Fieldwork @ WEEL
Fieldwork with the Wetlands Ecosystem Ecology Lab (WEEL) is a great way to get some field ecology experience and contribute to a long-term understanding of ecological dynamics of urban wetlands in the Phoenix Metro Area. Below is some more information on what to expect when you join us for a day of fieldwork. Please note that all fieldwork participation must be coordinated before hand with the lab manager (Julia Hernandez). If you would like to get involved, please visit our Contact Us page to get in touch.
What to expect
Conducting urban wetlands research often means spending time navigating through, well, urban wetlands! We conduct a variety of different kinds of sampling and data collection, including primary productivity estimates, water quality sampling, and measurements of marsh gas flux. In almost all cases, we will be spending time in waterproof waders walking through a vegetated marsh that includes lots of dense vegetation, and approximately knee-deep water. Importantly, while we take all precautions and measures to ensure the safety and well being of our students and volunteers, weather exposure is a natural part of field work. Coming properly prepared is essential to a safe and fun fieldwork experience for all participants. For more information on our research approaches and and overview of our methods, please see our Tres Rios Research Page.
How to prepare
|
Clothing
Please dress appropriately - imagine you are going for an early morning hike. In particular, here are suggested items:
Summer months (May-September): there is little direct shade at Tres Rios, and weather conditions can be strenuous. Plan accordingly to bring and use clothing that can help keep you cool and keep the sun off of your skin. Winter months (October-March): air and water temperatures in the early morning at Tres Rios can be quite cold, often more than in surrounding urban areas. Plan accordingly to bring and use clothing layers that can help keep you warm. |
Typical marsh conditions in which you will be wading and working at the Tres Rios Wetlands.
|
Food
Snacks or a small lunch is recommended. As fieldwork can be moderately physically demanding and weather conditions harsh, bringing more than you think you will need is recommended. We will take periodic snack and water breaks.
Water
Please bring a reusable water bottle. Hydration is very important out in the field in summer. We will have a 7 gallon water cooler filled and available for refills.
Allergies
Pollen and seed levels can be very high inside the marsh, especially throughout the summer months. If you are sensitive to plant pollen, consider keeping some allergy medication on you, and bringing a bandana to keep your nose and mouth covered while we work.
General Health
Be sure to get plenty of rest and hydration the night before your scheduled field work. Lack of sleep and exhaustion can worsen symptoms or effects of overexposure to cold and hot. If you are not feeling well and have a cold or flu, please prioritize rest and recovery, and simply let the lab manager know you cannot make it as soon as possible (contact information will be provided by email).
Snacks or a small lunch is recommended. As fieldwork can be moderately physically demanding and weather conditions harsh, bringing more than you think you will need is recommended. We will take periodic snack and water breaks.
Water
Please bring a reusable water bottle. Hydration is very important out in the field in summer. We will have a 7 gallon water cooler filled and available for refills.
Allergies
Pollen and seed levels can be very high inside the marsh, especially throughout the summer months. If you are sensitive to plant pollen, consider keeping some allergy medication on you, and bringing a bandana to keep your nose and mouth covered while we work.
General Health
Be sure to get plenty of rest and hydration the night before your scheduled field work. Lack of sleep and exhaustion can worsen symptoms or effects of overexposure to cold and hot. If you are not feeling well and have a cold or flu, please prioritize rest and recovery, and simply let the lab manager know you cannot make it as soon as possible (contact information will be provided by email).
Location
Our lab is located in the center of the ASU Tempe campus in the Life Sciences A (LSA) building. We are in room LSA201, which is at the southeast corner of the second floor of LSA. The street address is: 451 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ, 85281.
Parking
Meeting at the WEEL lab space
There are a number of pay-to-park lots around the ASU Tempe Campus, some closer to the lab than others. Here’s a map of some of them. Just as a reminder, we are in Life Sciences A (LSA):
https://www.asu.edu/map/interactive/?campus=tempe&building=MU&_ga=2.55837225.366398590.1530826622-945607939.1529481019
Lot 44 and Lot 46 are the closest open parking lots to our lab, and the Tyler Street Garage is fairly close and has visitor parking as well. Each of these lots or structures charge an hourly rate.
There is also a hourly-rate parking garage at the bottom of the Residence Inn Mariott hotel on Forest Ave and 5th St. The entrance is on the north side of the building, on 5th St. It’s a short (~10 min) walk to the lab from there. The street address is: 510 S Forest Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281.
There are a number of pay-to-park lots around the ASU Tempe Campus, some closer to the lab than others. Here’s a map of some of them. Just as a reminder, we are in Life Sciences A (LSA):
https://www.asu.edu/map/interactive/?campus=tempe&building=MU&_ga=2.55837225.366398590.1530826622-945607939.1529481019
Lot 44 and Lot 46 are the closest open parking lots to our lab, and the Tyler Street Garage is fairly close and has visitor parking as well. Each of these lots or structures charge an hourly rate.
There is also a hourly-rate parking garage at the bottom of the Residence Inn Mariott hotel on Forest Ave and 5th St. The entrance is on the north side of the building, on 5th St. It’s a short (~10 min) walk to the lab from there. The street address is: 510 S Forest Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281.
Meeting at Tres Rios
Alternatively, depending on where you live it may be easier for you to meet us at the Tres Rios Wetlands. There is a small dirt public parking lot off of the west side of 91st Ave that is free to use, just south of the main entrance to Tres Rios. If you choose this option, please be sure to let the lab manager know in advance so we know where to expect to meet you. Here is the approximate address and location for the lot, you will know when you see it because there is a turn-off from 91st Ave, and a long bar-gate at the far end of the lot:
5862 S 91st Ave, Tolleson, AZ
https://goo.gl/maps/WPPBFxib47x
This is a very safe location that has not had issues in the past. That being said, as with any parking lot, leaving valuables in your car is not recommended.
Alternatively, depending on where you live it may be easier for you to meet us at the Tres Rios Wetlands. There is a small dirt public parking lot off of the west side of 91st Ave that is free to use, just south of the main entrance to Tres Rios. If you choose this option, please be sure to let the lab manager know in advance so we know where to expect to meet you. Here is the approximate address and location for the lot, you will know when you see it because there is a turn-off from 91st Ave, and a long bar-gate at the far end of the lot:
5862 S 91st Ave, Tolleson, AZ
https://goo.gl/maps/WPPBFxib47x
This is a very safe location that has not had issues in the past. That being said, as with any parking lot, leaving valuables in your car is not recommended.
