electric resistance in conductivelayers of tree stems and evaluate the vitality of different forest stands and plantations. Canopy density will berecorded with standard geometric equipment and estimated by measurements of the light penetration. Ifnecessary, volunteers may also be asked to assist in the reconstruction of gauging stations, footpaths inexperimental watersheds, or to help with other manual work urgently needed at research sites.

Fieldwork will be conducted for 5-7 hours per day, and laboratory work, including computer time, will take 1-3hours per day. As you will be trained in all research techniques and will be assisted by staff members, nospecialized experience or skill is needed for participation.

All field and laboratory duties will require team effort. You are encouraged to contribute a brief informationalpresentation on your professional, Earthwatch, or travel experiences during informal sessions (slide shows aremost welcome). The Earthwatch scientists intends to organize trips for the recreational day, but there will also betime for evening socializing.

Training

Assignments


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TEAM ITINERARY AND DAILY SCHEDULE

Be aware that schedules can and do fluctuate as weather and work conditions can affect the dailyschedule. Should this situation arise, your cooperation and understanding are appreciated.

Day 1

Day 2

Days 3-8

Time of Day Activity

Rendezvous information is found in the printed version of the Expedition Briefing given to

volunteers. Please contact your Earthwatch office.

6:30pm Dinner

7:00pm Cultural programme

Time Activity

8am Breakfast

Individual sightseeing in old Prague

12pm Meeting with Josef Krecek at the reception of the hostel

Departure for the field (130-kilometer journey to the Jizera Mountains by minibus)

1pm Lunch

4.30pm Arrival in Bedrichov and accommodation

6pm Dinner

8pm Introduction to the project

Time Activity

8am Breakfast

9am Departure for the field

9.30am Fieldwork

12pm Lunch in the field

Fieldwork

5pm Return from the field

6pm Dinner

8pm Data processing and laboratory work

9pm Lectures, round-table discussions, or recreational time


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Day 9

Recreational day

Days 10-13

Days 10 13 will be similar to the schedule for Days 3-8 above.

Day 14

The team will return to Prague from the field on Friday (the day before the departure). On Friday night, the teamwill have a farewell dinner/party. Volunteers will stay in the Komenskeho hostel and the breakfast on Saturdaymorning (departure day) will be included.

Day 15

Volunteers can depart whenever is convenient after breakfast.

Reacreational Time

During recreational time, trips in the Jizera Mountains and neighboring areas will be organized and may include avisit to a concert, castle, museum, botanical/zoological gardens, shopping, and/or hiking/bicycling. Please notethat all recreational time activities will be at your own expense (admissions, purchases, etc.). Fees should not bemore than CZK500 (~US$30).

Volunteers should consult a travel guidebook for information on local attractions. See the Helpful Resourcessection for suggested guidebooks.

Time Activity

8am Breakfast9am Departure for the trip

12pm Lunch

5pm Arrival in Bedrichov

6pm Dinner

Time Activity

8am Breakfast

9am Departure for the field

12pm Lunch

Packing

4pm Departure for Prague

6.30pm Arrival in Prague and accommodation in the hostel Komenskho kolej

8pm Farewell dinner/party


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Earthwatch Recreational Time Policy

Earthwatch will generally accompany participants from the rendezvous to the end of the expedition except forrecreation time.

For days when no research activities are scheduled, referred to as recreational days, Earthwatch

scientists will offer either a planned team activity or a range of recreational activities that have beenvetted and comply with Earthwatch standards. Participants will also have the option of remaining at campor project accommodations to rest.

Participants who are determined to pursue options other than those recommended by the project staff willbe required to sign a release before doing so. If there is a period of time during a regular research daywhen no research activities are scheduled, adult participants may have the opportunity to leave theproject site on their own; they will be asked to sign out of the project giving their intended destination. Notappearing for the next scheduled activity will trigger the Emergency Response Plan (ERP) regardingmissing people. Earthwatch will assess the general risks of adult participants leaving the project site ontheir own at night after work hours but cannot guarantee participant safety or an awareness of all issues.

In some cases, due to local conditions, it may be advisable to restrict adult participants to the project

camp or accommodation after dark. This will be clearly communicated in the on-site safety briefing.However, if the local conditions are such that adult participants can go out at night under their ownrecognizance there will be a sign-out process through which participants should state their proposeddestination and estimated return time. Participants will be given 24 hour contact information for projectstaff should assistance be needed. The sign-out is informational only and will not be used to enforce acurfew on adult participants. Adult participants should understand that unless contacted for help, Projectstaff will not start a search for a missing participant unless they fail to appear the following morning or forthe next scheduled research activity.

Additional Policies Relevant to the Mountain Waters of the Czech RepublicExpedition

Participants who have driven themselves to the project may not drive their own vehicles to, from, or for projectactivities, including the transport of project equipment. Participants may choose to use their own vehicles during

recreational time, but be advised that all driving during recreational time is done at your own risk. You are activelydiscouraged from driving other participants during recreational time. Riding in another participants vehicle is alsodone at your own risk. Riding in other participants vehicles is not covered under the participants insurance policyfor the expedition.

ACCOMMODATION

In Prague

The first and last nights of the expedition will be spent in Prague, where volunteers will be accommodated atCharles Universitys student hostel (Kolej Komenskeho) near the Prague Castle, in single or double bedrooms

with modern conveniences. Upon request, couples might be accommodated in double bedrooms. Please contactEarthwatch and note this on your Volunteer Forms.

Kolej KomenskehoParlerova 6, CZ-160 00 Prague 6Telephone:8am 6pm, (420)-22051681624 hours (420) - 220388111Email:[email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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In the Field

During the rest of the expedition, the team will stay in Bedrichov village (200 inhabitants), which is 700 meters

above sea level in the western part of the Jizera Mountains and 20 kilometers from the city of Liberec. Volunteerswill stay in a small mountain pension and former farm (Statek U Rajtru, tel: +420 483-380-453) with centralheating, electric power (220 volts), a color television and video player, a telephone, hot showers (both cold andwarm water are available), and conventional toilets. Bathrooms are shared between two rooms. Bedding will beprovided but you will need to bring your own towel and house shoes/slippers (you will be asked to wear thesewhen indoors). Volunteers of the same gender will share twin or double rooms. It may be possible toaccommodate couples in a private room, but this is not guaranteed. Please note such preferences on yourVolunteer Forms submitted to Earthwatch.

There are no washing machines available at the site, so if you wish to do laundry you will need to wash yourclothes by hand in the bathroom and dry them outside the house.

Note: the pension is a non-smoking house; smoking is not allowed anywhere in the complex (rooms, facilities,lecture room, field laboratory).

The team will walk or be transported to the field sites by a minibus (15-40 minutes of travel time).

There are several restaurants, two shops, a Catholic church and a post office in Bedrichov. Vehicles are notnecessary to move around in this small village. Everything (harbor, supermarkets, taverns, bars, post office, etc.)can be reached by foot within minutes.

There is WIFI internet available in the pension for those coming with an appropriate laptop/notebook. Freeinternet access is available in the Information Centre in Bedrichov.


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FOOD

Buffet breakfast is served in the pension at 8:00. In the morning, volunteers will be also provided with sandwichesfor lunch in the field. Dinner will be served in the nearby restaurant at 18:00. The food will be prepared by aprofessional cook.

Below are examples of the foods you might expect in the field. Please bear in mind that variety depends onavailability. This list is intended to provide a general idea of food types, but it is very important that volunteers beflexible.

Breakfast: Cereals, fruit, jam, honey, bread, rolls, variety of cheeses, salami, juice, tea or coffee

Lunch: Sandwiches, cakes, fruits, nonalcoholic drinks

Dinner: Typical three-course (hot soup, main dish and desert) Czech meal. Variety of Czech cuisine,Usually meat (typically pork or beef) served with dumplings, potatoes or rice, in a sauce and orwith sauerkraut.

Snacks/Other: You are advised to bring along your own packaged snack foods (may be purchased in Prague)

Beverages: Soft drinks, caffeinated tea and coffee, orange juice, milk, water

Special Dietary Requirements

Please alert Earthwatch to any special dietary requirements (e.g. diabetes, lactose intolerance, nut or otherserious food allergies) as soon as possible, and note them in the space provided on your Volunteer Forms.Accommodating special diets may be possible upon request. While is rather difficult due to availability of food,location of field sites, and other local conditions, in the past, we have managed it.

Special note to vegans and strict vegetarians: Please be aware that it is often difficult to accommodate strictvegetarians and vegans. It may be possible to get meatless meals but vegans and strict vegetarians may have aproblem avoiding animal products altogether. If this poses a problem, then participation on this Earthwatchexpedition should be seriously reconsidered.


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PROJECT CONDITIONSPlease show this section to your doctor when he/she is completing your Health Form. Be sure to discussinoculation requirements with your doctor well in advance of your departure date. See the Health Informationsection for inoculation information.

To the Doctor:

Your patient has volunteered to join a field research team that has specific physical demands of which you andyour patient should be aware. We need your accurate evaluation of your patients ability to meet theconditions detailed below in order to care for his/her health and safety and assess that he/she canparticipate fully and effectively.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

The Jizera Mts. are situated in the humid temperatezone, volunteers will work mainly in the elevation of700 1,124 meters, covered by forests. During thefirst team, the temperatures might drop to 5-10

oC,

and in the second or third team, temperatures mightrise to 20-25 oC. However, all the teams mightexperience serious rain showers and a couple ofrelatively cold days.

The terrain is hilly to mountainous with steep anduneven, rocky sections. Mean annual precipitationin lower areas of the region is about 800 millimeters,while in some areas of the upper plain it exceeds1,600 millimeters, the highest in the country.

Weather is variable and unpredictable, and mayinclude cold rainy days as well as relatively hotsunny periods. All teams may experience days ofrain and somewhat cool weather. Be prepared to

dress in layers and carry additional gear in yourbackpack/rucksack.

The weather is expected to vary within the limitsbelow.

Conditions during May, June & JulyHumidity 60 % to 80 %Temperaturerange

5 C41F

25 oC77F

Rainfall 4.7 in/120 mm per monthAltitude 700m to 1,124m

Water Conditions

Typical watertemperature atworking depths

10 C/50 F

to 20 C/68 F

Typical watervisibility

6.5 ft/2 m

to 13 ft/4 m

Typical maximumwater depth in area

1 ft/0.3 m

to 118 ft/36 m

Types of water environment: Rivers, lakes andstreams

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Volunteers must:

have a good level of physical fitness withendurance for long hikes.

be able to walk approximately 1-7 km/0.6-4.3miles off-track each day at a moderate pace. Onoccasion, the project may hire a minibus to takethe team to the field site, although this is notalways guaranteed so be prepared to walk.

Some research will be undertaken from boats, thoughparticipation in this aspect of the study is notmandatory and can be substituted with shore-basedwork for those uncomfortable in boats. For safetypurposes, those who do wish to participate in thelake activities must be able to swim.

Past volunteers rated this project as moderate to

strenuous and wished they had spent more timeimproving their physical condition for the fieldwork. Itis strongly recommended that you spend time prior tothis expedition hiking in your boots (to ensure theyare broken in) and improving your cardiovascularfitness. A regular exercise program that involveswalking outdoors is important to ensure you areprepared and have sufficient strength to stabilize yourjoints when hiking on uneven surfaces.

Physical demands continued below.


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Below are the expected physical demands of the project, but please keep in mind that conditions may change andthe project could potentially be more or less strenuous than the chart indicates.

Sitting 2-4 hours per dayBending As needed to identify plantsHiking 1-7 km/0.6-4.3 miles for 1-6 hours per day, both on footpaths and off-trackWalking 1-2 km/0.6-1.2 miles for 30 minutes per dayCarrying Personal lunch and gear, as well as a share of the field instruments, up to 1.0 kgSwimming Optional, but ability to swim is required for participation in boat workWorking on a boat 2-4 hours per day on 3 days of the expedition (optional)

POTENTIAL HAZARDS

Hazard Type Associated Risks and PrecautionsPersonal Security There is no evidence of criminality in the upper plain of the mountains however, volunteers

must take care of any valuable items when staying in Prague and the larger cities. Pickpocketing and petty crime are common place and volunteers should never leave valuables

unattended in vehicles or their accommodation.Transportation There are the usual risks associated with driving present and the roads in the area are quitenarrow and have pot holes. A minibus will be used to transport volunteers. Seat belts mustbe worn when the vehicle is in motion and only experienced drivers will be used. Allvehicles will have first aid kits and communications available. No night driving will occur.

Walking/Hiking There is a possible risk of volunteers getting lost whilst out in the mountains. Volunteersmust hike in groups of 2-4, always together with the staff, and will usually work in relativelysmall areas. The staff carry a compass and map, and groups are provided with a GPS anda mobile phone and will be training in how to use it. Appropriate clothing for changingconditions and whistles to be carried and worn. Well marked and mapped forest roads andpath system. First aid kit should be carried on hikes and during field work. There must notbe any unaccompanied walking in the dark. Precautions for these risks will be covered inthe orientation.

Rough Terrain Most of the hiking lines follow paved paths. Only in two sites (Jizerka and Oldrichov)volunteers will hike in relatively difficult raw terrain (within forest stands or plots covered byherbaceous vegetation. At these site volunteers will encounter unstable hiking surfaces;and the group could be quite a distance/time to full medical attention. There is a risk ofstrains, sprains, slips, trips or falls. Volunteers should wear appropriate footwear (seepacking list) and clothing.

Ticks and insects Tick borne encephalitis exists in rural forested areas during summer months. Volunteersmust wear long sleeves and pants/trousers and use repellent to reduce risk of bites,trousers should be tucked into socks. Volunteers should check themselves thoroughly forticks at the end of each day. Mosquitoes are also present and volunteers with knownallergies should carry an Epi-pen/antihistamines and inform the staff of where they keeptheir medication.

Allergens During June and July, grass and tree pollen could be a problem for those with allergies. It isrecommended that volunteers come prepared with remedies that they are familiar and

effective for them, and inform staff of where these are kept.Vipers The only venomous animal in the region is the viper (common adder), a native snake that

enjoys stony places exposed to the sun. However, it must be noted that the research teamhas not encountered a single viper during the last 20 years of this project.

Sunburn/dehydration

There is the risk of getting sun burnt if the weather is hot. Volunteers should drink plenty ofwater and wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. Regular shade breaks should be taken.

Disease Please see the Health Informationsection for inoculation recommendations. Most diseasesare prevented with basic safety cautions. Please see the CDC (www.cdc.gov) or WHO(www.who.int) websites for more information.

Activity Workload/Intensity
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Travelersdiarrhea

Travelers diarrhea affects 20-50% of all international travelers. Volunteers should alwayswash their hands with soap and water or a hand sanitizer before eating, and drink filtered orbottled water. Volunteers should also carry an over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medication intheir personal First Aid kit. Volunteers are advised to speak to their doctor about otheroptions for treating travelers diarrhea and see the ISOS or CDC websites for advice onavoiding this condition.

Working on a boat Risks may include wet deck surfaces, unplanned immersion leading to cold-related injuries,and sprains/strains/breaks from falling on the boat. Volunteers will receive full safety

briefing regarding working from boats. All volunteers who will be involved in boat work mustbe able to swim. You must wear a life jacket at all times when in the boats and appropriatefootwear to avoid slips and trips. All staff members are swimmers. First aid kit and mobilephone available and a torch/flare also on board. All boats are checked regularly and ingood condition. Plastic bucket for bailing available. Volunteers will be trained to row andspare paddles are kept on board.

HEALTH INFORMATION

Seewww.internationalsos.comfor information on the current health conditions in Czech Republic. At thehomepage, enter Earthwatchs member identification number: 14ACPA000075. Under Select Resource choose

English Country Guide, and then select Czech Republic from the list.

Routine Immunizations

All volunteers should make sure to have the following up-to-date immunizations: DPT (diphtheria, pertussis,tetanus), polio, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and varicella (if you have not already had chicken pox). Pleasebe sure your tetanus shot is current.

Project Inoculations

Medical decisions are the responsibility of each volunteer and the following are recommendations only.While Earthwatch can provide details regarding suggested inoculations, we are not a medical organization anddecisions about which inoculations to receive should be made between you and your doctor. Health conditionsaround the world are constantly changing, so keep informed and consult your physician, a local travel health

clinic, the US Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov), the World Health Organization (www.who.int), andInternational SOS (see above) for the latest health information for travelers. Please consult your physician forguidance on inoculations if you intend to travel to other parts of the country.

Required for Entry Recommended for Health ReasonsTyphoid X- Recommended for adventurous and long-term

travelers.Recommended for anyone who will visit friends andrelatives, eat from local vendors or restaurants, or beexposed to conditions of poor sanitation.

Yellow fever X - if traveling from countriesor region where it is endemic,a Certificate of Vaccination is

required.Hepatitis A X- Recommended for all travelers and expatriates.Hepatitis B X- Recommended for long-term or frequent travelers,

expatriates and anyone who will travel to moreremote areas.

Rabies X- Recommended for all travelers and expatriates.Tickborneencephalitis

X- May be recommended for those visiting forests,fields or pastures during the summer tick season.
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Advice Regarding Diseases

Rabies:Vaccinations are generally recommended for this expedition given the potential contact with wildlife.The rabies pre-exposure vaccination consists of three doses over a 28-day period. Please be sure to consultyour physician or travel health clinic well in advance to ensure you have time for the full vaccination series. Ifyou have previously been vaccinated, you must have a medical professional check your antibody levels; abooster shot may be required. Rabies is a fatal disease. Treatment after rabies exposure requires immediatecare (within 24 hours), and this type of rapid response will not be available to volunteers on this project due to

the remote locations. Pre-exposure vaccination does not eliminate the need for post-exposure medicalattention and treatment, but it does provide additional protection against the disease in event of a delay intreatment. In addition, any bites or scratches should be immediately and thoroughly washed with soap andclean water and a topical povidone-iodine solution or ethanol.

Tuberculosis:The WHO estimates that one-third of the worlds population is infected with the bacterium(M.tuberculosis) that causes tuberculosis (TB). Incidence of tuberculosis is higher in developing countries,particularly in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. In general, approximately 10% of personsinfected with M. tuberculosisare at risk for developing active TB during their lifetimes. TB is considered highlytreatable with medications that are of relatively low toxicity and cost. Volunteers returning from developingcountries are encouraged to have a (PPD)-tuberculin skin-test to screen for potential infection.

West Nile Virus:Primarily a disease of birds,West Nile virus(WNV) can infect humans. The most commonroute for a human infection is via mosquitoes. The mosquito feeds on an infected bird or other animal, thenbites a human and introduces the virus into their body. Most people who get WNV develop no symptoms. Ofthe 20 percent who do get ill, most develop mild symptoms 3-14 days after being bitten: fever, head and bodyache, nausea and vomiting. Sometimes the lymph nodes swell or a rash appears on the trunk. In fewer thanone percent of all human cases, the person develops a serious, possibly fatal, infection. Symptoms mayinclude high fever, headache, stiff neck, disorientation, muscle weakness, tremors and paralysis. The brainand membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord may get inflamed, which can cause coma and death.Patients who recover from a serious WNV infection may suffer permanent brain damage. There is no specifictreatment for the disease, or vaccine to protect against it. To avoid infection, prevent mosquito bites in areaswhere the virus circulates. Wear long sleeves and long pants, and use insect repellents.

Tickborne encephalitis:The virus is mainly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tick. Ticks areusually found at the edge of forests and in clearings, long grass and hedges and are more common in thesummer months. Often, the bite goes unnoticed. Infection can also be acquired by consuming unpasteurizeddairy products from infected cows, goats or sheep. About 14 days after the tick bite, the patient suffers fever,

headache, muscle aches, nausea and fatigue. The symptoms usually resolve in a week or so, but up to onethird of patients develop a second, more severe illness. Symptoms may include severe headaches,decreased mental state, convulsions, weakness and/or coma. These symptoms indicate that the virus isaffecting the brain. About one percent of cases are fatal. Fortunately, only one out of 250 people who getinfected with the virus actually becomes ill. To prevent infection, it is important to prevent tick bites, especiallyas most travellers have not been vaccinated. Wear long pants with tight cuffs, and tuck pant legs into socks.Use insect repellent containing DEET. Consider soaking or spraying your clothes with the insecticidepermethrin. (Do not apply permethrin directly to the skin.) After visiting a forest or pasture, search for ticks onyour body and clothing. If a tick is found, remove it gently using tweezers. A safe, effective vaccine isavailable in Canada, Europe and the UK. It is not available in the U.S. The vaccine is given routinely topopulations living in infected areas of Europe and Russia. However, the CDC does not generally recommendits use for travellers. Travellers at high-risk of exposure should consult their travel health practitioners for anindividual recommendation on vaccination.

Lyme Disease:Lyme disease occurs in North America, Europe and Asia. It is transmitted to humans by thebite of a particular species of tick. Lyme disease can cause an expanding rash at the site of the bite, fever,arthritis and nerve problems such as facial palsy. To prevent tick bites: Avoid tick habitats, use insectrepellants, check daily for ticks. Lyme disease vaccination is no longer available. If you develop a rash at thesite of a tick bite or other symptoms of Lyme disease, seek medical attention. A course of antibiotics can cureLyme disease.
http://www.internationalsos.com/countryguide/DnP.aspx?languageid=ENG&content=dnp&dnpid=44http://www.internationalsos.com/countryguide/DnP.aspx?languageid=ENG&content=dnp&dnpid=44http://www.internationalsos.com/countryguide/DnP.aspx?languageid=ENG&content=dnp&dnpid=44http://www.internationalsos.com/countryguide/DnP.aspx?languageid=ENG&content=dnp&dnpid=44


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MEDICAL CONDITIONS OF SPECIAL CONCERN

The following medical conditions or limitations would make participation in this project difficult or impossible:vertigo, anaemia, hypertension, epilepsy, seizures, scarred lung tissue, heart conditions, kidney problems, andconditions that affect balance.

Condition Concerns and Precautions

Hydrophobia,discomfort in oraround boats;

Anyone with hydrophobia, proneness to seasickness, etc. will not be required to participatein the optional boat work. If you suffer from motion or seasickness and intend to treat thiswith either over-the-counter or prescribed medication, please discuss the use and sideeffects with your physician.

Limitedmobility/Poorfitness

A maximum of 5 miles hiking per day is required. Preparation by regular walking before theexpedition start is advisable if this is not a regular activity for volunteers. Volunteers whosuffer neck, back and knee injuries may want to consider another expedition.

Additional Health Information Resources

Travel health website: www.mdtravelhealth.com The Travel Doctor: www.tmvc.com.au Australian Department of Health and Aging:www.health.gov.au Hospital for Tropical Diseases: www.thehtd.org Travellers Healthline Advisory Service Tel: 020 7950 7799 MASTA Travelers Healthline (UK) Tel: 0906 8 224100 (within UK)

EMERGENCIES IN THE FIELD

A vehicle will always be available for emergency transportation while the team is based in Bedrichov village.When working in the field, volunteers will be part of groups of three or four persons. In the case of an emergency,carrying a person to the vehicle might take a maximum of 30 minutes. Then he/she would be transported to ahospital in an additional 20 minutes.

In the event of a personal emergency requiring a volunteer to leave the expedition early, they will be transportedby minibus from the field camp to the bus station of the nearby city Liberec. They will have to go to Prague by bus(about a 1.5-hour ride). Volunteers may leave early ONLY in emergency situations.

Proximity to Medical Care

Physician, nurse, or EMT on staff Project staff are not medical professionals

Staff certified in safety training CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation): Zuzana Horicka

First Aid: Zuzana HorickaNearest hospital and/or clinic The research camp is situated about 20 km/12. 5 mi from hospitals

in Liberec (tel: +420 485-311111) and Jablonec (tel: +420 483-345111).

Transport to a hospital (approximately 20 minutes) would bepossible by the expedition minibus or by the local emergencyservice after the team has gotten the injured person to a road.

Distance 20km/12.5 miles from research camp
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COMMUNICATIONS

Emergency Communications in the Field

Mobile phones can be used in the research area and will be used in the event of an emergency.

The emergency contact number at Earthwatch headquarters in the UK is +44(0)7900 895 752. A duty

officer is available 24/7 to take calls. If you reach voicemail, please leave a message. State that you have anemergency communication and leave a clear message with the name of the expedition, your name, location fromwhich you are calling, and if possible, a phone number where you can be reached. An Earthwatch staff person willrespond to your call within one hour.You may also call Earthwatch in the US +1 978 461-0081. After businesshours, a live answering service will answer and contact an Earthwatch staff person.

Personal Communications

For urgent communications, volunteers can be reached in the field by telephone, or via the Earthwatch Scientistsemail addresses (see below). From any place in the Czech Republic, a United States operator can be reached(tel: 00420-00-101), as well as operators of other countries. This service is free. There is mobile phone receptionin and around Prague; contact your service provider regarding rates.

Family and friends of Earthwatch volunteers should be aware that personal communication with outsiders is notalways possible while participating in an expedition. Earthwatch encourages volunteers to minimize outgoingcalls; likewise, family and friends should restrict calls to urgent messages only. Measures have been taken toensure that appropriate communication tools are available in cases of emergency.

All volunteers are asked to remember that Earthwatch expeditions offer a rare chance to unplug from hearingringing phones and having to hear others phone conversations, and to regulate their cell-phone with respect forfellow volunteers and staff.

Contact Information

In the event of an emergency, the Earthwatch scientist can be reached at a number that is provided in the printedversion of the Expedition Briefing given to volunteers. Please contact your Earthwatch office.


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TRAVEL PLANNINGNote: Earthwatch Institutes international emergency medical and evacuation assistance provider, InternationalSOS, has a wealth of useful information available at their website, including visa, passport, currency, medical, etc.information for the country in which this project takes place. Seewww.internationalsos.comand enterEarthwatchs member identification number: 14ACPA000075. Under Select Resource choose English CountryGuide, and then select this projects country from the list.

You are encouraged to register your travel itinerary with your embassy. For information on embassies around theworld seewww.embassyworld.com

Citizens of Australia may register online at:www.orao.dfat.gov.au.

British citizens may register online at:www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/staying-safe. Citizens of the United States may register online at:travelregistration.state.gov. Citizens of other countries are encouraged to check with their appropriate embassy or consulate

regarding registration.

RENDEZVOUS

The rendezvous information for this project has been removed from this web version of the Expedition Briefing.Please do not make any travel arrangements to join an expedition on this project without having full and up-to-date rendezvous information from Earthwatch. Full rendezvous details including places and times are availablefrom Earthwatch upon request prior to registration for an expedition. Please use the Contact Us button on the topright hand corner of our website to get in touch with us and we will be very happy to help you. This information isprovided in the printed version of this Expedition Briefing.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS

Passport InformationMost volunteers traveling from outside the hostcountry will require a passport valid for at least sixmonths beyond the dates of travel.

Visa InformationMost European Union, Canadian, USA, Australianand New Zealand citizens do not require a visa forstays in the Czech Republic of up to 90 days. Citizensof other countries should check with a travel or visaagency for specific visa and entry requirements.

Travelers are advised to check visa regulations wellin advance of traveling.

Essential Information for Volunteers Requiring Visas

Type of Visa You must get a TOURIST VISA.Where to Geta Visa

Contact the nearest Czech Republicembassy or consulate to find out how to apply for yourvisa. Please note that this process can take weeks or more. We strongly recommend using avisa agency, which can both expedite and simplify the process. See below for a list of visaagencies.

RequiredInformation

You will need to send yourpassport (valid for at least six months beyond your stay),a VisaApplication and Immigration Form, 2-4 passport-size photos plus payment to theembassy or visa agency (if applicable). Please be sure that your passport is valid for at leastsix months beyond your stay.
http://www.internationalsos.com/http://www.internationalsos.com/http://www.internationalsos.com/http://www.embassyworld.com/http://www.embassyworld.com/https://www.orao.dfat.gov.au/orao/weborao.nsf/homepage?Openpagehttps://www.orao.dfat.gov.au/orao/weborao.nsf/homepage?Openpagehttps://www.orao.dfat.gov.au/orao/weborao.nsf/homepage?Openpagehttp://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/staying-safe/Locate/http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/staying-safe/Locate/http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/staying-safe/Locate/https://travelregistration.state.gov/https://travelregistration.state.gov/https://travelregistration.state.gov/https://travelregistration.state.gov/http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/staying-safe/Locate/https://www.orao.dfat.gov.au/orao/weborao.nsf/homepage?Openpagehttp://www.embassyworld.com/http://www.internationalsos.com/


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ContactInformation

You may be required to list the following contact information on your Visa Application andImmigration Form:

Dr. Josef KrecekCzech Technical University at PragueCzech Republic

Cost of aVisa

Generally between US$40-100, but varies from country to country and can potentially cost upto US$180. A visa agency will charge an additional fee.

Reminder: The purpose of your visit is for vacation, holiday or travel. Foreign immigration officials do not alwaysunderstand the concept of a working vacation or even volunteering. Words such as working/volunteering,research or a scientific expedition can raise questions concerning the countrys foreign labor laws and/orprompt questions about official scientific research permits and credentials, etc., to which volunteers on their ownwill not be equipped to respond. All required research permits for the project are in place and have been approvedby the proper authorities.

Visa Agencies

In the United States In Europe In Australia

Travisa*

290 5th Avenue, 4th FloorNew York, NY 10001Tel (212) 613-2223Fax (212) 613-2287Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ESTWeb:www.travisa.com

(*See the website for additionaloffices)

CIBT, Inc.-UK

25 Wilton RoadLower Ground FloorVictoria SW1V 1LWT: 0844 736 0211Fax: +44 (0) 207 828 5411Calling from Europe outside UK:+44 (0)207 802 1000Email:[email protected]:www.uk.cibt.com (hasalternate address for urgentrequests)

Ask your travel agency if they

can send your visa applicationon your behalf.

Additional Passport and Visa Resources

For Japanese citizens: www.rainbowt.jp/travel/visa_top.html For Australian citizens: www.passports.gov.auandwww.dfat.gov.au/visas/index.html For for US citizens: www.passportvisasexpress.com Travel Document Systems: www.traveldocs.com/index.htm

Volunteers Under 18 Years of Age

Entry to Foreign Countries

It may be possible for 16- and 17-year-olds to participate on standard Earthwatch teams ifaccompanied by aparent or guardian. However, in an effort to prevent international child abduction many governments have initiatedprocedures at entry/exit points to protect minors. Thus, if a minor will be traveling with only one guardian or if forany reason they will be traveling alone (such as for a Teen Team), it may be necessary to have a notarized letterfrom all legal guardians stipulating that they may travel unaccompanied or in the presence of a single guardian.This letter must give an explanation for why only one parent or someone other than a parent is signing the letter.For example, if one parent is deceased, only one parent has legal guardianship, or someone other than theparents are legal guardians, the letter should state that.

Airline Documentation Requirements

Airlines may also have documentation requirements for unaccompanied minors. Parents of minors areresponsible for checking with each airline that their child will be flying to ensure that sufficient documentation isprovided. This could include a copy of a birth certificate or a notarized letter stating that the minor has his or herparents permission to travel alone or with only one parent.
http://www.travisa.com/http://www.travisa.com/http://www.travisa.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.uk.cibt.com/http://www.uk.cibt.com/http://www.uk.cibt.com/http://www.rainbowt.jp/travel/visa_top.htmlhttp://www.rainbowt.jp/travel/visa_top.htmlhttps://www.passports.gov.au/https://www.passports.gov.au/http://www.dfat.gov.au/visas/index.htmlhttp://www.dfat.gov.au/visas/index.htmlhttp://www.dfat.gov.au/visas/index.htmlhttp://www.passportvisasexpress.com/http://www.passportvisasexpress.com/http://www.traveldocs.com/index.htmhttp://www.traveldocs.com/index.htmhttp://www.traveldocs.com/index.htmhttp://www.passportvisasexpress.com/http://www.dfat.gov.au/visas/index.htmlhttps://www.passports.gov.au/http://www.rainbowt.jp/travel/visa_top.htmlhttp://www.uk.cibt.com/mailto:[email protected]://www.travisa.com/


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Important Note: Requirements by specific countries and airlines vary and change frequently. You MUST keepinformed of the requirements on your own to avoid problems at immigration. If a letter is not available, thevolunteer under 18 can be refused entry into the country or on a flight. There is nothing Earthwatch Institute cando to help in this circumstance.

INSURANCE

MedEvac assistance, advice, and insurance are included in the contribution you pay to Earthwatch. It covers yourtravel medical risks, including medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation, while you are travelling andit provides trip cancellation insurance (seewww.earthwatch.org/downloads/Insurance/post15Jan_TravelFAQs.pdffor more details), baggage and personal money insurance. It doesnt provide personal liability insurance. Thiscoverage is valid in the country of your Earthwatch expedition ( Note: For US volunteers, as long as the expeditionis over 100 miles from your place of residence) and during travel to and from your expedition. Please seethe FAQfor information about when coverage starts and ends.

If you have additional vacation time before and/or after your Earthwatch Expedition that forms part of your overalltime away from your place of residence, this additional vacation time is not covered under this policy. If you are inany doubt as to whether your travel plans before and/or after your Earthwatch expedition constitute additionalvacation time please contact Michelle Ralph at Sutton Winson [email protected].

This insurance policy is secondary to your existing health insurance policy (e.g. the NHS in the UK).

For Volunteers Who Sign Up Through the Earthwatch UK/Europe Office or Earthwatch Japan

Details of this insurance policy are included in your Expedition Briefing Pack and can be found atwww.earthwatch.org/europe/expeditions/insuranceinfo. Please refer all queries regarding this policy to MichelleRalph at Sutton Winson in the UK. You can email her on [email protected] call her on +44 (0)1444251164 (fax: +44 (0) 1444 251250).

Information about additional insurance available to UK residents for coverage before or after your Earthwatchproject can be found atwww.earthwatch.org/europe/insuranceinfo. Should you have any questions about whetheryou require coverage for your travel plansplease contact Michelle Ralph at Sutton Winson. Earthwatch is not

authorized by the FSA to give advice on insurance.

For Volunteers Who Sign Up Through the Earthwatch US Office

Details of the US insurance policy, can be found at www.earthwatch.org/expedition/insurance. Please refer anyqueries regarding this policy to Michelle Ralph at Sutton Winson in the UK,[email protected]. Or, fromthe US, dial 011-44-1444-251164 (fax: 011-44-1444-251250). Please note the time difference between the USand the UK, and call during UK business hours, which are from 08:45 to 17:00 GMT (from November to April) andGMT +1 (from April to November). You may also leave a message and request that she call you back. Informationabout additional insurance can be found onwww.earthwatch.org/expedition/gear_flights_more .

Emergency Medical and Evacuation Assistance (For All Volunteers)

Emergency medical and evacuation assistance is available for all Earthwatch participants from International SOS(ISOS), a 24-hour, independently-operated international emergency medical and evacuation service. Please seethe contact information on the General Informationpage. Participants should carry the card with them on theexpedition.
http://www.earthwatch.org/downloads/Insurance/post15Jan_TravelFAQs.pdfhttp://www.earthwatch.org/downloads/Insurance/post15Jan_TravelFAQs.pdfhttp://www.earthwatch.org/downloads/Insurance/post15Jan_TravelFAQs.pdfhttp://www.earthwatch.org/downloads/Insurance/post15Jan_TravelFAQs.pdfhttp://www.earthwatch.org/downloads/Insurance/post15Jan_TravelFAQs.pdfhttp://www.earthwatch.org/downloads/Insurance/post15Jan_TravelFAQs.pdfmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://earthwatch.org/europe/expedition/insuranceinfohttp://earthwatch.org/europe/expedition/insuranceinfomailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.earthwatch.org/europe/insuranceinfo/http://www.earthwatch.org/europe/insuranceinfo/http://www.earthwatch.org/europe/insuranceinfo/http://www.earthwatch.org/expedition/insurance/http://www.earthwatch.org/expedition/insurance/http://www.earthwatch.org/expedition/insurance/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.earthwatch.org/expedition/gear_flights_more/http://www.earthwatch.org/expedition/gear_flights_more/http://www.earthwatch.org/expedition/gear_flights_more/http://www.earthwatch.org/expedition/gear_flights_more/mailto:[email protected]://www.earthwatch.org/expedition/insurance/http://www.earthwatch.org/europe/insuranceinfo/mailto:[email protected]://earthwatch.org/europe/expedition/insuranceinfomailto:[email protected]://www.earthwatch.org/downloads/Insurance/post15Jan_TravelFAQs.pdfhttp://www.earthwatch.org/downloads/Insurance/post15Jan_TravelFAQs.pdf


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PACKING CONSIDERATIONSPLEASE SEE THE PACKING CHECKLIST AT THE BACK OF THIS EXPEDITION BRIEFING

General Considerations You should bring comfortable, waterproof hiking boots that protect the ankle, a rain coat, and warm and

waterproof clothing. Visits to a concert or an opera in Prague or Liberec and to a medieval castle in NorthBohemia are planned (at the volunteers own expense), so you may wish to bring along a nicer set of clothing

as well. In the field camp, informal round-table talks and discussions will be organized in the evenings, andstaff encourage all volunteers to bring materials (e.g. photos or slides) to make presentations on theirprofessional, traveling, or Earthwatch experiences.

Do not bring more luggage than you can carry and handle on your own.

If traveling by air and checking your luggage, you are advised to pack an extra set of field clothing andpersonal essentials in your carry-on bag in case your luggage is lost and/or takes several days to catch upwith you.

Many airlines have strict baggage policies. Please check with your airline(s) on baggage weight limits, liquidrestrictions, fees for checked baggage, etc.

Weather Considerations

Please take weather conditions into consideration when packing for your expedition. Climate information can befound in the Project Conditionssection. The weather during each expedition will be similar, though it will alwaysbe unpredictable and may change from windy and rainy to hot and sunny without notice. Be prepared to dress inlayers that can be adjusted to the conditions.

Essential ItemsMake sure to bring your Earthwatch Expedition Briefing with you! It includes essential information to whichyou may need to refer during your expedition, as well as during your journey to and from the project site.

Gear ShopsUS volunteers may choose to visit the Earthwatch gear shop, New Headings,a fun, easy-to-use, "one-stop-shop"that answers the "What to Pack" needs for your upcoming Earthwatch expedition. New Headings offer a broadrange of outdoor equipment and travel gear including a selection of Earthwatch embroidered apparel.

Our recommended clothing and kit provider in the UK isNomad Travel. A full list of clothing and kit is available toorder online and they also havestores in the UKmany of which havetravel clinicswhere you can get healthadvice and vaccinations. Earthwatch volunteers benefit from a 10% discount on all clothing and health services sobe sure to contact us for a special code before you buy anything from them online or visit their stores and clinics.

ADDITIONAL TRAVEL INFORMATION Local currency:Czech crown. See the International SOS website andwww.xe.com/uccfor currency

information and exchange rates.

Language:The official language is Czech. German and English are also spoken. You will have ampleopportunity to interact with local people who speak Czech. Past volunteers stated that they wished they had

used a Czech language home-study (on tape or CD) prior to their arrival to learn pronunciation of basicwords. The following are some helpful phrases:

Hi/Bye -----------------Ahoj!How are you? ---------Jak se mte?I am cold ---------------Je mi zimaI am hungry -----------Mm hladHelp! --------------------Pomoc!Please -------------------ProsimBeer ----------------------PivoThank you -------------Dekuji
http://earthwatch.newheadings.com/http://earthwatch.newheadings.com/http://earthwatch.newheadings.com/http://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/earthwatchhttp://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/earthwatchhttp://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/earthwatchhttp://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/pages/storeshttp://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/pages/storeshttp://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/pages/storeshttp://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/pages/nomad-travel-clinicshttp://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/pages/nomad-travel-clinicshttp://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/pages/nomad-travel-clinicshttp://www.xe.com/ucchttp://www.xe.com/ucchttp://www.xe.com/ucchttp://www.xe.com/ucchttp://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/pages/nomad-travel-clinicshttp://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/pages/storeshttp://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/earthwatchhttp://earthwatch.newheadings.com/


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Electricity: 230 volts, 50 Hz,round-pin plug and receptacle with grounding pin When For additionalinformation seekropla.com/electric2.htm

Time zone:UTC/GMT +1 hour (Central European Time) For time worldwide with GMT/UTC see:www.worldtimeserver.com

Personal funds:Volunteers should bring approximately CZK3,000 for snacks, additional activities, etc.Generally a 5-10% tip is expected for service. Currency can be exchanged at all bank branches, but is best ifdone in Prague or the airport prior to going to the field site. There are no exchange facilities near the field site,but the team will periodically visit the local cities of Liberec and Jablonec which may provide exchangeopportunities. Credit cards are not widely accepted at small businesses or around the field site, but areaccepted at most major hotels in Prague.

Checking luggage:Please note that if you will be taking an international flight that has one or moreconnections within the country of your destination, it will be necessary to collect any checked bags at theairport where you first arrive in the destination country. After proceeding through Customs, you will have torecheck your luggage before flying on to your final destination.

Telephone Dialing codes:calling the Czech Republic from another country, dial the countrys internationaldialing code, followed by (420) and the number. When calling within the Czech Republic, omit the (420).When calling another country from the Czech Republic, dial (00), followed by the other countrys country codeand the number. PLEASE NOTE: you should check with your cell phone provider to obtain any carrier-specific dialing codes you may need; many providers have dialing procedures that may differ in whole or inpart from these directions. For additional information see kropla.com/dialcode.htm

Country Information

Prague Tourist Information & Travel Guide.:www.pragueexperience.com/ Prague public transport information:www.dpp.cz/eny Map of Prague:www.mapy.cz/

UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office:www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo Country information from around the world: www.countryreports.org National Geographic Map Machine:plasma.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachine US State Department: www.state.gov Online unit conversions: www.onlineconversion.com Worldwide weather: www.wunderground.comorwww.tutiempo.net/en ATM locator: visa.via.infonow.net/locator/global/jsp/SearchPage.jspor

www.mastercard.com/atmlocator/index.jsp
http://kropla.com/electric2.htmhttp://kropla.com/electric2.htmhttp://kropla.com/electric2.htmhttp://www.worldtimeserver.com/http://www.worldtimeserver.com/http://kropla.com/dialcode.htmhttp://kropla.com/dialcode.htmhttp://www.pragueexperience.com/http://www.pragueexperience.com/http://www.pragueexperience.com/http://www.dpp.cz/enhttp://www.dpp.cz/enhttp://www.dpp.cz/enhttp://www.mapy.cz/http://www.mapy.cz/http://www.mapy.cz/http://www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougohttp://www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougohttp://www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougohttp://www.countryreports.org/http://www.countryreports.org/http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachinehttp://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachinehttp://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachinehttp://www.state.gov/http://www.state.gov/http://www.onlineconversion.com/http://www.onlineconversion.com/http://www.wunderground.com/http://www.wunderground.com/http://www.tutiempo.net/en/http://www.tutiempo.net/en/http://www.tutiempo.net/en/http://visaatm.infonow.net/bin/findNow?CLIENT_ID=VISAhttp://visaatm.infonow.net/bin/findNow?CLIENT_ID=VISAhttp://www.mastercard.com/atmlocator/index.jsphttp://www.mastercard.com/atmlocator/index.jsphttp://www.mastercard.com/atmlocator/index.jsphttp://visaatm.infonow.net/bin/findNow?CLIENT_ID=VISAhttp://www.tutiempo.net/en/http://www.wunderground.com/http://www.onlineconversion.com/http://www.state.gov/http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachinehttp://www.countryreports.org/http://www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougohttp://www.mapy.cz/http://www.dpp.cz/enhttp://www.pragueexperience.com/http://kropla.com/dialcode.htmhttp://www.worldtimeserver.com/http://kropla.com/electric2.htm


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RECOMMENDED READING

Below are additional recommended materials for those interested in further preparing for the expedition. Manycan be purchased online through popular vendors. See the Helpful Resources section for suggested vendorwebsites.

Scientific Media

Brocksen, R.W. and J. Wisniewski (eds). 1988. Restoration of aquatic and terrestrial systems. KluwerAcademic Publishers, Dordrecht. 501 pp.

Cooper, N.S. and R.L.J. Carling (eds). 1996. Ecologists and ethical judgments. Chapman & Hall, London. 165pp.

Dobson, A.P. 1995. Conservation and biodiversity. Scientific American Library, NY. 264 pp.

Elsom, D. 1989. Atmospheric pollution. Basil Blackwell Ltd., Oxford. 322 pp.

Krecek, J. and M.J. Haigh (eds). 2006. Environmental role of wetlands in headwaters. NATO Science Series63, Springer, Dordrecht, 364 pp.

Krecek, J. and Z. Horicka. 2006. Forests, air pollution and water quality: influencing health in the headwatersof Central Europes Black Triangle. Unasylva, 224: 46-49.

Likens, G.E. (ed.). 1989. Long-term studies in ecology: approaches and alternatives. Springer-Verlag, NewYork. 836 pp.

McCormick, J. 1991. Reclaiming paradise. Indiana University Press, Bloomington and Indianapolis. 259 pp.

Outwater, A.B. 1996. Water: a natural history. BasicBooks, New York. 212 p.

Williams, M. 2003. Deforesting the Earth. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago. 689 pp.

Project Field ReportEach Earthwatch Institute-supported project submits a report on the past years research and results toEarthwatch, generally on an annual basis. The most recent field report for this project is available online through

www.earthwatch.org/FieldReportPDF/Krecek_FieldReport2009.pdf.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Additional resources can be found on our Gear, Flights and More pages:For volunteers who sign up through our US office:earthwatch.org/expedition/gearFor volunteers who sign up through our UK office:earthwatch.org/europe/expeditions/gear

Travel Booksellers

We encourage you to buy a guide book to your chosen destination as well as any other books that may be ofinterest. One excellent resource is theTravel Bookshop

Think ofLongitude Booksas a bookstore organized geographically! Here youll find travel guides, maps, fieldguides, accounts of exploration, travel narratives, books on culture, art and archaeology, in addition to academicbooks on anything from the tropical rainforest to the polar ice cap.

Stanfords(www.stanfords.co.uk) is also the best map and travel literature supplier in the UK and has a globalreputation.
http://www.earthwatch.org/FieldReportPDF/Krecek_FieldReport2009.pdfhttp://www.earthwatch.org/FieldReportPDF/Krecek_FieldReport2009.pdfhttp://www.earthwatch.org/expedition/gearhttp://www.earthwatch.org/expedition/gearhttp://www.earthwatch.org/expedition/gearhttp://www.earthwatch.org/europe/expeditions/gearhttp://www.earthwatch.org/europe/expeditions/gearhttp://www.earthwatch.org/europe/expeditions/gearhttp://www.thetravelbookshop.com/http://www.thetravelbookshop.com/http://www.thetravelbookshop.com/http://www.longitudebooks.com/http://www.longitudebooks.com/http://www.longitudebooks.com/http://www.stanfords.co.uk/http://www.stanfords.co.uk/http://www.stanfords.co.uk/http://www.longitudebooks.com/http://www.thetravelbookshop.com/http://www.earthwatch.org/europe/expeditions/gearhttp://www.earthwatch.org/expedition/gearhttp://www.earthwatch.org/FieldReportPDF/Krecek_FieldReport2009.pdf


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Travel Agencies and Advice

Earthwatch has an official partnership with Fly for Good and strongly recommends volunteers use their servicesto book airfare for Expeditions and take advantage of Fly for Goods humanitarian discount rates on severalinternational airlines and routes.

Before you can access Fly for Goods discounted rates you must set up a profile. Go to Sign inand enter yourinformation. When asked to enter an Approval code, enter: EW360. List Earthwatch Institute as your affiliatednon-profit. At this point your account will be approved and you will be sent an e-mail confirmation.

Fly for Good:www.flyforgood.com511 East Travelers TrailBurnsville, MN 55337 USATel: +1 877.359.4466 (877.FLY.4.GOOD)

Earthwatch volunteers have 24-7 access to Fly For Good staff in the event that flight issues cannot be resolvedwith your airline by calling +1952-220-8465 or+1 877 499 5592.

WEXAS are the UKs tailor-made travel experts. An assigned WEXAS consultant, with significant experience ofEarthwatch and our programmes, is on hand to provide you with travel advice and support. Call them on: 0044(0)20 7838 5858 or email:[email protected]

WEXAS is normally a members-only travel agent. However, as an Earthwatch volunteer you benefit from ourWEXAS membership, so be sure to tell them you are an Earthwatch volunteerfor full access to WEXAS bestrates.

Wexas International (Europe): www.wexas.comTel: +44 (0) 20 7581 8761Fax: +44 (0) 20 7581 7679Email: [email protected] code: EWE01/02

Earthwatch is a partner with Travelocity in their Travel For Good/Change Ambassadors Grant Program,which allows would-be volunteers to apply for funding that can be used to cover the costs of an Earthwatchexpedition and its associated travel costs. Visitwww.travelocity.com/TravelForGoodfor more details.

Travelocity:www.travelocity.com Australian volunteers may apply here:www.zuji.com.au/3150 Sabre Dr.Southlake, TX 76092E-mail:[email protected]
http://flyforgood.techtrav.com/register.phphttp://flyforgood.techtrav.com/register.phphttp://flyforgood.techtrav.com/register.phphttp://www.flyforgood.com/http://www.flyforgood.com/http://www.flyforgood.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.wexas.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.travelocity.com/TravelForGood/index.htmlhttp://www.travelocity.com/TravelForGood/index.htmlhttp://www.travelocity.com/TravelForGood/index.htmlhttp://www.travelocity.com/http://www.travelocity.com/http://www.travelocity.com/http://www.zuji.com.au/http://www.zuji.com.au/mailto:[email protected]?subject=General%20Questionsmailto:[email protected]?subject=General%20Questionsmailto:[email protected]?subject=General%20Questionsmailto:[email protected]?subject=General%20Questionshttp://www.zuji.com.au/http://www.travelocity.com/http://www.travelocity.com/TravelForGood/index.htmlmailto:[email protected]://www.wexas.com/mailto:[email protected]://www.flyforgood

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Krecek Briefing

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