Radford Amazonian or Appalachian Research Expedition

The RARE program offers students from across campus a unique opportunity to conduct hands-on scholarship in their personal area of study, deep within the most biodiverse places on earth. As members of the RARE team, our adventurous students craft their custom research projects, exploring the incredible ecosystems and cultures of either the Peruvian Amazon or the deep Appalachian Mountains. Working under the guidance of a rotating team of talented and committed Radford faculty from various disciplines, our students utilize their academic expertise to develop a deeper understanding of the systems and structures that comprise these incredible places.

RARE students develop their expertise not just as explorers but as scholars and professionals in their fields. Through this work, they expand their skills in project development, critical thinking, on-the-job troubleshooting, and engagement with the larger world. They present their findings at both the RARE symposium in the fall and at various conferences and symposia around the country and the world.

The discoveries made by RARE students enhance our understanding of the world and ourselves, leading to new developments in fields such as health, ecology, the arts, education, and many others. Unfortunately, this experience is limited by cost due to the remote areas of our work and the difficulties of traveling there. Your donation will help students to continue pushing the boundaries of their world and ours by providing access to an unparalleled opportunity for discovery and innovation.

INDIVIDUAL STUDENT COSTS

A donation in any of these amounts could alleviate the following:

• $50 – rental fees for a complete set of camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, backpack)
• $75 – one day of room and board at the Blue Ridge Discovery Center
• $125 – one day of room and board at the Junglekeepers field station in Madre de Dios, Peru
• $150 – research supplies and consumables for one student research project
• $1,500 – plane ticket to Puerto Maldonado, Peru

GROUP EXPENSES

• $75 – van fuel for one day of travel in the Appalachian Mountains
• $200 – medical supply donation for Lucerna, our local host village in Madre de Dios, Peru
• $600 – Kayak and canoe rental for travel on the Clinch River
• $1,500 – equipment shipping to/from Las Piedras Field station

Please consider making this opportunity more accessible to additional students by reducing the financial commitment with your donation today!