michael@ucbiris.BERKELEY.EDU (Tom Slone [(415)486-5954]) (01/29/86)
Here is some more detailed information on Earthwatch and similar organizations that I know of. As I understand it, they will accept you if you are physically fit for the particular expedition and if you appear smart and if you have an interest in the study. Earthwatch is by far the largest of these groups. The two others I know of are University [of California] Research Expeditions Program (UREP) and Have Mule Will Travel. All are non-profit, so not only is the cost of the expedition currently tax-deductable, but so is the cost of transportation to the staging area. Earthwatch puts out a bimonthly magazine describing their current list of expeditions. In their last issue, they had 72 upcoming expeditions in the following fields of discipline: Agriculture, Animal Behavior, Anthropology, Archaeology, Art History, Ecology, Ethnomusicology, Marine Archaeology, Marine Ecology, Ornithology, Paleontology, Primatology and Volcanology. Trip cost varies, but is generally around $1000 per trip not including transportation to the staging area. Most trips last between 2 and 4 weeks. Cost of membership is $25 in the U.S. Address: P.O. Box 127, Belmont, MA 02178, Phone: (617) 489-3030. They will send you a sample copy of their magazine. UREP currently has about 20 expeditions in the following fields: Animal Behavior, Archaeology, Anthropology, Botany/Ecology, Earth Sciences/ Paleontology, and Marine Studies. Address: University Research Expeditons Program, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720. Phone: (415) 642-6586. Have Mule Will Travel has about 10 expeditions per year. This years trips are: Mexican Island Wildlife, Jamaican Underwater Archaeology, Southern Californian Rock Art, Washington State Archaeology, Gulf of California Zoology, Israeli Archaeology, Yucatan Wildlife, West Africa Wildlife, Argentina Guacho Ethnography, and Yucatan Museum Collecting. Address: 787 South Grade Rd, Alpine, CA 92001. Phone: (619) 445-9264.