Bless the Rains: USU Scholars Experience Ecological Research, Conservation Management in East Africa
USU ecologists Sara Weinstein, Department of Biology, and Eric LaMalfa, Department of Wildland Resources, lead multi-disciplinary, experiential learning trips to countries of eastern Africa to study human-wildlife interactions.
By Mary-Ann Muffoletto |
Video by USU Undergraduate Researcher Natasha Behrmann.
Balancing the needs of humans, domestic animals and wildlife that share the same landscapes is a formidable challenge throughout the globe. At Utah State University, scholars from a broad range of disciplines regularly study aspects of these complex interactions in efforts spanning both basic and applied research.
Studying the familiar wildlife of North America fosters tough research inquiries, but imagine pursuing these questions on another continent, where the fauna is very different in appearance and behavior. Couple that with another country’s distinctive approach to animal husbandry, wildlife management and conservation.
That’s the unique experience the USU study abroad course Ecology and Environmental Stewardship (BIOL 4750/6750 or WILD 4950/6900), led by USU Ecology Center faculty members Sara Weinstein, assistant professor in the Department of Biology, and Eric LaMalfa, assistant professor in the Department of Wildland Resources, provides for Aggie undergraduates and graduate students from varied majors.
Marion Mischel, a third-year undergraduate student in USU’s equine science and management program, was among 11 USU students who participated in the course in summer 2024, traveling to Tanzania and Kenya.
“I wanted to go on this trip to see and experience a different way of life,” Mischel says. “One of my biggest takeaways was that we all face similar problems across the world, especially when it comes to how to take care of our natural world as a collective group. However, there is not one singular solution, and we must understand so many perspectives to achieve an outcome that will be desirable for most, if not all groups involved.”
Mischel and her fellow Aggies explored research topics with peer scholars from collaborating universities.
“Having our students work with students residing and studying in the host countries is a key benefit of the program,” LaMalfa says. “It enables our students to hear different perspectives, to gain experience working with international colleagues and provides valuable local mentors to help our students navigate a new country, culture and language.”
During the trip, Aggies spent time in the classroom and in the lab, along with hands-on field work observing animal husbandry and conservation practices, while collecting and analyzing data. The students also visited national parks, conservation areas and museums, including the National Museum of Kenya, Tsavo East National Park and Mpala Research Centre.
The students also visited remote villages, where they met Maasai people and learned about their traditions.
“The Maasai have practiced pastoralism for centuries, grazing domesticated herbivores on wild rangelands,” LaMalfa says. “Our students learned how their practices emphasize sustainable coexistence between humans, livestock and wildlife.”
In addition, the Aggies witnessed and were invited to participate in Maasai dances.
The USU students, whose majors ranged from biology, ecology and wildlife science to the humanities, created a range of capstone presentations at the completion of the course, including a video, a 3D pop-up book and a quilt hand-sewn from fabrics crafted by African artisans.
“We were really amazed by the creativity of our students,” Weinstein says.
Weinstein and LaMalfa are now recruiting students who wish to participate in the 2025 course, which includes travel to Kenya.
“The course is three credits and students can learn more about the requirements and costs by contacting me or Dr. LaMalfa, or checking out information for this year’s program, Ecology and Environmental Stewardship-Kenya, hosted online by USU’s Office of Global Engagement,” Weinstein says.
Mischel enthusiastically recommends the study abroad experience to other Aggies.
“This truly was an eye-opening trip, and I can't recommend a similar experience to other students enough,” she says.
This screenshot is from a capstone video produced by USU undergraduate researcher Natasha Behrmann for USU's Ecology and Environmental Stewardship in Tanzania and Kenya study abroad course in 2024. Students can now apply for the summer 2025 course, which will be in Kenya.
WRITER
Mary-Ann Muffoletto
Public Relations Specialist
College of Science
435-797-3517
maryann.muffoletto@usu.edu
CONTACT
Eric LaMalfa
Assistant Professor
Department of Wildland Resources
eric.lamalfa@usu.edu
Sara Weinstein
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology and USU Ecology Center
sara.weinstein@usu.edu
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