The dry season arrived in Limpopo, and with it came the start of baboon surveys. My transects cross private farms, communal lands, and protected areas like national parks and nature reserves. No matter where I survey, permission is essential — but who grants that permission depends entirely on the land. Read more
Conservation is often imagined as fieldwork: tracking animals, collecting data, and working in remote landscapes. But one of the most important investments in conservation is much less visible — students. I have the privilege of working with Honors students at the University of Venda (UNIVEN) in Thohoyandou, Limpopo. Although I Read more
I could have sworn I just wrote my February update—and somehow, it’s already April. At first, it felt like March passed quietly. Then I looked at my calendar. This month, above all, was about connections. When it comes to the transects I’ll be walking, those connections came in unexpected forms: Read more
Fieldwork often begins long before the first transect is walked. It starts with conversations, introductions, cups of coffee, and the kindness of people willing to help a stranger with a research project. February turned out to be exactly that kind of month. Unlike January, which was filled with wildlife sightings Read more
I’ve been in South Africa for a little over a month now. When I arrived in Johannesburg, the sky was clear and sunny. I rented a small car and headed north, stopping in Pretoria to meet Embassy staff for coffee and conversation. From there, I continued on to Thohoyandou. I Read more
The Chacma Baboon Project is finally becoming a reality, thanks to the support of the William J. Fulbright Scholar Award. After months of preparation, the project officially launches in January—and we’re excited to bring you along from the very beginning. Our first step will be gathering information from the people Read more