Fieldwork gear – Do you have what you need?

Are you ready to leave for your fieldwork season? Or maybe are you planning your next trip? Are you sure that you have all the gear that you need? You can check out our list of suggested equipment here

In a nutshell, here are some examples of gear that most of us need in the field.

DIGITAL CAMERAS

Remember to take your camera with you, everywhere! It is important to record your memories in a notebook format, but taking pictures is a fun and easy way to visually capture fieldwork sites, plant specimens, and any memory that you may want to share with your friends and family! Depending on your needs and interests, you may want to look into more advanced camera with macro or wide angle lenses for example. Make sure to bring enough memory cards and protect your gear from the rain!

WATER BOTTLES

There are different types of water containers such as Nalgene plastic jars and Klean Kanteen. Nalgene plastic jars are available in two types of plastics. One is flexible but the taste of the liquid stored will be affected and it will taste like plastic. The other type is harder and doesn’t have the same taste issue but is more brittle. If you don’t want to deal with plastic, you can go for Klean Kanteen. The water bottles are made of high quality, stainless steel.

GPS DEVICES

GPS devices come in a variety of sizes and prices. Many seem to rely on Garmin, but there are other brands that can comply with your specific needs.  For Europeans, Decathlon provides a variety of GPS devices for an affordable price (I bought a watch-shaped GPS for my fieldwork and found it very convenient and well made). A GPS device equiped with an external antenna will make the difference in forests. Also, make sure your model has a computer interface.

HAMMOCKS AND SLEEPING SHELTERS

Make sure to bring one or more mosquito nets if needed! In some places such as Brazil or in the Guianas, hammock is mandatory.  Good options are Premium Voyage hammocks with integrated
mosquito net, and for longer stays you may want to consider hand-woven hammock with a separate mosquito net. A light blanket or sleeping back will be useful during cooler nights.

FLASHLIGHTS AND ILLUMINATION

There is a variety of options available in terms of flashlights. The small and waterproof Mag-Lite flashlights are very handy, but make sure to bring extra halogen bulbs and don’t choose a black colored one or you will likely loose it in the dark! The hand-powered magneto and dynamo flashlights do not require batteries but have a magnet, so you will want to keep it away from your computer! Candles are another option, and they can be useful to chase mosquitoes! But there is much more  to know about this section so make sure to read the extensive discussion on flashlights and illumination here!

DAY PACKS AND PORTABLE PLANT PRESSES

It is very useful to have a backpack with a small compartment where you can store small items. Considering waterproof bags can come very handy when travelling in tropical forests or when canoeing! Have a look at Ortlieb waterproof pack! For serious field photographers, the “Orion Trekker” by LowePro is a good option to safely and efficiently storing photography equipment.

Concerning plant presses, you can choose to visit the Herbarium Supply (www.herbariumsupply.com) to have a look at their portable presses (seriously don’t carry the press like that — I smile but it hurts!).

MEDICAL KITS

Do not leave for the field without one! Make sure your immunizations are up to date and consult a healcare professional before leaving. A full list of medical items recomended from previous student’s experiences is provided here, but does not replace the medical advice of a professional! For some of these drugs, bring a copy of the document provided by the doctor
AND the recommendations of use. Customs sometimes ask for them!

DAILY USEFUL STUFF (ALWAYS GOOD TO REMEMBER!)

What else could you need? These items are always useful to have:

• Elastic bands
• Tape
• Rope to use as a clothesline or for other purposes.
• Sunscreen, 50/60 and waterproof. Aloe Gator gel sunscreen is great when you are sweating and/or
in the water and will last the whole day without reapplication.
• Sunglasses (in Europe, make sure you have the UE label. Favor categories 2 and 3).
• Sunhat (better than a baseball cap).
• Soap. Dr. Bronner’s is a great natural option and can serve as body soap, dish soap, toothpaste,
and shampoo, among other purposes.
• Baby wipes or handkerchief.
• Trash bags to secure your stuff in the rain.
• Sewing kit to fix holes in hammocks, mosquito nets.
• Synthetic towels (Europe: ‘serviette polaire’, Decathlon).
• A stash of nuts or energy bars can be useful to have as a backup food supply.

Click here to read more about:

SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS

BINOCULARS

HUMIDITY AND WET CONDITIONS

TREE CLIMBING EQUIPMENT

COMPASSES

INSECTS

PAPER AND NOTE-TAKING

BOOTS