GIS in Baja

Exploring Marine GIS: An ArcGIS Field and Lab Course

Note: this course is not running per se in 2007. We will be running a research team through Earthwatch Institute from March 24-31, 2007, which will have more of a GIS focus than our other teams, which may be of interest. The plan at the moment is to revisit this GIS course beginning in 2008.

Wilderness Experience

This workshop was run from our research camp at Kuyimita, on the shore of San Ignacio Lagoon. The camp was set up in 1992 by Ecoturismo Kuyima, a local organisation dedicated to conservation and responsible ecotourism. Today, Kuyima runs most of the boats on the lagoon, and is the largest employer in the region. Our relationship with Kuyima began in 2003, when we moved our base of operations to their camp at Kuyimita. We are now working with both Kuyima and the local landowners on sustainable development projects.

Laguna San Ignacio is located within the Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve, and has gained international recognition and protection as a whale sanctuary (read more here). This adventure offered many chances to observe wildlife, explore the diversity and wonder of desert and marine ecosystems and experience one of the wildest places on earth. Whale watching, mud flat excursions, mangrove explorations, bird watching, desert hikes and cultural experiences were all offered throughout the week.

Accommodation

As the area around Laguna San Ignacio is part of a nature reserve, there are very few buildings. Participants therefore camped in tents during this workshop. We had a few available to rent, but as March is a very busy time in San Ignacio, we recommended people bring their own. They also needed a sleeping bag and mat.

Ecoturismo Kuyima provides us with a small hut as a research lab. The hut is big enough for six people to work comfortably at any given time. Electricity is provided by solar and wind power, backed up as required by a pair of portable generators. CERF has its own computers for research use, but participants were required to bring their own laptops for use during the workshop.

And because it seems to matter to some people... Fresh water is limited in the desert environment around the lagoon, so we have to make some allowances. Drinking & shower water is made from sea water in a local desalination plant and trucked to Kuyimita. Showers were hence limited to one every other day. Toilets are of the composting type, using sea water to flush.

Meals

Meals were prepared by Ecoturismo Kuyima staff and served in a permanent thatched hut (called a palapa). The menu was traditional Mexican cuisine, with lots of fish. Vegetarian options were available with advance notice.

Cost

The cost of the trip was $1,399.00 USD and included all GIS instruction, course materials, ESRI ArcGIS 9 trial version software, meals, camping accommodations, as well as a contribution to the ongoing conservation research being conducted by CERF's crews in and around the lagoon. US taxpayers' contributions were tax-deductible.

Getting there

Baja is a big place. (You'll frequently hear, "but it looks so much smaller on a map!") Getting around is straightforward, but it does take time. The nearest commercial airport to San Ignacio is at Loreto (LTO), which is served by Alaskan Airlines, Aero California, and Aero Mexico. Seats are limited, as each airline only flies to Loreto once or a few times a day. Check airline websites for details. We recommended people not book through one of the many internet discount sites, since if anything goes wrong, there's no way to get any assistance. Use their sites to find flights, then contact the airline directly.

• Alaskan Airlines
• Aero California - no website, tel: (800) 237-6225
• Aero Mexico

We told people to pack lots of patience, so they could enjoy the trip. All but Alaskan make a stop at Hermosillo to clear Mexican immigration. Customs clearance happens at Loreto. A passport is required, and whenever traveling to Mexico, don't lose the tourist card you get on the plane! (citizens of countries other than Mexico, the US & Canada, please check with the Mexican consulate in your country to ensure you don't need a visa)

Rendezvous

Make sure to be at the rendezvous site below at the indicated time!

was at the Hotel Oasis, Loreto, BCS, Mexico, 19:30.

What to bring

General Considerations

We recommended people not bring more luggage than they could carry and handle on their own. We recommended that they pack a carry-on bag with an extra set of field clothing and personal essentials in the event that their luggage was lost and/or took several days to catch up with them.

This is particularly important in Mexico, as one of our PIs discovered one winter, when his bags were lost between Philadelphia and Los Angeles – there is no reliable means of forwarding lost luggage from LAX to anywhere in Baja California.

Suitcases are difficult in the wilderness, so we suggested that clothing and equipment be packed in duffle bags or some other soft case. Space and weight are at a premium, particularly on the van from Loreto, so project staff asked that luggage be as compact and lightweight as possible. Also, we suggested that bags be waterproof - a duffle bag lined with two garbage bags is ideal.

Weather Considerations

We asked that people take into consideration the weather conditions during their team when packing for their expedition. We suggested that participants bring warm outer clothing and good rain clothing (even in Mexico: it doesn’t rain often in the desert, but when it does...) so that they could remain comfortable in windy or wet conditions on the water (think open boats travelling at 20 knots on choppy seas...) or on land. Volunteers were told to be prepared to dress in layers to accommodate changes in the weather.

Polyester “Fleece” and thermal layer fabrics have good wicking qualities, are warm, and dry out rapidly - these are a good idea in an environment where the climatic conditions are highly varied. Heavy cotton fabrics (e.g., jeans) should be avoided, as they are slow to dry and cold when wet. Several layers of thin clothes are preferable to one thick layer in terms of adjustment to weather conditions in the field. There are no facilities for washing clothes at Kuyimita, but the local women offer a laundry service for a (really modest) fee. The camp staff are pleased to explain how the system works and what it costs.

Essential Items

• A printout of these pages
• A photocopy of your passport, flight itinerary, and credit cards
• Laptop computer (WinXP only - sorry, no macs)

Required Items

Clothing/Footwear for Fieldwork

• Light weight, quick drying, long-sleeved shirts
• Warm wool or pile sweater or jacket (fleece)
• Waterproof rain jacket with hat or attached hood; rain pants (for traveling in open boats)
• Socks (2 pair wool or more)
• Long pants (2 pair, quick dry is best)
• Shorts (1 pair)
• Sun hat with wide brim or baseball cap
• Shoes for use in camp (e.g. running shoes or hiking boots)
• Water shoes (not sandals or flip-flops – no good against stingrays!) for wading out to the boats, and for work in the intertidal (e.g. something like Teva Proton water shoes – don’t spend a fortune on these – the crew generally invest a whopping $5 at Walmart every year!)
• T-shirts
• Long sleeved shirts

Clothing/Footwear for Leisure

• One set of clothing to keep clean for end of expedition

Field Supplies

• Flashlight or headlamp and spare batteries
• Small daypack/rucksack
• Drybag or plastic sealable bags (good for protecting equipment such as camera from dust, humidity, and water)

Bedding and Bathing

• Towel
• Good quality sleeping bag, preferably with synthetic fill, rated to zero Celsius
• Tent (preferably low profile, with lots of guy wires, and stakes)
• Thermorest or ensolite sleeping pad or air mattress
• Small pillow (optional)

Personal Supplies

• Personal toiletries (we recommended bringing biodegradable soaps and shampoos)
• Roll of toilet paper (The camp latrines are all properly provisioned, but be sure to bring your own for travelling in Mexico.)
• Personal first aid kit (e.g. anti-diarrhea pills, antibiotics, antiseptic, itch-relief, pain reliever, bandages, blister covers, etc.) and personal medications
• Sunscreen lotion with SPF 30 or higher, chapstick/lipbalm with SPF 30+
• After-sun lotion
• Spare eye glasses/contact lenses
• Sunglasses with good UV protection and good quality retainer
• Feminine hygiene products – if you think you might need any, bring your own! They’re as good as impossible to find in Mexico

Miscellaneous

• Spending money for laundry, snacks, alcohol, and souvenirs. CERF can cash travellers' cheques (any currency) and can accept VISA, MC, AmEx, and Diners Club.
• Camera with a good neck strap, lots of film (64-100 ASA slide or 100-400 ASA print), lenses (80-300 mm ideal), extra camera battery. Digital cameras are good for people pictures, but for whale pictures, make sure your camera has a good telephoto (equivalent 200 mm lens or better). Project staff use Canon Digital Rebel & EOS 350D cameras with 100-300mm zoom lenses.
• Binoculars (with good neck strap) : 7x35 or 8x40 seem to be the most useful

Optional/Recommended Items

• Earplugs
• Pocket knife and disposable lighter (remember to pack knife in your checked luggage!)
• Reading material
• Diary or notepaper
• Waterproof case or box for camera - "Pelican" brand cases are best
• Clothespins and string