International Field School, ENCS 465 South Africa and Botswana- 3-24 August 2009

1. Instructors International Field School, ENCS 465 South Africa and Botswana- 3-24 August 2009 Wildlife Biology, Wetland Ecology - Lee Foote, PhD Environmental Sociology, International Development; Naomi Krogman, PhD Geology, Astronomy, Archaeology; Jim Schulz, MSc.

2. First Night Supper in Nyagoma Lodge

3. 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.

4. Sterkfontein Archaeology Tour Evolution and the origins of the human species

5. Second night camping at Groot Marico Dam, South Africa Contrasts of South African parks management with Alberta parks Night 3. Rough camp on Botswana’s Communal Lands – Range ecology

6. Tshabong, Berrybush Farms Desert ecology, cultural history with local expert Jill Thomas

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

8. Sunrise game viewing at Bosobogolo Pan. Soils and wildlife movements

9. Bosobogolo Pan, Mabushahue National Park Hyenas chew my chair

10. 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.

11. Birding at Polentswa Pan

12. Community Based Natural Resource Management System - Strumpher Camp

13. 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.

14. Community Celebrations Ngwatle dancers & singers Andrea showing digital pictures in Ngwatle

15. 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.

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

17. 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 exams Describing crustal deformation and lithic outcrops Dune formation and stabilization Elephant-plant dynamcs, range ecology

18. 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

19. Memorable meals Berrybush Banquet Jills Potjke Demo Suppertime Elephant at Khwai Jim’s Mopane Worm

20. Music, food and characters

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

22. Descent into the Chobe River Alluvial Valley

23. Giraffe man

25. Students Evan Sierra with Sophie’s kids in Ngwatle Rachelle

26. Will & Megan at first camp Will at the wheel Denise & Mantid

27. Nicole driving in sand Andrea and Dino

28. Halley Courtney holding forth at fire

29. Darren & Chobe guards Kelsey & Beth (the ones on top)

30. Special Thanks for Advice and Support • Department of Renewable Resources Bob Longworth Carmen Dykes Annette Bussey Alex Drummond John Spence • Special Sessions Susan Main • U of A International Support Bob Hudson, ALES Assoc. Dean International Renny Khan – ALES Katherine Sandermirsky