Tropical Research

• Biodiversity research (The Harvard Natural History Project) species inventory in MVP.

• Jaguar research on how the behavior of intervening landscape elements influences the presence and dispersal of jaguars. The project conducted by Kaminando is determining jaguar density across landscape systems within the Mamoní Valley Preserve and has identified seven resident jaguars.

• GIS land use mapping with the University of Redlands, Center for Spatial Studies, Global Wildlife Conservation/SMART, and Forests of the World.

• Reintroduction of endangered species conducted by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.

Global Climate Change: MVP and neighboring Emberá Ẽjuä So pilot projects on non-carbon benefits with EUROCLIMA+. 

BioMundi: An initiative of biologists of the University of Panama creating species catalogues and field guides for Geoversity and the MVP.

Micro watershed micro management: Family driven Caracol River Basin Restoration Project in MVP.

Reforestation with bamboo: A part of Geoversity’s value chain and community non-carbon benefit initiatives.

Gunayala: Coral reef restoration in collaboration with Gunayala Caribbean Anmardub Island with Guna youth and the Guna General Congress.

Cébaco: Future inventory research for endangered species on Cébaco Island.

A researcher can be an independent, or a team of individuals, that belongs to an educational, or a scientific institution, and that has a project, or projects, that would benefit from research taking place in a tropical rainforest environment. The ultimate goal of any research should be to contribute to the conservation of the ecosystems studied.

Geoversity’s main campus is the Mamoní Valley Preserve, located within the largest remaining stretch of contiguous rainforest in the exceptionally biodiverse Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena eco-region: one of the top 25 Biodiversity Hotspots in the world and adjacent to the indigenous Gunayala territory, Emberá communities and the national protected areas Narganá and the Chagres National Park.

Incredibly, it is a mere 2-hour drive from the Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, in the narrowest stretch of the Americas.

Stay at our off-the-grid rainforest research station with cabañas and hand-crafted furnishings that are built with locally salvaged hardwoods and bamboo. All our facilities are sustainably powered 24/7 by a unique hydro-electric and solar system. In our open-air, raised dormitory cabana, researchers get a private tent with a 2 inch pad bedding, along with access to wifi, laundry, stream-fed pool, and multi-use facilities. The cabana has sinks, hot water showers, flush toilets, and 110v electricity.

For $45/day researchers have access to:

• 3 meals per day, with water, coffee, and tea
• Refrigeration/freezer for limited sample storage 
• 25m length, stream-fed natural pool
• Organic garden
• Laundry facility
• Wi-Fi access point
• Source of potable water
• Lock box

• Airport pickup and drop-off* 
• Supply and materials purchases
• Any costs outside of the Mamoní Valley Preserve
• Any medical costs
• Any travel or medical insurance

*Private airport/city pickup/drop-off costs $150 each way per vehicle (fits up to 6ppl) for a ride to or pick up from the Tocumen International airport or locations in Panama City. Other options are to take a bus from Panama city to Chepo for $1.50 and we will pick you up in Chepo, which costs $60 each way per truck (fits 4ppl). Taxi from the airport to Chepo is about $50 and from Panama city is about $60 (taxi fare can be split with other ppl in your group).

• Private cabanas with beds
• Transportation
• Guides and porters
• Guided eco-adventures

• Your attendance will be confirmed after 100% of the balance is paid. 
• Upon confirmation of the trip or no later than 8 weeks prior to the trip, we require a 50% deposit. This is to allow us to continue normal operations in preparation for the trip and make any important purchases.
• The last 50% of the cost is required 21 days prior to the trip or an additional 5% administrative fee will be charged on the total trip cost.

The Republic of Panama requires all individuals conducting research in Panama to adhere to the laws and regulations of the country, international conventions (e.g., CITES, Convention on Biological Diversity), and the laws of the country to which scientific samples are being exported to or imported from. A scientific permit is required in the Republic of Panama for the legal observation, collection, import and export of scientific samples.

Scientific permit granting agencies in Panama include:

• The Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente – Former ANAM)
• The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry (MIDA)
• The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MICI)
• The National Institute for Culture (INAC)
• The Civil Aeronautics Authority (AAC)
• The Panama Canal Authority (ACP)

Panamanian regulations require that all permit requests must be prepared in Spanish. Users have the sole responsibility for the accuracy of the information incorporated into their permit applications and for the submission of the required accompanying materials for the scientific permit application.

Users must be aware that submission of incomplete applications will cause significant delays to their permit process time. In general Panamanian entities are required to render a decision on scientific permit applications within 45 working days (63 calendar days) of receipt of the application. 

Geoversity maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding the failure to comply with the regulations for the legal observation, collection, import and export of scientific samples. Ignoring this policy will lead to disciplinary actions including denial of access to Geoversity facilities, disciplinary actions, possibly dismissal, and prosecution by the Government of Panama.

Send an email to info@geoversity.org with the following information:

• Your CV.
• Dates of your stay.
• English or Spanish draft of the research you are planning to do. Include: objectives, methodology, materials and activities timeline.

Recommendation letter or a reference from the institution supporting your research