Improvements to El Verde Field Station, Puerto Rico

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The El Verde Field Station, Puerto Rico, is a long-established research facility in the only Neotropical rain forest under the jurisdiction of the United States. The field station is located in the Caribbean National Forest, which is an Experimental Forest, a Biosphere Reserve, a participating component of the University of Puerto Rico Minority Research Center of Excellence, and the site of the Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research Program. For over 30 years, the field station and adjoining research area have been the focus of projects by scientists from more than 50 institutions in the United States and other countries. Current research projects are funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the USDA Forest Service. Research and living facilities at the El Verde Field Station date to the 1930s and their current size restricts ongoing research activities. Living space for researchers consists of four dormitory rooms with 28 beds with little space available for personal effects. A single self-service kitchen serves all visitors. Communication from the field station is limited to a radio connection with San Juan, a cellular phone, and a telephone line located three kilometers from the field station. There is no capability for data transfer or Internet connection. previous NSF grant supported development of,a master plan for improvements to El Verde Field Station. This project will enact the first of four phases describe in the El Verde Field Station Master Plan. The project will provide the construction visitor's cabin and provide a modern voice and electronic communications system. Matching funds provided by the University of Puerto Rico will be used to construct additional kitchen and dining facilities for visitors and improve the physical plant of the station.