About Keishla Almodovar
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Transcript of About Keishla Almodovar
What You Don’t Know About
“The only thing new in the world is the history you do not know”
Harry S. Truman
I am from a small community on the Southern coast of Puerto Rico, where I grew up surrounded by unique environments, plants, animals, and more…
Guanica, Puerto Rico
The Guanica Dry Forest, an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, was my backyard (literally!)
While living in a Biosphere Reserve, I received a B.S. in Environmental Technology w/ a minor
in Biology
I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.50 GPA
Biology Building aka My 2nd Home
Since graduation I have been involved with several groups in conservation biology and
environmental efforts
Effects of Climate Change on Plants
Dr. Betsy von HolleAsst. Professor & National Science Foundation
Program Director
&Indian River Lagoon Plant
RestorationDr. Linda Walters
Biology Professor Endangered Puerto Rican Crested Toad Conservation
Identifying and Analyzing Central Florida Invasive Plants
Debi StoneRestoration Steward
Central Florida Bird MonitoringLake Watch Water Quality Aquatic Plant Restoration
Eleanor FoersteNatural Resources Extension Faculty
What EXACTLY did I do at the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico??
1) Rescue the Puerto Rican Crested Toad
A Critically Endangered Species
Capture and Relocate the Cane Toad (Bufo marinus)
We caught the cane toads at night, recorded their location with GPS and also their biostatistics, such as weight, length, sex, etc.
Then we relocated them far away from where we planned to release Crested Toad tadpoles
A New, Predator-Free Pond for the Crested Toad
We made a man-made pond to release Crested Toad tadpoles
We measured the water quality, including turbidity, temperature, oxygen, pH, & salinity
Also we measured the ambient temperature and weather using field instrumentation
Then we released 25, 434 (give or take one or two) tadpoles into the new pond
2) Map of Life
The Map of Life is a huge project to determine the most ecologically valuable areas of the islands of Puerto Rico. It has been on-going since 2010.
I supervised and led several small groups performing surveys of plants, trees, reptiles, birds, and insects.
The data was analyzed and compiled into a massive database of all the known plants, animals, and insects on the island.
What am I doing NOW at the University of Florida-Institue of Food and Agriculture
Sciences?
LAKEWATCH
Florida LAKEWATCH is a citizen volunteer lake monitoring program that facilitates "hands-on" citizen participation in the management of Florida lakes, rivers and coastal sites through monthly monitoring activities.
I help collect water samples from Florida rivers, lakes, and ponds via kayak to be used to test water chemistry, bacterial levels, clarity, and more.
Along with collecting water samples, we also monitor invasive aquatic plants and algal levels.
Bird Monitoring Many bird species are known to associate with Florida's lakes. As
Florida's wetlands continue to be altered or destroyed, the need to understand better the value of these take systems to aquatic bird communities is of increasing importance.
As part of the aquatic bird survey project, I conduct surveys using transects to identify and record bird species found at different Central Florida rivers, lakes, and ponds.
I have also translated a guide to surveying birds into Spanish for the University of Florida.
Where I want to go…
I want to work where I can have an impact on the environment. It doesn’t matter whether it’s in my community or on a global scale!
Where I’m not stuck inside all day. I want to be able to work outside and get my hands dirty, at least part of the time.
Summary Experience
Environmental Restoration Conservation Biology
Languages Used on the Job
English Spanish
Certifications
Wetland Conservation (Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico)
2 year
s
Projects I’ve Worked on
48%
23%
17%
12%
Plant Restoration Wildlife ConservationFlora & Fauna Surveys Water Quality
4 year
s
If you’re interested in working together or just want to talk further:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (407) 489-7583
Website: www.kalmodovar.com