> I don't have much money, nor do I have much equipment. My equipment is ra=
ther a joke.
Being in the right place at the right time is more important than the equip=
ment. Publishable recordings can be made with quite economical gear.
> But I want to figure out how to travel around and record. So I just wante=
d to see what worked for others here in this group. What are the paths to t=
ake? Are there grants to apply for?
Happens occasionally, but rare. See next item.
> Research stations that need help? Environmental centers? I guess my bigge=
st questions are how to get funding and how to get to locations.
Are you in the U.S.A.? If so the national parks need volunteers to inventor=
y and monitor their soundscapes. Make friends with the people in the resour=
ces division of a national park. Ask them what soundscapes they would like =
documented. Start a personal longitudinal study of particular locations. Tu=
rn in raw files with documentation to the park. When your cred is establish=
ed you can get a research permit that allows you to camp in your recording =
locations. If you work with them regularly, you just might get hired to hel=
p when funding for a study comes.
> Or is this just something that you have to self-fund?
That's really how it is, 99% for me. I've made a few "relaxation CDs" that =
bring in a few dollars a month, and justify tax-deducting recording trips, =
but really my business funds my nature recording.
There are a few people in the world who do nature recording full-time. Like=
Chris Watson in England, Martyn Stewart here, Bernie Krause, Gordon Hempto=
n. It takes top skills, dogged determination, the best gear. For most of us=
it's a great hobby. Art + science + engineering + hiking and camping =3D b=
ig fun.
-Dan
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