Ranomofana National Park, Madagascar
How did you spend your summer? In late May, Dr. Heidi Hutner, professor and director of the Sustainability Studies Program at Stony Brook University, packed up and headed to Madagascar! There, she assisted with the travel abroad program by teaching alongside Dr. Patricia Wright of SBU’s Department of Anthropology.
On the trip, Hutner and her students traveled all over Madagascar. They visited Dr. Wright at Centre Val Bio, in Ranomafana National Park; where they hiked, learned about lemurs and other animals native to the tropical rainforest, as well as about conservation and sustainability issues. Additionally, they hiked in the Isalo National Park and Anje Preserve, snorkeled off Tuléar, met with the ocean conservation “Reef Doctor,” walked through the Spiny Forest, visited schools and hospitals, and more. Along the way, they saw many lemur species, amphibians, snakes, exotic moths, rivers, waterfalls, and beautiful flora and fauna. They met with many Malagasy people and learned about their history and culture.
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- Ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) are primates found only on the African island of Madagascar and some small islands nearby. “Because of its geographic isolation, Madagascar is home to many amazing animals found nowhere else on Earth.” (National Geographic)
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- Children at a local school.
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- Lemurs leaping.
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- At school.
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- Farming families in Madagascar bring their livestock to a stream to drink.
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- Gathering water.
Pictured here: Drs. Heidi Hutner and Pat Wright, at Anja Community Reserve, where they saw many ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) and climbed up high for a beautiful view.
Hutner worked with the students on their writing project and will be writing about Wright’s work on reforestation in articles and in her forthcoming book, Inspiring Green Minds. She and students who attended strongly recommend this travel abroad trip, which is offered in both the fall and summer. It offers something for everyone: budding primatologists, journalists, conservationists, anthropologists, or just curious minds. The Madagascar trip is an unforgettable travel experience.
Dr. Heidi Hutner
Professor and director
Sustainability Studies Program
Stony Brook University