In order to facilitate research work, Yacutinga Wildlife & Nature Reserve built its own Biological Station (E-Bio) in 2004; furthermore, to improve the accommodation facilities of researchers and volunteers, the Reserve built the “Jaguar Camp” (Camp) in 2006. Therefore, visitors have two clearly defined areas: a work area (E-Bio) and an accommodation area (Camp) 80 mts away from each other. Both buildings are 3 km away from the lodge area Location.

¤ Yacutinga Biological Station (72 mt2) facilities:
• 2 offices;
• Meeting area / sitting room;
• Specialized library (under construction);
• Work area;
• Lab area;
• Toilet;
• First aid kit;
• Fire extinguisher;
• VHF radio for emergencies;
• No electricity;
• Extra facilities (that could be used under special conditions) that require confirmation: “raft” boat, canoes, VHF radios, local guide assistance.

¤ Jaguar Camp (180 m2) facilities:

¤ Ground Floor
• Large sitting-room with a big fire place;
• 4 Toilets;
• 4 Showers;
• Kitchen equipped with refrigerator and freezer (gas-operated) and basic cooking equipment;
• Fire extinguisher;
• No electricity.

¤ First Floor
• 2 rooms with capacity for 12 people each;
• Lockers (under construction);
• Storage area (only to be used by Yacutinga Biological Station staff).

Specialized library (under construction)
Yacutinga Biological Station (E-Bio) intends to become a consulting source for the scientific and local community on topics like ecology, sustainable use and conservation of the subtropical rainforest in the north of Misiones province. Therefore, the E-Bio is building a themed library and welcomes donations of books, magazines or booklets/papers related to these topics. Please contact conservacion@yacutinga.net

Maps (under construction)
Yacutinga Biological Station (E-Bio) would like to provide researchers with illustrative material that can be useful for their field work. Therefore, different maps of the area are being compiled and offered to researchers conducting their field work at Yacutinga Wildlife & Nature Reserve.

Lists of species
Lists of species observed –directly or indirectly- at Yacutinga Wildlife & Nature Reserve were elaborated as a result of specific research work and direct observation made by Yacutinga staff. Thus, lists of mammals, birds, reptiles and butterflies were performed. It is expected that in the future, these lists will be improved and more lists will be elaborated for other groups of flora and fauna existing in the Reserve.

Collection of bone fragments
Yacutinga Biological Station (E-Bio) intends to start a collection of bone fragments of native vertebrates that serves as a reference for researches working not only in Misiones province but also in other provinces. Some osseous pieces are already available. The corresponding project has already been elaborated and material from animals found dead in the area or that were run over by traffic in the access roads near Yacutinga is also available.

Service tax
A minimum service tariff will be charged daily for the use of Yacutinga Biological Station / Jaguar Camp. Researchers and volunteers will be charged a different tariff. In order to know the amount you would have to pay, please contact conservacion@yacutinga.net

Service tax includes:

• Accommodation at the Jaguar Camp (Camp) in shared rooms;
• Use of the Camp facilities;
• Natural gas, hot water and drinking water;
• Use of the Yacutinga Biological Station (E-Bio) facilities;
• Access to e-mail (in the lodge area at pre-scheduled times);
• Life insurance during the time the visitor works at Yacutinga Reserve and in the transfer in/out in the Yacutinga Lodge vehicles;
• Transfer Yacutinga/Puerto Iguazú and vice versa (previous confirmation of dates and availability).

Extra services
The following extra services are optional to the visitors at Yacutinga Biological Station / Jaguar Camp, and are subject to availability. The costs of these services are not included in the “service tariff” mentioned above. If you require any of them or have any questions, please contact conservacion@yacutinga.net

• Rent of VHF radios for researchers;
• Rent of raft boat;
• Rent of canoes;
• Purchase of goods at Andresito village;
• Jeep 4WD available;

Donations/Needs
Yacutinga Biological Station and Jaguar Camp are relatively new and we are equipping them. Therefore, visitors may pay for the service tariff mentioned above by providing us with equipment we need in both buildings.

Many basic needs were identified for both buildings, but we accept suggestions according to the possibilities the researchers or institutions have to contribute with equipment. For example, a meteorological station, data logger (for temperature and relative humidity), GPS, binoculars, magnifying glasses, torches with rechargeable batteries, and solar panels are priorities at Yacutinga Biological Station in order to improve the facilities for future researchers.

The code of conduct sets out the appropriate behaviour that is expected from volunteers and researchers at Yacutinga Lodge and its Wildlife & Nature Reserve (YWNR).

The code is separated into three sections:

· General
· Relative to the project
· Relative to accommodation

Yacutinga Lodge and its Wildlife & Nature Reserve is fully committed to responsible volunteer/research work and sustainable tourism. Therefore, this code of conduct is designed to help you to assist us in our environmental projects with the aim of preserving our subtropical rainforest. It is also intended to make your stay well organized and safe. At the same time, it ensures that the organization and people we work with are treated with respect and that consideration is given to other cultural aspects during your stay.

Please note that breaches of the code of conduct may result in your stay being terminated without compensation.

General

You must:

1. Follow the instructions or requests of the Coordinator of Jaguar Camp (Camp) and Yacutinga Biological Station (E-Bio), or the person this Coordinator designates;
2. Understand that you are representing your country of origin and act accordingly;
3. Realize YWNR has a zero tolerance policy towards the possession and use of illegal substances. If you are found in possession of, or are under the influence of such substances, your contract will be terminated immediately. Legal actions can be instituted;
4. Respect, and try to understand the culture of the country you are visiting.  This involves being tolerant to the different ways of the local people socialize, their lifestyles, their concepts, their ethnic group, religion and other details that are worthy of respect to foster a polite and respectful human development (the Coordinator can explain the local cultural rules and advise you on this); 
5. Follow the rules of the project in which you are involved. Be aware of the fact that excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks is forbidden at YWNR;
6. Be aware of possible different attitudes towards sexual matters in the country in which you are doing volunteer/research work and understand the effect that any such attitude may have on individuals, our work organization, your work mates and the local community;
7. Treat everyone with respect and dignity;
8. Wear clothes appropriate to the culture you are living in;
9. Not engage in political or religious discussions or illegal activities;
10. Keep the Coordinator informed of any plans to travel or go out of YWNR (remember that life insurance only covers while you are inside Yacutinga Reserve and in the transfer in/out in the Yacutinga Lodge vehicles);
11. Let the Coordinator know about any health problem you may have;
12. Know that it is your sole responsibility to bring with you all specific medications you might need. Take into account that you will be in the middle of the rainforest with few possibilities to get specific medicines.

Relative to the project

You must:

1. Endeavor to maintain a positive attitude throughout your stay;
2. Act just as any member of the project team. You are relied on as a dedicated team member;
3. Abide by all the rules of the project at which you are working and respect the other team members;
4. Work hard to achieve not only your personal goals but also those of the project and the people and / or organization where you are participating;
5. Follow the instructions of the Camp/E-Bio Coordinator or the person this Coordinator designates;
6. Inform the Coordinator if at any time you are unable to fulfill the duties you have committed to perform;
7. Handle all the materials you use with care during your stay. Broken, deteriorated or lost material will have to be replaced by the person who carelessly used it.

Accommodation

You must:

1. Respect local habits and abide by the rules of the accommodation where you are staying;
2. Ask the Coordinator about the possibility of inviting someone;
3. Be aware that overnight visitors are not allowed;
4. Make proper use of the facilities you are using and pay for any damage you may cause to the property;
5. Keep the room clean and tidy;
6. Not smoke in your room;
7. Stay at the accommodation allocated to you. For safety reasons, you are not allowed to change the room you have been allocated;
8. Settle any extra payment before leaving the accommodation;
9. Pay for your service tariff as soon as you arrive at YWNR;
10. Be aware that, if you decide to go on trips or leave earlier than the dates agreed on in this document, there will be no refunds .

Date of arrival at YWNR: ___/ ___/ ___

Date of departure from YWNR: ___/ ___/ ___

Name: ___________________________________________

Institution ______________________________________________________

¤ Climate

The following information indicates weather characteristics at the Iguazú area throughout the year.

Important: Please note that weather conditions may vary. During the cold months -May, June, July, and August– it might be colder that expected.

¤ What to bring

Essential: VHF radio, sleeping bag (if you come during summer, bring also sheets), portable first aids kit, insect repellent, hat or cap, a good torch + rechargeable batteries (at the Lodge, located at 3 kilometers from the Biological Station, there is electricity to recharge your batteries).

Optional: mosquito net, binoculars and photo camera.

Clothing: Super comfortable (Cotton fabric suggested) Long trousers, long sleeved shirts and rubber boots for field-work. Bermudas, T-Shirts and tennis shoes for the Camp. Raincoat, swim suit, sun screen. Towels and any other personal hygiene items. Medications (if applicable).

Remember that each visitor should bring their own food.

Important: if you come in summer you should bring leather polainas or any other protective element against ophidians (local people use knee length rubber boots).

¤ Medical issues / vaccination

We suggest contacting the Argentine embassy in your country to get official information about the recommended vaccinations.
We recommend immunization against Yellow fever and Tetanus, and if possible malaria tablets especially if you have plans to continue traveling and/or doing research in these areas (Argentina, Brazil and/or Paraguay).
The nearest medical assistance center (basic) from Yacutinga lodge is located at 7 miles. The nearest Hospital from Yacutinga Lodge is located in the Brazilian city of Foz do Iguazú, about 1h30m ride.
It is very important for us to know in advance of your arrival if you have any allergies or any other health problem we should be aware of in case of emergency situations (allergy to penicillin, diabetes, anticoagulant treatments, others).

¤ Life Insurance

Volunteers or researchers at Yacutinga Biological Station are required to have an insurance policy during the time they work at Yacutinga Reserve. The cost is included in the daily service tariff we charge for the use of the Camp and the Biological Station. We will make the insurance arrangement; therefore you must send us a scanned copy of the first page of your passport, so that the insurance company can have your personal information.

¤ Time

During most of the year Argentina and Brazil are three hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), during some weeks between Dec/Jan and Feb, there is a time difference of 1 hour between Brazil and Argentina.

Take this into account, especially if you are traveling from overseas and will arrive in this part of Argentina from Brazil.

¤ Electricity

Although Yacutinga Biological Station and Jaguar Camp have no electricity, we recommend that every visitor brings a torch with rechargeable batteries that can be recharged at the lodge area. For using the charger, have in mind that in Argentina electricity operates on 220 V. (50 cycles).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR RESEARCHERS!!

¤ Permits for conducting research projects at Yacutinga Wildlife & Nature Reserve

Presentation of all collection permits of any biological sample or any other activity requiring special authorization is a legal requirement, especially considering that we are in a Reserve.

Initiation of field work of any research project will not be authorized until the required permits, notifications and authorizations are presented.

With the aim of scheduling the use of the Biological Station by the different groups it is necessary to take into account the time required for the approval of a project and the time needed to submit the project to the Ministry of Ecology of Misiones to obtain the permits. Yacutinga Biological Station will have no responsibility in case rules are not observed by any researcher and could also initiate legal actions.