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Welcome to the Research
Outdoorsmanship website. This site aims to pass on some of the
knowledge and skills necessary for the practice of safe field research by
focusing on outdoorsmanship as it relates to outdoor research.
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Here's a little
taste of what you'll find inside...
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Orienteering,
first aid, simple weather forecasting, plant/animal identification,
respect for the environment and
several
other skills WILL come in handy while doing field work of any type. |
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Field work isn't always done in the pleasant heat of
summer. Depending on the requirements of the situation, you may
find yourself working in the dead of winter at temperatures well below
freezing. Those who are prepared will
stay warm and dry,
as will their gear. Those who aren't prepared will likely
be miserable for hours if not days. |
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© 2002 Reuben Johnson
Katie Wooddell and a black bear track-way -- Ontario,
Canada.
The picture above shows bear tracks in fresh snow before noon. A
short distance away we came across a large quantity of bear droppings
and the place
where it spent the night.
Based on the time, snowfall rate, and
freshness of the abundant bear sign, we knew the bear was very close.
This is part of what
Situation
Awareness is all about. Also, these are among the signs YOUR
outdoor skills should be alert to while
working any field site -- especially in
bear territory. |
Because forest growth can often block any GPS reception, you may have to navigate with
a
compass. Further, GPS devices (when functioning) are sometimes frustratingly inaccurate,
and their interface is not always friendly when dead or cold batteries
don't
preclude their use. |
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The Native American expression for being
lost is the same as that for being stupid. After all,
how could anyone get lost in his or her own home?!? |
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© 2003 Reuben Johnson
Frozen branch -- Appalachian Range. |
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Nowhere in Native American culture will you
find a word for, or reference to, the wilderness. In essence,
there is no such thing for those already at home in the outdoors. |
| It's YOUR
responsibility to take good care of expensive and delicate equipment
regardless of how harsh the field conditions may be. |
Good Research Outdoorsmanship not only includes general
knowledge of the outdoors, but knowing
what gear to bring, how to use
it, and how to treat it properly -- you'll NEVER see a climber mistreating
her gear. Some of the field equipment you'll be using (borrowing) will
be VERY expensive and your boss or thesis advisor will be rather
displeased if you return it in poor shape.
Check the page on
Protecting Your Gear for some tips on how to do this. |
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© 2003 Reuben Johnson
Expensive research equipment in a home-made insulated
box to protect it from the subzero temperatures of a Wisconsin winter. |
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Respect for the environment
is also an integral part of Research Outdoorsmanship. |
| Often the very things that present some degree of danger
inspire the most awe and wonderment. |
© 2001 Reuben Johnson
A leafcutter soldier sinks its mandibles into Tim's
boot -- Belize, Central America. |
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© 2001 Reuben Johnson
Large thorns on a tree in Belize, Central America. |
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Technology and self confidence
are not a replacement for personal responsibility and expertise. |
By using this site as a guide, it is hoped YOU will sharpen your field
skills and be able to make reasoned and informed decisions to avoid the ever-present pitfalls inherent to outdoor research. |
| There's a tremendous volume of information in this site based on
years of firsthand field experience, training and research
from federal, state and private sources such as the
Centers
for Disease Control, various universities both foreign and domestic,
the American
Association of Poison Control Centers, the
US
Navy, etc. Spend some time here and check back often. The
site is constantly being added to and updated. And don't forget to
share it with your friends! |
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