Contribution starting at $3,500
Exported from Streamline App (https://app.streamlineicons.com)
9 days - Each day filled with impactful activities Includes accommodations, food, and all related research costs

As a paying volunteer, you directly fund scientific research by covering permits, equipment, and other costs while supporting local vendors.

BOOK WITH A $500 DEPOSIT
Climate Change

Wildlife in the Changing Andorran Pyrenees

Location
Valley of Ordino, Andorra
Lead Scientist
Bernat Claramunt-L贸pez, Ph.D.
Activity Level
Very Active
Accommodations
Hotel/Resort/Lodge
Food
Chef-prepared meals

TYPICAL ITINERARY:

  • DAY 1: Arrival, introduction to research
  • DAYS 2鈥8 (spring, summer, fall teams): Training on sapling techniques and activities, small and large mammal monitoring, bird monitoring, vegetation surveys, soil surveys
  • DAY 9: Departure

THIS EXPEDITION IS OPEN TO STUDENTS AND TEENS!

Learn About Teen Teams

View the Expedition Briefing
View Research Impact in the Field Report
A beautiful scenic view in the Andorran Pyrenees (C) Mathew Yee
A researcher removed a bird from a mist net while two participants look on (C) Caroline Dunn
美姬社区 participants measuring the width of a tree trunk (C) Caroline Dunn
A Fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) in the grasses of the Valley of Ordino (C) Jana Marco
A researcher secures a camera trap on a tree trunk while a teen participant looks on (C) Amy Reggio
美姬社区 participants Black Pine and Scots pine seedlings as part of a tree seedling planting study (C) Dr. Bernat Claramunt
The team hikes through a meadow in the Valley of Ordino (C) Greg Schillo
A beautiful scenic view in the Andorran Pyrenees (C) Mathew Yee
A researcher removed a bird from a mist net while two participants look on (C) Caroline Dunn
美姬社区 participants measuring the width of a tree trunk (C) Caroline Dunn
A Fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) in the grasses of the Valley of Ordino (C) Jana Marco
A researcher secures a camera trap on a tree trunk while a teen participant looks on (C) Amy Reggio
.
The team hikes through a meadow in the Valley of Ordino (C) Greg Schillo

Environmental change shows itself in countless small ways. Engage your powers of observation to discover evidence of these changes in one of the world鈥檚 most fragile and beautiful places.

A teen participant blowing into a tube onto a table filled with pine needles (C) Dana Salomon. |. 美姬社区As climate change steadily transforms the high slopes of the Andorran Pyrenees, species are being forced to shift their ranges, and some are facing alarming declines. Human encroachment further disrupts this delicate alpine world. Still, little research has been done to understand how these forces reshape the landscape. Local organizations are urgently seeking sustainable solutions; now, you can be at the forefront of this critical research.

Join researchers on this expedition to help investigate the changing biodiversity of the region. While trekking through the breathtaking landscapes, you鈥檒l study small mammals, birds, and alpine flora. You鈥檒l weigh and measure mammals, monitor nest boxes for boreal owls, and spot other bird species. Your team will also track the growth of tree species and observe bats to determine how these key species respond to climate change. This data will be vital for understanding how species鈥 life cycles are shifting and how best to protect this delicate ecosystem in a changing climate.

Your work will help scientists understand how species鈥 life cycles are shifting and whether ecological relationships, such as plant blooming and pollinator activity, are staying in sync. This data will provide valuable insight into conservation planning and local decision-making.

 

Why It Matters:
The Impact of Volunteer Science

 


Since 2017, volunteers have captured and banded 1,325 birds from 31 different species!

bird against a gradient circle


This provides valuable data for studying and identifying individual birds, with five species captured more than fifty times, contributing to long-term avian research.

 

 

After nine years of fieldwork, we are beginning to answer some of our mid-term questions through the addition of a PhD thesis and postdoc research! The results from these two researchers, using data you helped gather, complement the papers included in the PhD thesis presented last year, which focused on describing insect communities along elevational gradient.

鈥Dr. Bernat Claramunt,  Lead Scientist

.

HOW YOU WILL HELP

Your days in this stunning environment will vary. Sometimes, you鈥檒l work at a research site close to home; on other days, you'll walk amidst the mountains at high elevations. Throughout the expedition, you'll see much of the countryside, from wooded mountainsides to quiet valleys and open pastures. You will help:

.

Two women weighing a small mammal to track the health of vole, mouse, and shrew populations (C) Caroline Dunn
Monitor small mammals

Keep an eye on the health of vole, mouse, and shrew populations by capturing them, collecting measurements, and safely releasing them.

A researcher measures a bird while a participant records the data onto a clipboard (C) Caroline Dunn
Track biodiversity

In each of the 12 sampling stations, you will check some of the more than 100 nest boxes for birds installed and monitor camera traps set up by the researchers.

A participant measures the length of a pine tree branch (C) Kyle Gaw
Tree Growth Surveys

Assess the survival and growth of two species of planted pine trees and collect measurements on the growth rates of trees at various elevations.

In the late afternoon, the team will return to the hotel to rest, record data, and identify photos of animals taken by camera traps. Evenings will include a communal dinner and time to rest, visit local sites, or learn more about the research.

Field conditions and research needs can lead to changes in the itinerary and activities. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

 

Highlights to Explore at this Destination

  • Andorra la Vella: The capital city, known for its shopping, restaurants, and vibrant cultural scene
  • Casa d'Areny-Plandolit: A historic mansion in Ordino, showcasing Andorra鈥檚 aristocratic heritage with exhibits on local history and culture.
  • Mirador Roc Del Quer: A breathtaking viewpoint in Canillo offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
  • Tristaina Sundial Balcony: A 2,701-meter-high viewpoint with stunning views, featuring a 27-meter sundial that honors the "solar mountain."
  • La Massana: A charming town offering access to mountain activities and stunning views of the Pyrenees.

 

.

FEEDBACK & QUESTIONS

11 Reviews on this Expedition

If you have been on this expedition, others considering attending would love to hear about your experience.
Kelsey Kosten |
You'll never forget the Andorran Pyrenees!
Andorra is a beautiful country. We hiked to different research sites and each one offered amazing views and landscapes. It was lovely to be able to spend time doing the research in these alpine environments, rather than just hiking to the top and then going down again. Bernat and his team were incredibly helpful and made the research engaging. Through studying nest boxes, mushrooms, camera traps, dendrometers, birds, and insect traps, there was an opportunity to try different types of activities and expand your knowledge. The researchers continually emphasized the importance of the project and made sure we understood how we were helping them! The accommodations were great! It was very comfortable and the pool was a nice way to relax. There was plenty of food and a nice variety of options. I also appreciated that the accommodations were so close to the research sites, after a long day of hiking it was nice to be able to get back in less than 15 minutes. Overall, it was an incredible experience!
Joanne Bleiler |
A powerful experience in a very unique place!
Have you ever wanted to be a "real scientist"? This is your chance to do so in an absolutely stunning, and uniquely important, part of the world! You will understand the fragile ecosystems of the Pyrenees Mountains and what scientists are doing to learn more about how climate change and human encroachment is impacting this beautiful place. You will work with scientists who are amazing in the depth & breadth of their knowledge & skills, motivated & passionate about sharing with others, and effective in educating & training "citizen scientists." You will work with volunteers from different countries, each bringing something valuable to the experience. You will learn research techniques and use a variety of tools and strategies to collect data. You will understand and appreciate the level and intensity of the work scientists are doing on a daily basis. You will be armed with this powerful experience and knowledge and an intense motivation to bring it back to your own community and find ways to involve others in the conversation. You will be a "real scientist!"
Jean Bouteiller |
Wildlife in the Changing Andorran Pyrenees a Great Experience!
Just back from my first 美姬社区 expedition, which was Wildlife in the Changing Andorran Pyrenees. Wish I had not waited so long for my first one, but it was certainly worth the wait. Our leader, Bernat, and the rest of the staff were truly outstanding. They patiently and enthusiastically led us through all of our tasks, and answered even the most mundane questions cheerfully. The landscape was beautiful and dramatic with the snow-capped mountains, and steep terrain. The hiking was challenging, but adjustment to the altitude came quickly. There were options available to those in our group who did not wish to take on the most strenuous hikes, and for those that wanted to push themselves, there was ample opportunity there as well. If you enjoy being in the mountains and want to participate a wide variety of scientific research this is a trip for you.

Have a question?

If your question is not answered by one of our FAQs, please reach out to us and we will answer your question as soon as we can.

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Explore More

Browse All Stories

GET EARTHWATCH NEWSLETTER

Bi-weekly announcements, new expeditions, and updates on our impact around the globe.