Guide Nancy: Tell me a little bit about the accommodations and meals on your expeditions. Could, say, a diabetic volunteer or a vegan volunteer go on Earthwatch expeditions?
Debbie Hadley: Accommodations and meals vary quite a bit, depending on the expedition. I'm vegetarian myself, and have been for all six of my expeditions, and I've never starved. Of course, you have to like beans and rice. One of my fellow volunteers in St. Croix was diabetic. She wore a monitor of some kind that beeped as we patrolled the beach. She was also vegetarian, and she brought along a few bags of snacks to supplement her diet while on expedition. For some expeditions, I've been housed in nice hotels, with a room right on the beach. On other expeditions, I've been housed in a guest house with two or three volunteers sharing a room. Some expeditions might have you camping in tents, or in a facility without hot water (I've experienced that twice). Again, you will know exactly what you are getting into before you go.
Guide Nancy: I have to confess that I’m an indifferent camper. I definitely need a daily lukewarm shower and I’m not willing to give up my deodorant in order to trek the high country. Does Earthwatch offer expeditions that people like me could truly enjoy?
Debbie Hadley: Absolutely. You can even go on the Earthwatch website and search for an expedition by field conditions. Just click on the "advanced search" feature, then check any requirements you would like met - hot running water, electricity, single room, etc. Or, you can call Earthwatch at 1-800-776-0188 and talk to a representative. Let him know what you are looking for, and he'll match you to the right expedition.
Guide Nancy: I know that Earthwatch provides emergency medical evacuation insurance to its U.S. and U.K. volunteers. What happens, though, if minor medical problems come up? I’m thinking of things like falls, scrapes, infected bug bites – the things that can happen on any outdoor excursion.
Debbie Hadley: The principal investigators and field staff are prepared for things like this. On my Trinidad expedition, I actually worked for Earthwatch as part of the field staff, and I had to have current first aid and CPR certification. We had a first aid kit and CPR mask on site while working in the field. On one of my Barbados expeditions, one of my fellow team members contracted some kind of allergic rash. She visited a local medical clinic on the island and was treated there. Of course, some expeditions can be in remote places (like the Pantanal), so you need to take some responsibility for your own health and safety. I always travel with some triple antibiotic cream, a simple first aid kit, extra amounts of all my prescription medicines, and copies of the prescriptions. I also make sure to get any vaccinations recommended for the trip, and for Brazil, I had to take an antimalarial drug as well.
Guide Nancy: What was your favorite Earthwatch excursion, and why was it such a memorable experience?
Debbie Hadley: Ooh, that's a tough one. If I had to choose, I think I would say the Saving the Leatherback Turtle expedition in St. Croix was the best. Not only did we observe and measure nesting sea turtles, but when the turtle chose to nest in the high erosion zone on the beach, we actually moved the eggs. How did we do that? We would lie down on our stomachs in the sand behind the turtle, rest our heads on the back of her shell, and reach under her to catch the eggs as they dropped. Then we'd place them in a plastic garbage bag, and dig a nest in a better location. Not many people can say they have caught turtle eggs as they came out of the turtle - especially on the world's largest sea turtle!
