Community Based Conservation: Madagascar Sustainability Initiative

This course integrates study of biodiversity, poverty, and community-based conservation principles with research design, professional teamwork, and cultural competency skills. The community-based conservation approach integrates a full understanding of the need for economic stability and human health priorities alongside conservation of flora and fauna. Program targets range from forest conservation and use to nutrition, health, food security, clean water, and education. This course explores community -based conservation through the lens of Madagascar, representing a partnership between Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG) and Washington University in Saint Louis. Course readings and guest lectures provide foundations for understanding the unique ecology of Madagascar, the intersection of poverty and environmental conservation, and principles of qualitative research design. Mid-semester, students begin remote communication and collaboration with Malagasy community representatives on the ground in Madagascar. Working in small teams, students will select a focal area in community-based conservation, and build a robust understanding of a challenge in principle, as well as its specific manifestation in the Mahabo case. They will engage with preexisting and/or collaboratively proposed on-the-ground initiatives in MBG's CBCP, develop a study design to assess the efficacy of these initiatives, and support iterative implementation. Participants in the Pathfinder Ampersand Program may also enroll in ENST 3061, which involves meeting 50 minutes once per week during the semester and a three-week field experience implementing the community-based research projects in Madagasgar
Course Attributes: AS LCD; AS SSC; FA SSC; AR SSC; EN S; BU BA; BU IS

Community Based Conservation: Madagascar Sustainability Initiative

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES 3060

Section 01

Section A