International Field School, ENCS 465

South Africa and Botswana- 3-24 August 2009

Instructors

Wildlife Biology, Wetland Ecology - Lee Foote, PhD

Environmental Sociology, International Development; Naomi Krogman, PhD

Geology, Astronomy, Archaeology; Jim Schulz, MSc.

First Night Supper in Nyagoma Lodge

• This course was designed as experiential education. We immersed students in rich learning situations – often problem-based topics without clear answers.

• Daily campfire discussions.

• Students were assigned 220 pages of primary lit reading – Botswana’s history and ecological setting– Cultural dynamics– Sustainable use and governance– Resource management (elephants, diamonds)– Poverty and AIDS– Geology and dune development– Archaeology and evolution of humans

Students were evaluated and graded based on:

(1) individual oral exams with the 3 instructors

(2) Grading of their daily journals,

(3) Participation in discussions and field activities.

Sterkfontein Archaeology Tour

Evolution and the origins of the human species

Second night camping at Groot Marico Dam, South Africa

Night 3. Rough camp on Botswana’s Communal Lands – Range ecology

Contrasts of South African parks management with Alberta parks

Tshabong, Berrybush Farms

Desert ecology, cultural history with local expert Jill Thomas

Geology Lessons on the 3.7 Billion year old greenstone outcrop, pan formation, Craton and plate dynamics, weathering processes

Sunrise game viewing at Bosobogolo Pan. Soils and wildlife movements

Bosobogolo Pan, Mabushahue National Park

Hyenas chew my chair

Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park - Kalahari

1900 km of deep sand driving – Our drivers learned quickly

Discussions of “authenticity” of experience,

The slippery shibboleth of “wilderness”

Importance of protected areas.

Birding at Polentswa Pan

Community Based Natural Resource Management System - Strumpher Camp

Ngwatle Community Development Trust

Time spent in the remote community of Ngwatle (300 people) where Derek Keeping and Lee Foote were conducting biodiversity research. Meetings with the community supporting indigenous crafts, music, dance food.

Andrea showing digital pictures in Ngwatle

Ngwatle dancers & singers

Community Celebrations

Maun, Audi Camp, Okavango Delta and Moremi National Park

Hydrology and wetland ecology module in the Okavango Delta. Two days spent fording deep water crossings, scoping wildlife, and viewing transition zones.

Khwai Development Trust – Example of a successful Community based Natural Resource Management system- run by local people.

Chobe National Park – desert ecology, pinned down in camp by Cape Buffalo and 110 elephants wandering in front of our tent sites

Students studying for oral examsDescribing crustal deformation and lithic outcrops

Dune formation and stabilization Elephant-plant dynamcs, range ecology

Planet Baobab at Mkalagadi Pans – A chance for showers, restaurant meals, ice and beers in the thatch roof huts after 5 days in the field. Students coming back to civilized lifestyles

Memorable meals

Berrybush Banquet

Jills Potjke Demo

Suppertime Elephant at KhwaiJim’s Mopane Worm

Music, food and characters

Bushman rock Art Chobe National Park, also the Black Mamba and Cobra in the rocks

Descent into the Chobe River Alluvial Valley

Giraffe man

Students

Sierra with Sophie’s kids in Ngwatle

Evan

Rachelle

Will & Megan at first camp

Denise & MantidWill at the wheel

Nicole driving in sand

Andrea and Dino

Halley

Courtney holding forth at fire

Darren & Chobe guards

Kelsey & Beth (the ones on top)

Special Thanks for Advice and Support

• Department of Renewable ResourcesBob Longworth Carmen Dykes Annette BusseyAlex DrummondJohn Spence

• Special SessionsSusan Main

• U of A International SupportBob Hudson, ALES Assoc. Dean International

Renny Khan – ALES Katherine Sandermirsky