Watershed Biology: Ethiopia Trip

The World Health Organization has recognized access to reliable uncontaminated water as a premier concern, affecting one out of every six people on earth.  Water issues raise  complex  issues involving  a variety of environmental,  health, and societal  concerns.  Poverty, disease, illiteracy, and gender inequality are all linked – and all are linked to water.  Solving water issues is fundamental to reaching these other concerns.

This course introduces fundamentals of watershed biology with a particular focus on the water issues of the developing world.  The course culminates in a three-week trip to Ethiopia where we encounter the reality of water concerns in both rural and urban settings.  Visits to local villages highlight the reality of the connections between environmental, social, and health issues.   Interactions with local and international agencies that work locally to develop successful water projects connect students with practical exposure to community-managed solutions to complex issues.

For more information contact Dr. Linda Vick by email.