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PHOIBOS 2 Biosphere 2 Logistics
Feb. 16-20, 2016
Biosphere 2 (B2) is located on a remote campus near Oracle, Arizona, approximately 1 hour from both Tucson and Phoenix airports. There is no public transportation, but you should not need to go anywhere while there. If you are local and planning to drive, please try to carpool. I will send a separate email to local participants so you can arrange shared rides.
By now, you should have booked your flights and filled out your arrival and departure times on the RSVP form. We will be arranging shared shuttles to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and Tucson International Airport. We will do our best to minimize shuttle wait times, but please be prepared to wait up to several hours. Both airports have comfortable waiting areas inside and outside security and free wifi. Closer to the conference date, we will be sending you a shuttle schedule, with instructions on where to find the shuttle and how to pay (if necessary).
Lodging will be provided for all participants who are not commuting from Tucson or Phoenix. B2 has very comfortable casitas for guests. Each casita has a shared living area and kitchen plus 4-5 bedrooms. Bedrooms have a private bath, either in the room or directly across the hall. All casitas are non-smoking. You will have a private bedroom, unless you request a shared room. In the rooms, you have control of your own thermostat. All bedding, towels, soap, and shampoo are provided.
When you arrive at B2, please proceed to the visitor entrance. There will be someone on duty to check you in up to 9 or 10 PM. If you arrive after 10PM, a card key and instructions will be waiting for you on the counter of the visitor center.
In the event of emergency, you can call the B2 security guard at xxxxx or from the phone in the visitor center or at the gate.
If you have flight delays and will not arrive when planned, please call or text Ramona or send an email to rwalls_at_cyverse.org.
Please do not enter restricted areas while at B2 and try not to lock yourself out of your casita late at night.
We will provide all meals and snacks from dinner on the evening of Feb. 16 through breakfast on the day of Feb. 20. A vegetarian option will be available at all meals. If you have not yet sent us any dietary restrictions, please do so ASAP. B2 has a small coffee shop that is open during the day, but other than that, no food is available for purchase. We will try to keep a variety of snacks on hand so no one will go hungry, and you are welcome to bring your own snacks. A cash bar will be available in the evenings.
Daytime highs in February in Oracle usually range from 45 to 65° Fahrenheit (x-x° Celsius), while nighttime lows are generally 30-45° F (x-x° C). I recommend bringing at least a jacket. Rain is possible, but you should not need an umbrella, as walking distances are short. Even if it does rain, some sun is almost guaranteed. You may want a sun hatting for sitting outside at lunchtime and during breaks.
B2 is located at about 4000 feet elevation, at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The habitat is open mesquite woodland. There are several paths on the grounds for walking or running, and the scenery is spectacular. Birding can be quite good, depending on the weather.
If you are paying for your own room and board, you or your institution will be billed directly by B2.
If you are being reimbursed for travel expenses, you will receive instructions for submitting while at B2. If you have not yet sent in the CyVerse Travel Form, you can do so at B2. We will have blank copies available. International visitors, we will need to make a copy of your visa while at the workshop.