Those same hills and clouds and one of many steep and muddy slopes that I mention below.
Welcome to my first ever blog post on my first ever blog! My goal for this blog is to document my experiences, the people I work and interact with, and the places I live and see, over the next 2 and a half months I will be in Panama.
Blogging was never something I was very interested in doing. It never seemed to be worth the time and effort to me, and I could not think of something about my life that other people would be interested in reading about or looking at pictures of. However, I recently stubbled into what I think is an extremely interesting and unique opportunity. I have been afforded the opportunity to run a research project in Panama, working with concerned Panamanians to collect georeferenced data about the tropical forests in their regions. The data will be used by these dedicated groups to monitor aspects of their forest resources which are of particular importance to them. In addition, this data will used by us to verify the data used by the Global Forest Watch, to determine if their awesome Global Forest Watch interactive map can be a reliable tool for monitoring forests in Panama (check it out at: http://www.globalforestwatch.org). For more information on the project, its goals, and my role in all of this, check out The Project page!
So, why a blog?
Well, yesterday I was in the field with one of the groups I will be working with over the next three months (more on them to come!). We were pushing a ‘chiva’ (a four-wheel drive truck that can go where no vehicle should be able to go) up a ridiculously steep and muddy slope, laughing and cheering, while clouds rolled over the tropical forest and pasture covered hills, when I realized that this might be the coolest experience I will ever have, ever. I then decided that it was only fair to do such an experience justice, with proper documentation of it.
So, here I am adding another thing to the list of things I never thought I would do, but am doing since I have been in Panama: Blogging. I am hoping this will be an enjoyable experience, for anyone who reads it and for me, and that we can all learn something new from it!
Enjoy!
mapping panama 
Hi Karling! I’m looking forward to reading your blog! The work that you are doing sounds very interesting and rewarding.
Marian Z.
Fantastic! I’m so glad you are doing this! I can’t wait to read everything!
I wish I had something to say that sounds intelligent and scientific like, ” the picea glauca in the richtaceae forest are excluded from the circumference of the thymus serphyllum and sagina subulata and therefore the non homogenosity of the vegetation which could cause a decline in the hemoglobin of the macro fauna will benefit from the monitoring of this tropical terrain,” but I can only think of nonsense.
I’m thrilled that you are enjoying your Panama Project so much. Your blog is going to be amazing!
Hi karling,
Glad to hear that you are enjoying your work and will be there for the summer. Your last pictures were amazing to see and it certainly is lush there. No matter where we are living this type of work is important to everyone! Send along more pictures and stay safe.
A elizabeth
Hi Karling!
I really enjoyed reading your first blog and can’t wait for more. Hope you are having the time of your life. Enjoy every moment!
Lori xo
What a great experience you are having! First blog I have ever read, keep up the good work and stay safe. What animals do you see in these parts? Beautiful place, so lush. baba xo