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Sea Turtle Behavior & Conservation

Working Intinerary

Trip Dates: May 13-23, 2008
Colleagues: University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez
Dr. Maria del Carmen Librán (Horticulture)
Dr. J. Danilo Chinea (Biology)
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Leopoldo Miranda Castro

Activities:
Data collection in shade coffee plantation (Hacienda Verde)
Commercial coffee production (drying, roasting, marketing)
Commercial tropical fruit production
Commercial vegetable production
Commercial nursery and floriculture production
Mangrove restoration
Endangered species protection and habitat conservation
Experiencing the cloud forests of El Yunque and the dry forests of Guaníca
Kayaking through mangrove habitats
Bioluminescence
Snorkeling (Desecheo Island)
Taino and pre-Taino cultural sites (Caguana and Tibes)
Historic sites and museums of Ponce and San Juan
Río Camuy Cave Park
Arecibo Observatory

Itinerary:

Tuesday, May 13
Today we travel to San Juan, PR. Departure is from O’Hare airport at 8:00 a.m. on American Airlines Flight #2057, arriving in San Juan at 1:35 p.m.. We’ll transfer to Charlie’s rental cars (confirmation # xxxx) for the 3 hr. drive to Mayagüez. Who will be the navigator?
In Mayagüez we have two rooms reserved at the Howard Johnson’s Hotel located on the Plaza Central (confirmation # xxxx). One room reputedly sleeps 5, the other 2. Guess who gets which room? The historic Spanish-style city layout is quite evident: a large park anchored at one end by a cathedral and at the opposite end is a government building. Our building is a former convent. Continental breakfast is available, but for those needing more (or something different), a La Ricomini panaderia nearby.


Wednesday, May 14
Overnight - Howard Johnson’s Mayagüez.


Thursday, May 15
Overnight - Howard Johnson’s Mayagüez.


Friday, May 16
Overnight - Howard Johnson’s Mayagüez.


NOTE: My faculty colleagues are making arrangements for the first 3 days of activities. Expect horticultural production systems to be emphasized. I am guessing May 14 will be devoted to commercial coffee productions and a visit to one of the University’s Agricultural Field Stations. Then a trip to production fields near Ponce is likely for May 16th. There is an excellent chance of combining beach, hiking, or cultural activity during this period as well. Mangrove restoration near Cabo Rojo and the dry forest at Guanica are the priorities. Guanica is where Columbus landed in 1493.


Saturday, May 17
This promises to be quite a day! First we will check out of our hotel in the early morning.
Then we’re off to Rincón –– we need to be at the dock location for Taino Divers by 7:30 a.m. Once there we will visit with Dennis (our guide) who will review safety instructions and then into his boat for the journey to Desecheo Island for a few hours of snorkeling. I expect him to provide a sandwich or two. We’ll return to the dock by about 2 p.m.
Now the 2nd part of the fun day begins. After snorkeling, we’re off to the mountains near Utuado, probably a 2 hr. drive. Before arriving at the Hacienda Verde, we need to stop at a grocery store for three days of body fuel and libation. Hacienda Verde is a privately owned shade-coffee plantation and nature area. Luis Miguel will provide housing and a place to cook during our three-day stay.

Sunday, May 18
A day to be flexible. We’ll visit Arecibo Radio Observatory today, probably in the morning. I’d also like to visit the Camúy Caverns, but Danía and my colleague Maria thought it might be closed because of a recent accidental death. Admission to the caverns is regulated; the last time I was there, all of the day’s tickets had been sold before noon.
Visiting the shade coffee area and measuring canopy trees is a priority while at the Hacienda Verde. We may accomplish this task today or perhaps mañana! Hiking the trails of Hacienda Verde is also on the schedule.
Overnight – Hacienda Verde

Monday, May 19
Today should be busy. On the way to Ponce, the second largest city in Puerto Rico, I’d like to fill the day with visits to 2 indigenous cultural centers (Caguana Ceremonial Park near Utuado and Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Park near Ponce). Located on the island’s southern coast, Ponce (La Ciudad de los Leones) was founded in 1692 by Juan Ponce de León's great-grandson. Visiting the old fire station is a photo opportunity few miss. Parque de Bombas was originally built in 1882 for an exposition and from 1883 to 1989 it served as headquarters of the Ponce Fire Corps. In 1990, the firehouse was reopened as a museum, there are exhibits on the second floor, and the municipal band plays a free concert every Sunday night. Ooops, just missed it! Other interesting buildings around the plaza include Casa Alcaldía (city hall), the oldest colonial building in the city, dating to the 1840s. Nearby sits Casa Armstrong-Poventud a magnificent example of the neoclassical architectural heritage of the island.
Depending on the time available, there may be an opportunity to visit La Guancha, south of Ponce or perhaps even venture to a nearby public beach. Alternatively we can head for Rio Abajo, a mountain park with unbelievable bamboo.
Overnight – Hacienda Verde

Tuesday, May 20
Depart from Hacienda Verde for an exploration of the eastern portion of Puerto Rico.
On our journey toward San Juan, I hope to visit US Fish & Wildlife Service habitat restoration projects occurring on private lands. I’ve contacted one of their biologists, but don’t have a commitment yet.
Our hotel for the remainder of our time in Puerto Rico is in Old San Juan. These accommodations are Spartan – rooms are very expensive in this part of Puerto Rico! Currently we are seeking reservations at the Hotel Milano (877-729-9050), located at 307 Fortaleza St., which is in the heart of the historic district.

Wednesday, May 21
Another busy day….beginning with a drive to El Yunque (http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean/). We’ll stop in their museum (restrooms, gift job, a few exhibits) and then make our way to the end of the road to begin our trek to the top of the world. Watch for interesting coqui (13 species here), 50 bird species, lizards, tree ferns, tropical plants, aerophytes, and sitting above the clouds. There are 4 types of forest communities:
(1) Tabonuco Forest - Located at elevations of up to 2000 ft, trees grow to a maximum of about 115 to 125 ft tall. Tabonuco and Ausubo tree are the dominant species, but there are plenty of Yagrumo, Guaraguao, Laurel Sabino, and giant ferns.
(2) Palo Colorado Forest - Occurs at 1970 ft-2950 ft. Here you can find lots of Caimitillo, Caimitillo Verde, and Palo Colorado.
(3) Palma Sierra Forest - This forest is found at elevations > 1958 ft, as its name describes, the sierra palm is the dominant species.
(4) "Bosque En Las Nubes" (Forest in the clouds) - Located 2500 ft above sea level, this forest is limited to the highest mountain tops. Tree height is generally limited to 12 ft. or less because of the high winds and water-saturated soil. Common tree species are Némoco, Roble de Sierra, Limoncillo Guayabota, and Camasey.
Descending the mountain, we will again mount our vehicle for a short trip to a nearby parking lot, where we will take another hike to La Mina Falls – a popular tourist photo and swim spot.
We need to be careful of time, because we still have night kayaking in Laguna Grande, a bioluminescent bay near Fajardo. As we leave El Yunque, we’ll stop for a light meal on the way to Las Croabas where we will meet our kayak guide at 6:30 p.m. for a couple of hours of water fun. We’ll kayak through the mangroves into the lagoon and spend time communing with dinoflagellates. About 9 p.m. or so we’ll make our way back to Old San Juan.
If there’s energy left, we’ll find a club for wind-down time.

Thursday, May 22
Today will be laid back. Morning visits to El Morro, San Cristobal, and other historical highlights of the old walled city will help us visualize the strategic importance of this island. Shopping is also on the agenda – and perhaps a visit to the bar that invented and served the world’s first piña colada.
A late afternoon siesta may be needed to charge the batteries for a last night in San Juan. We’ll see what happens, but only we’ll know for sure.

Friday, May 23
Alas, we end our experience in Borinquen. The van will be returned to Charlie’s, who will shuttle us to the airport. Our flight, American Airlines # 2078, leaves at 3:10 p.m. Arrival at ORD will be ca. 8 p.m.

Bioluminescence

Rebecca Flack prepared this presentation in 2002 prior to her first visit to Puerto Rico.

T & E Species

Since none of you chose to discuss animal and plants that are endangered in Puerto Rico, I decided to post a presentation given a few years by Evan Menzel when he was an undergraduate student in NRES. ENJOY.

Democracy in Action

In keeping with Manuél's look at the historic relationship between Puerto Rico and the USA, I came across this video made in 1940 prior to World War II. It is a bit long, but has interesting footage and commentary.

Puerto Rico - United States Relations & Issues

Karst Geology & Biodiversity

Following are slides used by Cassie Carroll to illustrate her examination of the Karst landscape in Puerto Rico and the diverse species associated with it. A few of the images and slides were removed from her presentation in order to result in files sizes able to be uploaded to this blog.