Life Sciences Seminar: Determining the socio-ecological impact of field station conservation initiatives
Life Sciences Seminar
Determining the socio-ecological impact of field station conservation initiatives
Sydney VanWinkle, MS ’21
Fulbright US Student Fellow
Madagascar Researcher
Abstract:
Madagascar is a global biodiversity hotspot and a priority for worldwide conservation efforts. Many conservation initiatives are associated with field stations, such as Centre ValBio (CVB) in Madagascar, which serve as hubs for conservation research and environmental education programs. A common challenge among field stations is understanding the impacts of the initiatives they undertake. In this study, we developed and piloted an assessment tool which we used to evaluate CVB’s Conservation Club program. We administered interviews with program participants and collected on-the-ground field observations throughout local communities in the Ifanadiana district of Madagascar. Additional, complementary sources of data included geospatial information, historical data mining and open-ended surveys of CVB managers. Future impact assessments, at CVB and other field stations worldwide, will be able to use this study to develop their own in-depth evaluation methodology. Overall findings provide insight into the challenges and successes of community-based conservation and show the long-lasting impacts of the Conservation Club program.
Intended Audience:
Beginners, undergraduates, graduates, experts. Those with interest in the topic.
To request an interpreter, please visit myaccess.rit.edu
Event Snapshot
When and Where
Who
Open to the Public
Interpreter Requested?
No