Orchids, probably the most diverse
group of plants of the plant kingdom, are surprisingly of very
recent appearance (15 million years ago in the European continent).
They have reached the highest complexity in their floral nature and
co-evolution with pollinators. The modification of the flower parts
has led to an attraction of the pollinators by visual, tactile or
even scent mimesis from a specific group of insects or even a
specific species of insects. That led externally to beautiful shapes
and very complex ecological patterns.
Orchid populations in the Spanish
Mediterranean coast have a high diversity of species due to the
sharp variation of habitats in a relatively small geographical area.
Many different environments can be found from sea level up to more
than 1000 m of altitude.
In the Marina Region, in the Alicante
province (Region of Valencia, Spain) there are about 30 species of
orchids. One of them is endemic, and most of them live in endangered
areas due to the increasing urban development.
In recent decades, the dramatic
changes in land use have had an impact on the populations of orchids.
However, the specific impact, whether a positive or a negative one,
is yet to be examined thoroughly.
Ecocultouring.com is relaunching this project aimed at monitoring the
evolution of the orchid populations and we would like you to join us in
this project. Formerly it had been organized by IDENTIA Institute and now it is been included into the Ecocultouring.com volunteering programmes.
Purpose of the
expedition
We will be searching for orchid
populations in several places, counting and measuring them, taking
photographs, and searching for pollinators.
We will visit specific “hot spots” where several species live together and, also, we will walk in slopes, hills and different areas looking for information which will be later entered in a database.
Check the former expeditions report!
Volunteers should remember at all times that uprooting, cutting, or collecting specimens is not allowed !
Destination
We will visit several typically Mediterranean mountains and valleys
in the countryside, from the coastline towards the inland. We will
observe many different plant landscapes. Littoral garrigues,
thickets, abandoned farming terraces, rocky slopes, and mountain
tops will be our typical field-work environments.
Mountain ranges (known as sierras), many of which are over 1200
meters, deep valleys and coastlines with breathtaking cliffs make up
the dramatic scenery of the Marina Region where this exciting
expedition will take place.
Who can join
us? Volunteers and students
No experience or formal qualifications are
necessary for this expedition. You will work as part of a team with
people from all over of the world who have something in common: a
passion for orchids and a commitment to do something in order to
protect and learn about our orchids.
If you are an expert scientist or orchidiologist,
maybe you can teach us about different orchid-related aspects.
If you are a student, this expedition is a good
opportunity for a field trip as well as to learn more about this special group of
plants. Groups of students interested in accomplishing their field trips are especially welcome.
If you are passionate about orchids, here is a
chance to see them with your own eyes, take pictures and get the
data you want.
If you are a nature photographer, this is a good
opportunity to take new photographs not only of orchids, but also of
many others plants which will be blossoming at the time the
expedition will take place.
If you are an enthusiastic traveller, here is
the chance to enjoy a special area of the Ibero-Mediterranean
region.
Check the testimonials of past volunteers!
Duration
and dates
Period for organising field trips for groups:
from April the 15th to May the 30th, 2017
General volunteering weeks:
17th - 23rd April 2017
24th - 30th April 2017
1st - 7th May 2017
8th-14th May 2017
The expedition will last from minimum 7 days up to four weeks, depending on your choice. Most volunteers choose a two weeks period. The first and
the last day of each week are scheduled for possible arrivals and departures respectively.
We are flexible for other durations according to group needs.
Meeting point
In the arrival day
the meeting point will be the Alicante International Airport (Spain). We will be waiting for you when you arrive.
Languages
English will be the official language of the
expedition. The leaders are Spanish but know English and other other languages.
Meals &
accommodation
Accommodation will be in a familiar house or hotel in the area. It will not be a luxury hotel, rather a comfortable and full equipped house or hotel.
The rooms will be shared with other volunteers and will include hot showers. Volunteers will have time to relax and enjoy varied healthy meals.
Number
of participants
No more than 12 volunteers will be accepted
per field work team. For more people coming at the same time we will split the group in small field work teams up to 12 people, since bigger teams there would be a risk of stepping on the
orchid populations which we will be visiting.
Groups
If you are a group of more than 4 people, we can
arrange particular dates that are convenient for you. Just send us
an e-mail at: volunteering@ecocultouring.com
Even though the main aim of this volunteering
project is to monitor orchid populations in the Marina Region, we
are open to suggestions from groups with particular interests,
groups such as university students, researchers, clubs, or others.
We could strike a balance between our interests and your group's
interests and thus organize a special expedition.
Financial contribution:
1250 € one week /
2250 € two weeks / 3450 € three weeks / 4600 € four weeks
It includes:
- Transport to and from the Alicante Airport
- Accommodation
- Expedition trips and outings (transport to and from the research area, documentation, all materials)
- Research, co-operation and guiding team
- Cultural and touristical support for free time
- 24 h assistence and cover
- Local insurance
- Certificate of Attendance (40 hours field work at our volunteer project)
Where your money goes
Each of the volunteers that signs-up for this
expedition not only contributes essential funds that help to cover
the research costs, but also through their inspiration and effort
provides the manpower without which our project simply couldn’t be
carried out.
Your contribution covers:
-
The cost of the field research, including field
equipment
-
Food, accommodation and transport on the project
-
On-site training and orientation in the field
- Processing data and publishing results after the expeditions
Check the former expeditions report!
Leaders & Organizers. Who will be guiding the expedition?
Volunteers will be guided and assisted by members od our team: The founders are Toni Barber and Nico Moity, with a huge experience in environment and guiding groups; Both are biologists, researchers, and very knowledgeable about the expedition territory. The other leaders are Tere Bou and Sergio Girona both also with lot of experience in environmental works and groups. Nowadays, we all are the organizers of this volunteering project that is promoted by Ecocultouring.com.
Toni Barber00000000000000000 Nico Moity00000000000000000 Tere Bou00000000000000000000 Sergio Girona
About the area
The Marina Region is a very mountainous territory. It is located in
the ancient Iberian Eastern Contestania. Presently it belongs to the
north of the Alicante province, in the Region of Valencia, Spain.
The Marina Region is divided in the Marina Alta and the Marina Baixa
subregions (Upper Marina & Lower Marina). These were historical
districts within the Christian Kingdom of Valencia after the end of
the Muslim domination. They conform an East-to-West chain of
mountains and valleys with a huge biodiversity and amazing
landscapes.
PHOTOS 
MAPS
Tentative Program
The tentative weekly agenda is as follows, but the specific one will be set and delivered to you before starting the expedition.
| Day 1 |
Meeting at the
Alicante International Airport and transportation to the hotel. First introduction briefing. |
| Day 2 |
Field work monitoring
orchid populations in littoral mountains. |
| Day 3 |
Field work looking
for new records in inland mountains |
| Day 4 |
Field work looking
for new records in littoral areas. Free time after lunch. Optional cultural activities. |
| Day 5 |
Field work monitoring
orchid populations in high inland mountains |
| Day 6 |
Free time. Optional cultural and leisure activities will be available. Time for touristic visits, shopping, wrap-up dinner, resting, sports, etc.
|
| Day 7 |
Departures day for those who have to leave.
Transportation to the International Airport of Alicante.
For the other volunteers there will be a Biogeographic & Cultural one-day excursion
|
A final and more detailed
program will be sent to the volunteers later on. The final programme
could change depending on the flowering periods and the number of
participants.
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Information and Reservations
Registration is open
until March the 15th 2017
If you are interested in this expedition, please reserve a spot for you as soon
as possible. See you soon!
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© Orchid Spain, Ecocultouring.com
Purpose
of the Expedition
