At least one
month prior to departure
|
 |
Arrange for any needed wilderness permits,
fire permits, or permits allowing you to take research samples from
private or
protected areas. |
|
Get additional
travel insurance if needed.
Make sure it includes international evacuation, emergency health care, and
property coverage. |
|
|
Arrange for time off from work. |
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Get inoculations or shots if needed. |
|
|
Arrange for transportation
to/from. |
|
Get
EXTRA
personal medications if needed. |
|
|
Maintenance check on vehicle(s). |
|
Arrange to have a friend,
family member, or professional service
care for the pets, plants, and kids. |
|
|
Advise
anyone who needs to know you’ll be gone. |
|
Check
and copy (notarized) your
passport.
Put one copy in
your luggage
and leave the other with a trusted friend at home. |
|
|
Set any needed
reservations. |
|
Prep your gear (waterproofing,
name tags,
expiration dates,
etc.) |
|
|
Check
for any
hazards (mines, pathogens, plants and
animals) where you'll be working and
brief your work crew. |
|
If
going
overseas, check the
State Department's travel web site for warnings. |
|
|
Estimate expenses
and then add an additional 20% to help buffer unanticipated events. |
|
Start
breaking in any new gear -- especially new boots. |
|
|
Get
dental checkup (for extended or
overseas trips). |
|
Get
medical checkup (for extended or
overseas trips). |
Starting at least two
weeks prior to departure
|
|
|
Leave the name & number of nearest
ranger station, police station, hotel, campground, etc. with someone at home. |
|
Set compass
declination. |
|
|
Return/renew any
library books, rented movies, etc. |
|
Clear GPS receiver
and set your field area's proper map datum. |
|
|
"Empty"
the fridge. |
|
Pay all bills, rent, fees, tuition, etc. |
|
|
Hold or
forward your mail. |
|
Purchase
any items needed upon return
(if returning at the last minute). |
|
|
Hold your newspaper subscription. |
|
Charge
batteries (for cameras, etc.) |
|
|
Plan
meals & buy
needed food. |
|
Consider changing your answering machine message. |
|
|
Get a set of spare keys
for the vehicle you'll be driving in the field. |
|
Consider giving a set of your personal car keys to a trusted friend. |
The Night Before
Leaving
|
|
|
Check
the
weather forecast. |
|
Prep
some
ice and chill plenty of water. |
|
|
Water the plants and feed the pets. |
|
Pack
your lunch. |
As you're leaving
|
|
|
Turn off your alarm clock. (Otherwise your neighbors
might hate you as well as know you're not home!) |
|
Adjust the thermostat and water
faucets if necessary. |
|
|
Appliances off
(especially automatic coffee maker). |
|
Set timers for non-halogen lights and a radio
in your home. |
|
|
Close
all windows. |
|
Do any
last dishes and take out the trash. |
|
|
Lock
the doors as you go! |
|
If leading the trip,
KNOW the NUMBER of
people on your crew and write it down!!! |
