Selva Verde is in the process of developing a full time research facility providing infrastructure and resources to researchers and students in order to facilitate scientific discovery and discourse in key areas such as sustainable development, climate change, and academic and applied life science research.

These are very exciting times at Selva Verde as we welcome Mike Cove, the newest member of the Selva Verde Team, in the position of Research and Interpretation Coordinator. Mike will be instrumental in getting many research projects and activities started on the ground and begin sharing them with our guests. He will be working closely with the staff at Selva Verde and at Holbrook Travel to set us on a trajectory toward success in this new and thrilling process to further develop our commitment and contribution to the conservation and prosperity of the rainforest, the wildlife, and the community of the Sarapiqui.

Mike will be working on developing long term research projects relevant to the Sarapiqui community with the assistance of the Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center; projects such as water testing, carnivore observation, reforestation, and other studies which can be shared with visitors in presentations and citizen science activities, and contributed to by academic classes. He will also help to build interpretation and activity module materials to be utilized by school and special interest groups, and will work with researchers and educators who come to the lodge during his tenure, networking and generating advanced opportunities for our continued growth through alliances with academic researchers, instructors, and institutions.

We hope to provide you with ever more opportunities as we work together to protect the rainforest and promote learning and understanding of our invaluable natural resources.

Join us in welcoming Mike to the Holbrook and Selva Verde team!

Michael Cove, M.S.
m.cove3@gmail.com
Mike Cove is excited to join the Selva Verde staff as the Research and Interpretation Coordinator. Mike received a B.S. in animal science and ecology/evolution from the University of Connecticut. After working as a zookeeper, he continued his education at the University of Central Missouri as a M.S. candidate and research assistant. Mike first came to Costa Rica in 2009 to develop his thesis using camera traps to monitor mammal diversity and assess habitat relationships in the San Juan – La Selva Biological Corridor. He has collaborated on research projects pertaining to various taxa including medium-sized carnivores, sea turtles, and shorebirds which have been presented at regional, national, and international conferences. He is looking forward to expanding and developing the conservation research and interpretation program at Selva Verde.

https://www.selvaverde.com/lang/en/selva_verde_savegre.php

Going somewhere else after visiting us at Selva Verde? Check the listings at www.packforapurpose.org to see if you can bring something to the community there!

She is studying variations in bird populations relating to different types of forest management. In order to compare the density and occurrence of bird species in both logged and undisturbed areas, she will be making observations in 11 sites in the Sarapiqui Canton. Utilizing Selva Verde’s primary forest reserve as a source site of undisturbed forestland, she has compiled data based on visual observance and by making recordings of early morning birdsongs, later listening and recording the birds in her notes. Her count includes several species of birds, which she can compare to counts in other areas in the region with different land management policies.

Her aim is to assess changes in animal populations due to the impact of timber harvesting. She will be able to use this analysis to gain a better understanding of the efficacy of selective logging used in efforts to reduce wildlife population decline due to disturbance and loss of habitat generated by conventional logging. By comparing avian populations in the differently managed forests, she will be able to offer insight into the sustainability of selective logging, which has become a trend in sustainable economic production.

In abstract: In order to make sustainable forest management a competitive business while also a viable option for the maintenance of wildlife, it is necessary to monitor, quantify, and asses changes in animal populations due to the impact of logging.

Some of the bird species she has observed while at Selva Verde:

Penelope purpurascnes, Doliatus thamnophilus, Pipra mentalis, Trogon Massena, Thryothorus thoracicus, Myrmeciza exsul, Guetemalensis campephilus, Candeia Manacus, Sanctithomae dendrocolaptidae

Thank you Adriana for your observations and your contribution to wildlife conservation!