MARIANO CRUZ RODRIGUEZ

Private Naturalist and Birding Guide, Monteverde, Costa Rica             1991 - present
Work as a privately contracted guide in Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves and other wildlife refuges. Tours cover natural history and ornithology with an emphasis on ecosystems.

Guide, Casa Corcovado Lodge, San Pedrillo, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica                                   1997
Worked guiding lodge guests on natural history, indigenous history and birding tours to Corcovado and Caño Island National Parks

Tour Guide, Conversa Language School, San José, Costa Rica                                       1995 - 1997
Lead group tours through areas of interest in Costa Rica, including: Manuel Antonio,
Santa Rosa, Palo Verde and Rincón de la Vieja National Parks, Lankaster  Botanical  Gardens,
Irazu, Poás and Arenal Volcanos.

Hiking Guide, Costa Rica Sun Tours                                                                                     1995 - 1998
Lead   hiking trips from Monteverde to Arenal Volcano, crossing through  remote area on unmarked trails. Cover topics pertaining to botany, ornithology and Indigenous history of the region.

Hiking Guide, Arabella Tours                                                                                                2000 - 2001
Lead hiking tours crossing remote areas and do camping out in the jungle area between Monteverde - Arenal Volcano.

Adventure  Guide, The Original Canopy Tour Monteverde                                                 1994 - 1997
Guided groups on adventure tour through the forest canopy using climbing gear. Hanging in a harness, Participants glide across fixed ropes stretched between tree platforms 20 - 33 m in elevation and rappel down to the ground.

 Manager, Island Kayaks Granada Nicaragua                                                                                       2002
 Managing Tours and sales for Island Kayaks at Granada Nicaragua.
 Tours base on Ornithology and History of the area.

Bird watching Tours at Nicaragua, gave tours base on avifauna of the area and natural history.
Using  spotting scopes, binoculars, digital cameras and other equipment.

Naturalist Guide, Boston Film Productions                                                                        2002-present
Guide the Film crew and help on scouting locations as giving information for the script as well
for a film base on New Tropical  Rain Forest.

Administrator, Tranquilo’s Communications Monteverde C.R.                                          2001 –2002
work managing an internet cafe and taking pictures for websites with Sony Mavica Digital Cameras.

Naturalist Guide, Rain Forest Aerial Tram Caribbean                                                           2002 – 2004
Guide for groups giving natural  history  into the Aerial tram and trails, also taking groups  from San Jose to the Tram in a private bus groups:  5 till 40 people.

Naturalist Guide, Rain Forest Aerial Tram  Pacific                                                                  2003
Guide for groups giving natural  history  into the Aerial tram and trails.

Naturalist Guide, Pachira Lodge Tortuguero – Caribbean                                                     2004 – present
Leading groups from San Jose City in three days two nights trip, giving 
Natural and Cultural history along the way and also doing   natural history walks
In the water canals and trails at Tortuguero National Park

Birdwatcher Guide, Asuaire Travel, Limon                                                                           2005 – present
Guide bird watching groups from the Cruise ships to Bocuare preserve at Valle La
Estrella.

Birdwatching and Nature guide, Ecodestination  Costa Rica                                               2005 – present
Leading field trips with school students from U.S.A. focusing on Educational – Ecology
Talk all over Costa Rica.

RESEARCH PROJECTS  
Group Leader, Christmas Bird Count  Fila Costera, Hacienda Baru                                2005 - present

Group Leader, Christmas Bird Count  Rain Forest Aerial Tram Caribbean                     2002 – 2003

                                                                                  
Participant                                                                                                                              1998
Research project base on behavior of Peregrine Falcons on nest using spotting scopes and JPC.
Coordinator Mark D. at Acadia National Park, Maine U.S.A.

Participant                                                                                                                       1994 - present                                                                                                                                               
Research project on distribution and behavior of Bellbirds, Quetzals, Black Guans and black -Breasted wood - Quails, Coordinator: George Powell.

Research Assistant, University of Costa Rica                                                                              1997
Project investigating bird speciation in forest, pasture and foliage. Responsibilities including monitoring food source and territoriality. Puriscal, Costa Rica

Group Leader, Christmas Bird Count                                                                                    1994 -present
Organization for Tropical Studies, La Selva and Monteverde area.

Group Leader, Christmas Bird Count   at  Monteverde Cloud Forest                                   1994 – present
                                                                                   

Independent study, birds in Nesting Season                                                                          1991 - present
Observed courting, mating and nesting behaviors of Silver - Throated Tanager, Black -faced Solitaire and Resplendent Quetzal.

Independent Study, Hummingbird Nesting                                                                            1992 - 1993
Observed nesting behaviors of various Purple -Throated Mountain-gem individuals.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Instructor, Rain Forest Aerial Tram Pacific                                                                                    2003
Training guides on ornithology, with history about several species of the region.

Lecturer, Ornithology Clubs in U.S.A.                                                                                            1998
Gave talks about the avifauna of Costa Rica using slide projectors, thouse were gave in six states of U..S.A.  at the New England Area.

Instructor Ornithology Club, University of Costa Rica                                                                             1997
Gave talks and led field trips to observe the avifauna of different areas of Costa Rica. Groups consisted of
10 -15 adults, including university students.

Assistant Instructor, Red Cross of Abangares, Alpinism Team                                                 1997 - 1999
Helped conduct workshops on wilderness rescue using alpinism equipment.

Lecturer, Santa Elena High School                                                                                                  1996
Gave talks on ornithology and led field trips with groups of high school students.

Assistant instructor, Outdoor Education, Santa Elena High school                                           1993 -1994
Assisted in teaching course on wilderness survival for high school students.

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
Volunteer, National Parks of Costa Rica                                                                                    1992-1993

Volunteer Coordinator,

Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve                                                                 1991-1993
Coordinated volunteers from around the world assisted in trail maintenance, ran gift shop and reception area, participated in research projects within the reserve, guided groups of tourists on both daytime and night-time tours.

COURSES
Seminar About Natural History of Costa Rica                                                                             2000
Environmental Education                                                                                                                           1998
Feline Behavior                                                                                                                                            1995
 Butterfly Migration                                                                                                                                     1993
Avifauna of Costa Rica                                                                                                                              1993
Alpine Rescue                                                                                                                                              1991
Boy Scout Leaders                                                                                                                                      1989

 University of Costa Rica, Lankester Botanical Gardens
     Medicinal Plants                                                                                                                                     1996
     Avifauna of Costa Rica                                                                                                                          1993

University of California at Monteverde Costa Rica
     Butterfly Life Cycle and Migration                                                                                                      1996

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS
     Monteverde Guides Association                                                                                 1997- Present
     American Birding Association                                                                                 1998- Present
    
SPECIAL SKILLS
Alpinism and wilderness rescue, orienteering, bird banding, short-wave radio use.