Conduct Field Research at a Top 36 Biodiversity Hotspot
3,600 hectares of intact tropical forest at the narrowest point of the Americas. MVP partners with researchers, universities, museums, and field-grant teams across the neotropics.
Plan Your Field Season View CapabilitiesTrusted Field Partner
20 years of conservation in Panama. Long-term ecological data, established permitting workflows, and a clear track record with academic and museum partners.
Full Neotropical Biodiversity
130 mammals, 420 birds, 70 amphibians, 80 reptiles, 800 butterflies, 2,800 plants — including IUCN Red List species across all major taxa.
Logistics & Permits Supported
Visa letters, local research-permit support, on-site lodging, transport from Panama City, and field assistance from the Mamoní Guardians team.
Why MVP for your field research
Mamoní Valley Preserve sits inside a 11,700-hectare watershed at the narrowest point of the Americas — a critical wildlife corridor in the Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena hotspot, one of only 36 biodiversity hotspots on Earth. The preserve is just 25 miles from Panama City.
Research types we support:
- Mammalogy — camera-trap studies, mesocarnivore monitoring, jaguar / puma / ocelot research
- Ornithology — mist-netting, point counts, neotropical migrant studies
- Herpetology — amphibian declines, harlequin toad work, reptile inventories
- Botany — plant inventories, phenology, restoration ecology
- Entomology — butterfly transects, beetle / ant biodiversity, pollinator studies
- Climate & soil — carbon flux, microclimate monitoring, hydrological studies
- Conservation social science — community-based conservation
We also welcome field courses, museum collaborations, and long-term monitoring partnerships.
Field station capabilities
Lodging
On-site cabins / dormitory accommodation for visiting researchers and field teams.
Access
25 miles from Panama City. Road access to the preserve. Transport coordination from Tocumen International Airport (PTY).
Work space
Field work space for sample processing and equipment storage. Generator-backed power.
Connectivity
Satellite / cellular internet at base camp for data transfer and team communications.
Permitting support
Letter of support for Panama Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) research permits and CITES applications.
Local team
Field assistance from the Mamoní Guardians team — local rangers with deep knowledge of the preserve.
Plan your field season
Tell us about your research interest, proposed dates, and institution. Our team will follow up within 5 business days.
Common research questions
Does MVP charge for field-station use?
We use a sliding-scale model based on team size, length of stay, and research scope. Field-grant-funded teams are typically asked to include MVP as a line-item in their budget; community-aligned projects are negotiated case-by-case.
Will MVP serve as a co-applicant on field grants?
Yes — MVP frequently serves as a co-applicant on NSF, NERC, DFG, NatGeo, and other neotropical field-research grants. Letters of support are provided at no cost.
How long does research-permit support take?
Plan 60–120 days for Panama Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) research permits. We strongly recommend contacting us at least 6 months before your planned field season.
Can undergraduates / REU students conduct research at MVP?
Yes — MVP hosts undergraduate field courses, REU sites, and study-abroad programs in partnership with university departments.
