Join the Friends of Jug Bay in Costa Rica in March 2023!
Travel to Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve, Cipanci Wildlife Refuge, & Palo Verde National Park in Guanacaste Costa Rica with the Friends of Jug Bay from March 1 through March 6, 2023, and spend a week immersed in astounding biodiversity. This all-inclusive* journey includes guided naturalist hikes, aquatic tractor rides surrounded by waterfowl, boat tours through the croc-filled Rio Tempisque, science lectures offered by expert park researchers and more!
In addition to the above activities, trip participants will have the opportunity to participate in an exclusive citizen science effort supporting the regionally endangered Jabiru, a stunningly large stork found in marshes and flooded fields throughout Costa Rica. Guided by in-country researchers and park staff, participants will spend one day of the trip gathering critical habitat and behavioral information about this species to better inform conservation and protection efforts into the future.
This is a fundraising trip with proceeds supporting both an intensive biodiversity assessment of Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve in 2023 and a staff exchange between Anne Arundel County rangers and Costa Rican park staff in fall 2023 as part of an international learning exchange between the two countries.
Price: $1,400 per person (10 participants)
*$700 required at registration to secure a spot, remaining $700 due by January 15, airfare not included.
***NOTE: Trip payments are 100% nonrefundable. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance with the "cancel for any reason" policy. A site we recommend is https://www.travelinsurance.com/.
Inclusions:
Lodging, meals, park entrance fees, activities, airport pick-up/drop-off & air-conditioned in-country transportation
Exclusions:
Flights, alcohol, mandatory travel/medical insurance, snacks and souvenirs
What We Support!
The Friends play an active role monitoring local land use changes that may impact the Sanctuary and the Patuxent River watershed. We also work with the local government and third parties to facilitate land preservation or acquisition.
The Friends provide paid internships to qualified university students who are majoring in environmental sciences and related fields. Interns conduct research or develop educational tools and programs under the supervision of a mentor, offering thema valuable opportunity to gain professional experience while contributing to the body of knowledge and resources of the Sanctuary.
Every summer, the Friends provide several scholarships to elementary and middle school students who otherwise would be unable to participate in the science summer camp programs at the Sanctuary.
The Friends assist with transportation costs each year for schools with limited budgets to bring students to the Sanctuary for fun, educational field trips geared toward meaningful outdoor experiences.
The Friends provide financial support for many stewardship programs including maintaining pollinator gardens, river and watershed clean ups, and controlling emerald ash borer and other invasive threats to Jug Bay ecosystems.
The Friends of Jug Bay provide financial support for Sanctuary volunteers and staff to participate in workshops and conferences that enhance their professional development and further the mission of the Sanctuary.
The Friends provide scientific and educational equipment (e.g., books, nets, water testing equipment, microscopes) that young school students, research interns, and citizen scientists use to do research and learn about wetland and terrestrial ecology. Equipment funded by the Friends includes books, nets, water testing equipment, microscopes, game cameras, radio telemetry gear, etc.
The Friends have helped fund special projects like renovating a 19th century house on the Glendening Nature Preserve. They have also assisted with financial and operational planning for the Patuxent River Conference and the Explore the Patuxent Teen Paddle.
Membership and Benefits
About the Board
The business of the Friends is conducted by a Board of Directors made up of members with strong backgrounds and passions in the natural sciences. The Board meets every month to decide how to raise and disperse funds, and to monitor issues that could affect the Sanctuary. The Board of Directors welcomes suggestions from members and encourages them to help with projects and committee activities.
To contact the Board please email info@friendsofjugbay.org

Tor Bjerknes
President

Blythe Alexander

Vacant
Vice President

Gwen Brewer

Elaine Friebele
Secretary

Darcy Herman

Al Tucker
Acting Treasurer

Anne Muecke
Annual Reports
The Friends present an annual report at the Friends of Jug Bay Annual Meeting in the spring of each year. We have made our 2019 and 2020 annual reports available online in lieu of a public meeting.
Help Fund Phase 2 Construction of the Jug Bay Education, Research & Discovery (JBERD) Field Station
The Friends of Jug Bay, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Anne Arundel County have funded nearly $1.3m to support Phase 1 construction of the Jug Bay Education, Research, and Discovery (JBERD) Field Station. Phase 1 will support the construction of overnight cabins and furniture, a bath house with restrooms and showers, and the creation of a master architectural plan for the field station.
We are asking for your help to raise funds for Phase 2 which will include construction of laboratory space, meeting areas, offices, kitchen, and dining room. A fully functional Field Station (Phase 1 and 2) will provide a relevant and sustainable value for the residents of Anne Arundel County, Maryland and the region in their care for the natural environment. Any amount you can give is greatly appreciated.