While fishing supplies and important protein source for families, fisherman often leave behind significant amounts of waste (as seen here). There is a need to sensitize people to the importance of waste removal and the impact this has on the environment.

Our Environmental Education Club at Kazungula Primary School 2011-2012. Learning about water and our environment!

Wetlands of the Chobe river system are key to the survival of a diversity of animals and local communities dependent on natural resources. Increasing levels of pollution and land transformation threaten these fragile systems. Every action no matter how small becomes part of a bigger degradation impact. Conservation and habitat protection can happen at all scales and is the responsibility of us all. We all can be stewards of these environments, monitoring our own behavior and contributing towards improved action locally, regionally and globally. Your effort, no matter how small or large -matters!

Kathleen Alexander’s Diverse Research Brings Sustainability to Botswana | College of Natural Resources and Environment | Virginia Tech

Kathleen Alexander’s Diverse Research Brings Sustainability to Botswana | College of Natural Resources and Environment | Virginia Tech

Dr Alexander talks to school children as part of the VT CARACAL education program.  Thousands of children go through the facility and learn about living life sustainably.

Water shortages affect every aspect of life. Washing laundry can become a luxury if water is unavailable even for a short period. Here, Mr. Ramotadima discusses water shortages with local residents.

Water shortages are a daily feature of life for many areas in Africa. Increasing development and population growth quickly outstrip water extraction systems, leading to chronic water shortage problems. In Chobe, most residents store water in any container that can be found.  Here Mr. Ramotadima evaluates patterns of water availability and community adaptation to these shortages.

Dr. Alexander and Mr. Ramotadima visit over 90 households during the diarrheal outbreak in Chobe Botswana. Here Dr. Alexander examines drinking water. Information collected from community members will help the research team to identify factors associated with increased diarrheal disease.