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888.272.7881 (toll-free in US)
802.258.3212
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802.258.3388
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802.258.3296
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PO Box 676, 1 Kipling Road
Brattleboro, VT 05302 USA
Botswana: Ecology and Conservation
Program Overview
In the Botswana: Ecology and Conservation study abroad program, students explore the long-term conservation goals and development needs of local populations in Botswana. The program gives students the opportunity to study the environmental challenges in two of Africa’s last wilderness areas, the harsh Kalahari Desert and the delicate ecosystem of the Okavango Delta.
Students interact with scholars and conservation experts, local organizations, and indigenous groups to learn about ecological and human adaptation to Botswana’s extreme climates and efforts to balance resource use. Homestays in both urban and rural areas give students a balanced perspective on environmental concerns including pressure on water resources, degradation of rangelands, depletion of wood resources, and urban pollution.
A Fragile Ecosystem
Botswana is a landlocked country, its landscape mostly semi-desert and Kalahari sands. In contrast, its Okavango Delta, the world’s largest oasis and a complex ecosystem of rivers, marshes, and islands, is the seasonal habitat of numerous animals, including African elephants, cheetahs, and African wild dogs, and more than 400 species of birds. Botswana’s Tsodilo Hills features the world’s largest collection of rock art, paintings of spiritual significance to the San peoples of the Kalahari.
Conservation of natural resources and cultural artifacts is a priority for both Botswana’s government and its people in order to ensure survival in a sustainable manner. Government officials, conservation organizations, and Botswana’s citizens struggle to balance the needs of an increasingly complex society with conservation of the country’s natural heritage. Students explore these issues in the classroom and through first-hand field study and visits to the wilderness and game reserves, gaining an understanding of humanity’s central role in environmental issues.
