On August 1st through 22nd of this year, Sharon Bladholm will participate in an expedition of ecological assessment centering on the Rio Pastaza region of Peru which will be organized by Aquarap and sponsored by Conservation International and the Field Museum of Chicago. This Aquarap expedition promises to be exciting in terms of both the scientific discoveries and opportunities for conservation impact. This region of the upper Amazon is poorly known and has great potential to yield high numbers of both plant and animal species many of which have never been collected before. The increasing threat of development from oil companies and human settlements makes this area a high priority for rapid assessment.

Aquarap surveys gather the maximum amount of information about a fresh water system in the minimum amount of time. This information is then disseminated via the internet and written reports with the intention to affect policy making in constructing better conservation methodologies. Aquarap expedition leader, Barry Chernoff, will be heading an international team composed of specialists in the study of fish, aquatic and terrestrial plants, crustaceans, inverterbrates and issues of limnology.

Sharon will be joining the team to create on-side drawings of the numerous species being collected from the Rio Pastaza as well as the larger habits that they exist in. These drawings will be the foundation for a large of artwork which will be expanded upon back in her studio in both two dimensional and three dimensional forms and utilized for the purpose of helping support future programs and expeditions. Check back in the future to see actual drawings from the expedition and to learn more about subsequent artwork and related events.

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