2026 Dates
2 week terrestrial only – 17 June – 30 June
2 week terrestrial only – 29 July – 11 August
4 weeks terrestrial only – 1 July – 28 July
Cusuco cloud forest biodiversity research
Your expedition will take place in the spectacular cloud forests of Cusuco National Park, Honduras, which is ranked in the top 50 most irreplaceable biodiversity sites in the world and is therefore a major conservation priority. You will spend time in both our main base camp, but also our more remote forest camps where you will get a real jungle experience! As well as learning about the ecology of the cloud forests and their conservation importance, you will work alongside a large team of scientists on projects including forest structure and carbon storage capacity, butterfly trapping, amphibian and reptile transect surveys, bird point count and mist net surveys, fungi surveying, large mammal surveys from camera trapping and bat surveys from mist netting and soundscaping. This is the most published team of forest researchers from all the Opwall sites, so a great place to learn a range of forest survey techniques and how to analyse these data sets.
Note: There may also be the opportunity to learn how to access and undertake surveys in tree canopies. This is an optional extra course costing $170 provided by Canopy Access Ltd and you can do this half day practical instead of one of the other practicals being offered.
The cloud forests of Central America are some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the world, their unique microclimates supporting large numbers of species found nowhere else on the planet. Unfortunately, these cloud forests are also amongst the most threatened ecosystems globally, facing great pressures from habitat loss, climate change, hunting, and disease.
Cusuco National Park in Honduras is a classic example of an extraordinarily unique ecosystem that is also under great environmental pressure. The Opwall survey teams have worked here since 2003 and have recorded so many species (including 42 new to science) that the Park is now listed as one of the top 50 most irreplaceable protected areas in the world (based on a review of 173,000 sites worldwide). Unfortunately, this biodiversity is also at risk from a multitude of threats. As well as supporting an extremely active research program (with >140 research papers published to date), the datasets collected by the Opwall teams are also being used to underscore the global importance of the Park, supporting large conservation grant applications that will be necessary to secure the future of this completely unique, yet highly imperilled, cloud forest ecosystem.
Most of our volunteers fundraise for their expedition costs. Find out more.
Climate
In the cloud forest of Cusuco National Park it can get warm in open areas (temperatures up to 20 degrees Celsius) but much cooler in the shade of the forest. Overnight the temperature can drop below 10 degrees Celsius at higher altitudes. It rarely rains in the morning but it regularly rains late in the afternoon and overnight.
Fitness level required
Medium – High in Cusuco. You will need to hike from camp to camp for up to 5 hours with your backpack over steep terrain.
Creature comforts
Facilities in Cusuco are very basic (tents, hammocks, river showers, basic trench toilets). There is no cell phone signal in Cusuco National Park and very limited satellite internet available through a communal laptop at Base Camp.
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