Earth Expeditions in Guyana: Local Wisdom & Conservation

Building on a partnership with the Chicago Zoological Society - Brookfield Zoo, this course focuses on the traditional ecological knowledge of the Makushi and the potential of local wisdom to guide conservation initiatives. The Makushi people have a long tradition of managing their resources creatively by proudly embracing their traditional culture. Conscious of the value of indigenous and non-indigenous knowledge, Guyana’s Makushi people are becoming masters of straddling both worlds.

The concept of local knowledge and wisdom applies to every community, a point we will explore as we consider our role in place-based conservation and participatory education.

Before and following the field experience in Guyana, students will complete coursework via Dragonfly Workshops Web-Based Learning Community as they apply these experiences to their home institutions.