ALL IN THE NAME OF CONSERVATION – ECOTRAINING REACHES ACROSS THE GLOBE

[Ecotraining]

‘To prepare leaders in the conservation and sustainable management of forests and other natural resources; to discover ways to restore and better use the earth’s natural resources; and to put into practice forestry and natural resources knowledge.’

 

This is the mission of the school of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia(UGA)

A very apt description as recently a group of UGA students ventured across the ocean all the way to the Land of the Giants in Botswana to EcoTraining’s wilderness camp in Mashatu.

The bunch, all students of Dr John P. Carroll, spent a month under the tutelage of EcoTraining’s highly experienced instructors. The FGASA Level One Field Guide course was adapted for them and they got to put theory into practise. And the message was definitely driven home that there’s no conservation without education. Of course it also didn’t hurt that the sightings abounded – anything from those big grey gentle giants, to the smallest of nature’s inhabitants.

An absolute highlight was a first-hand experience of the decollaring of one of Mashatu’s leopards as well as collaring five lions. To get that close to the most elusive member of the big cat family, was inspiring to say the least.

The group left with that ‘TIA’-feeling etched deeply on them, something they probably won’t shake, not that they would want to... This Is Africa indeed, the continent’s wild and wonderful places lure people from all over the globe and impart on them to become responsible custodians and to give future generations the chance of seeing nature’s inhabitants the way they are supposed to be viewed – free.

If this has grabbed you, go to www.ecotraining.co.za, send an email to [e-mail] or follow us on Facebook at EcoTraining – Ecotourism specials and book your place on a life changing experience.