Yanayacu Natural History
Research Group
Describing
the natural history of tropical biodiversity
The idea for theYanayacu Natural History Research Group (YYNHRG)
actually began in 1993 when Mitch Lysinger (Hacienda San Isidro,
Ecuador), Tom R. Walla (Mesa State College, Colorado), and Harold F.
Greeney (Yanayacu Biological Station, Ecuador) were all working in
the Ecuadorian Amazon as tourist guides and simultaneously carrying
out studies for Dr. Phil J. DeVries (Univ. New Orleans). They all at
different phases of their careers, but all shared the idea that
modern science placed too little emphasis on organisms, and
understanding the day to day life of the myriad of creatures which
surrounded them in the tropical forest where they worked. As each
young biologists moved foreward in their careers, they began to meet
many others with similar feelings. Mitch stayed in Ecuador to
continue educating the world on the wonders of Ecuador's avifauna as
a guide for Field Guides. Tom went on to graduate school and
then began to teach the next generation through college field courses
to Ecuador. Harold continued his education then returned to Ecuador
in 1999 to begin the Yanayacu
Biological Station next to Hacienda
San Isidro in north eastern Ecuador. While interacting with
Ecuadorian and foreign researchers and students at Yanayacu, Harold
soon realized that there was an urgent need to begin unifying
biologists and concerned individuals. A need to work towards the
common goal of bringing value back to the roots of biological
science, Natural History. In 2002, Harold, W. Chris Funk, Rob C.
Dobbs, and Paul R. Martin began the Yanayacu Natural History Research
Group. At this time it consisted of a small group of friends, but has
since begun to grow into an entity of its own. Many friends and
collaborators have since aided them in their endeavors, and today the
YYNHRG is quickly growing into an international organization of
natural historians.
It would be impossible to thank everyone who has touched the lives
of the YYNHRG members, but we
would like to highlight a few people who have generously given of
their time and love to make our dreams a reality.
Undying gratitude to: Carmen Bustamante, Mauricio Bustamante,
Simon Bustamante, Rafael Cassola, Hal and Jeanette Greeney, Shireen
Greeney, Jill Hayhurst, Scott Kerr, Pancho Sornoza, Bill Ward
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