Application for Grant Aid
Submitted on: 31 Jan 2013Expedition details (GPF2013a-005)
Region:
MEF funding: none
Cavers ≤25 yrs old: 0Cavers 25-35 yrs old: 0
Eligible for grant aid: 0
Alex Pitcher nominations: 0
Expedition duration (days): 72
Field days: 770 Travel days: 22
List a short summary of the main Expedition objectives.
For ten weeks we shall undertake research and conservation work in Trinidad with the help from local NGOs and the University of West Indies. We aim to carry out vital research into endangered amphibians as well as projects related to marine turtle behaviour, and reptile, bat and insect ecology.Please explain the aspects of the trip which make it eligible for Ghar Parau funding.
Give a more detailed account of the purpose of the trip, including any particular known caves you intend to visit, specific areas where you will explore for new cave, and scientific experiments you will attempt.
Our team shall be continuing work from previous University expeditions. From here we aim to further develop our understanding of the biological diversity of Trinidad. Our main aim is not only to provide this information for the scientific world, and play a role in conservation efforts worldwide, but to support local NGOs and communities and aid them in educating and managing their land.Other research projects include:
Threatened amphibian surveying: Threatened populations will be surveyed by carrying out audio transects and microhabitat sampling. Surveys will be used to estimate populations and hand-held GPS devices will be used to improve distribution maps for surveyed species. When able, photographs shall be taken to record any morphological differences between species
Give details of any previous work in this area by your own and other teams. Include references to reports and articles published on the area, and the names of any local cavers or academics with whom you have discussed the Expedition.
Expedition leader, Gillian Simpson, has prior experience in Trinidad having been visiting the island annually since 2010. Gillian has vast knowledge of the area, and along with three other team members also returning to the island, for their second time, they will help new members to the island develop invaluable skills aiding them in future explorations and their chosen career paths. The expedition members will also learn essential techniques through hands on fieldwork which will help them in their chosen degrees. Education work will build their confidence and presentation skills when working with local schools. They will also experience a different culture and will have the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds. Being able to working with organisations such as Trinibats and Amazonia will allow members to gain knowledge from experts in the field of conservation and show them possible career paths they might want to pursue. All work shall be overseen my Professor J.R Downie. Professor Downie has been visiting Trinidad since the early 1980s and has an unimaginable amount of knowledge of Trinidad, and the flora and fauna that inhabits the country.Expedition Finances
Travel
Travel plans: |
| # from UK: | 0 | Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK): |
| Total costs from UK: | £0 |
| # from outside UK: | 0 | Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK): |
| Total costs from outside UK: | £0 |
| Travel total: | £13,210 | Travel p.p. from UK: | £0 |
| Travel p.p. from outside UK: | £0 |
Subsistence
| Total: | £10,400 | Comments: |
| Subsistence p.p.: | £867 | Accommodation=£8000 Food (£200 x 12)=£2,400 |
Gear
| Total: | £0 | Comments: |
| Gear p.p.: | £0 | Lab Hire=£1,500 Pre-expedition costs=£500 Administration and report=£500 Equipment=£1,500 10% contingency=£2,717 |
| Exped Total: | £30,327 | Exped cost p.p. travelling from UK: | £0 |
| Exped cost p.p. travelling from outside UK: | £0 | ||
| Mean Exped cost per person: | £2,527 |
Other Funding
| Total: | £7,600 | Comments: |
| University of Glasgow Exploration Court £ 2,400 received Blodwen Lloyd Binns Bequest Fund £700 received Bat Conservation International £2,000 pending Scientific Exploration Society £500 pending Carnegie Trust £2,000 pending Thriplow Trust, Dennis Curry Charitable Trust, Albert Reckitt Trust, Duke of Edinburgh Trust, and Gilchrist Educational Trust. |
| Total shortfall: | £22,727 | Mean shortfall per person: | £1,894 |
Referees and Report
Please give the names, addresses and phone numbers of two suitably qualified people whom the Committee can contact. You should ensure that they are aware of the objectives of your trip, and that you have their permission for the Committee to contact them.
Affiliation: University of Glasgow
Reason:
Affiliation: University of West Indies
Reason: