One Month to Go

After job rearranging, budget tightening, and tons of research I have accepted a position with the World Wildlife Fund, International. I will be traveling to a very small country called Bhutan. Bhutan is a Buddhist country about the size of Switzerland and ranges from deep valleys to the tops of the Himalayas.

I will also have the opportunity to explore India.

My trip begins November 16th at 6:25am and lasts for four months, as I return March 23rd. The WWF is committed to preserving and maintaining the greatest biologically diverse areas in the world. They have recently established a new National Park in Bhutan. It is called Wangchuck Centennial Park and located in the Central Northern region of the country. I will be working alongside the WWF Bhutan Office establishing the Living Himalayas Program.

My main objective is to create conservation materials (brochures, pamphlets, animal information sheets, etc) for the new national park. I will also be serving as a liaison between the WWF Bhutan and other environmental groups for the duration of my stay. Part of this will include creating a photographic database for the park, which includes documenting current species of plant and wildlife. Animals known to be in the area are red pandas, bengal tigers, snow leopards, takin, black-necked cranes, wild dogs (dholes), and a variety of jungle antelope. In the last year at least three previously believed extinct species of bird were rediscovered. This is truly an untouched, unmarred territory.

Wish me luck!