About Keishla Almodovar

What You Don’t Know About

“The only thing new in the world is the history you do not know”

Harry S. Truman

I am from a small community on the Southern coast of Puerto Rico, where I grew up surrounded by unique environments, plants, animals, and more…

Guanica, Puerto Rico

The Guanica Dry Forest, an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, was my backyard (literally!)

While living in a Biosphere Reserve, I received a B.S. in Environmental Technology w/ a minor

in Biology

I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.50 GPA

Biology Building aka My 2nd Home

Since graduation I have been involved with several groups in conservation biology and

environmental efforts

Effects of Climate Change on Plants

Dr. Betsy von HolleAsst. Professor & National Science Foundation

Program Director

&Indian River Lagoon Plant

RestorationDr. Linda Walters

Biology Professor Endangered Puerto Rican Crested Toad Conservation

Identifying and Analyzing Central Florida Invasive Plants

Debi StoneRestoration Steward

Central Florida Bird MonitoringLake Watch Water Quality Aquatic Plant Restoration

Eleanor FoersteNatural Resources Extension Faculty

What EXACTLY did I do at the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico??

1) Rescue the Puerto Rican Crested Toad

A Critically Endangered Species

Capture and Relocate the Cane Toad (Bufo marinus)

We caught the cane toads at night, recorded their location with GPS and also their biostatistics, such as weight, length, sex, etc.

Then we relocated them far away from where we planned to release Crested Toad tadpoles

A New, Predator-Free Pond for the Crested Toad

We made a man-made pond to release Crested Toad tadpoles

We measured the water quality, including turbidity, temperature, oxygen, pH, & salinity

Also we measured the ambient temperature and weather using field instrumentation

Then we released 25, 434 (give or take one or two) tadpoles into the new pond

2) Map of Life

The Map of Life is a huge project to determine the most ecologically valuable areas of the islands of Puerto Rico. It has been on-going since 2010.

I supervised and led several small groups performing surveys of plants, trees, reptiles, birds, and insects.

The data was analyzed and compiled into a massive database of all the known plants, animals, and insects on the island.

What am I doing NOW at the University of Florida-Institue of Food and Agriculture

Sciences?

LAKEWATCH

Florida LAKEWATCH is a citizen volunteer lake monitoring program that facilitates "hands-on" citizen participation in the management of Florida lakes, rivers and coastal sites through monthly monitoring activities.

I help collect water samples from Florida rivers, lakes, and ponds via kayak to be used to test water chemistry, bacterial levels, clarity, and more.

Along with collecting water samples, we also monitor invasive aquatic plants and algal levels.

Bird Monitoring Many bird species are known to associate with Florida's lakes. As

Florida's wetlands continue to be altered or destroyed, the need to understand better the value of these take systems to aquatic bird communities is of increasing importance.

As part of the aquatic bird survey project, I conduct surveys using transects to identify and record bird species found at different Central Florida rivers, lakes, and ponds.

I have also translated a guide to surveying birds into Spanish for the University of Florida.

Where I want to go…

I want to work where I can have an impact on the environment. It doesn’t matter whether it’s in my community or on a global scale!

Where I’m not stuck inside all day. I want to be able to work outside and get my hands dirty, at least part of the time.

Summary Experience

Environmental Restoration Conservation Biology

Languages Used on the Job

English Spanish

Certifications

Wetland Conservation (Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico)

2 year

s

Projects I’ve Worked on

48%

23%

17%

12%

Plant Restoration Wildlife ConservationFlora & Fauna Surveys Water Quality

4 year

s

If you’re interested in working together or just want to talk further:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (407) 489-7583

Website: www.kalmodovar.com