Dear colleagues, We would like to invite volunteers to join in the Berau marine vertebrates monitoring program in the Marine Park of Derawan Islands, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. The aim of this program is to protect a high diversity of marine vertebrates including cetaceans, turtles, whale sharks and manta rays. Besides raising awareness, engaging local communities in sustainable handycraft and ecotourism activities, part of the conservation program includes a long-term monitoring program of marine vertebrates in the area. Until now surveys are being conducted by the local NGO coordinated by Yayasan Konservasi RASI or the Conservation Foundation for Rare Aquatic Species of Indonesia (www.ykrasi.org) under guidance of Dr. Danielle Kreb and Ir. Budiono. However, additional ongoing monitoring is being conducted by involving both trained local fishermen and through an overseas volunteer/ Indonesian student monitoring program. Through earlier surveys it was found that the highest relative abundance of ceteaceans was found within 5km radius of islands or reefs, and therefore we also conduct coral reef monitoring at several locations by snorkling. We are looking for motivated volunteers/ students that are willing to engage in the program through a seven-day monitoring survey in the beautiful landscape of the Berau archipelago while being mostly based on the island of Maratua (day 1-7) but also three nights on Derawan Island (Day 8-10). After the first survey in June this will be the second survey for 2014 using overseas volunteers. Dates: 10-20 October 2014 (spaces available for 4 volunteers) Day by day schedule, qualifications for volunteers and costs involved can be downloaded from a flyer posted on our website at: http://www.ykrasi.org/coastal.html We are looking forward to your partcipation! Sampai jumpa, Danielle & Budiono Contact: Danielle Kreb (Ph.D) Member of IUCN/SSC/Cetacean Specialist Group Scientific Program Advisor, RASI Conservation Foundation Komplek Pandan Pandan Harum Indah C52 Samarinda 75124, Kalimantan Timur Indonesia Phone: office+ 62.541.744874; Mobile: + 62.81346489515 Web: http://www.ykrasi.org