Presentation at Okavango Research Institute

You are cordially invited to Round River Conservation Studies' Research Presentations to be held at the University of Botswana’s Okavango Research Institute in Maun on Monday, 10 December 2018, from 10:00am to 11:45am.
Between September and December, RRCS had nine undergraduate students from universities across the United States who assisted in our field surveys and at the same time completed their course credits in Conservation Biology. The students would like to take this opportunity to share their three mini-projects with you from data collected in Khwai, Mababe, Sankuyo and Phuduhudu. The projects broadly touch upon:

i.       Community perceptions on wildlife presence and movement in four villages in Ngamiland
ii.      Dry Season 2018: A status report of Round River's wildlife monitoring in NG18
iii.     Herbivore Monitoring Field Manual: Data collection methodologies and demography kits

We are missing some contact details for some of the invitees and would like to kindly ask Trust Managers to extend this invitation to the Chief Escort Guides, Chairman, Village Chiefs, other representatives of the Trust and community members who may be in Maun at this time.

We are hoping you are able to attend and participate in the discussions that will follow each presentation.

If you know anyone else who may be interested in attending and is not on the above list, please feel free to invite him or her.

Best regards,

--

Samara Moreira Müller

Conservation Scientist - Botswana

Round River Conservation Studies

The Human Library

THE HUMAN LIBRARY

The Human Library Botswana, in partnership with the University of Botswana Library, will hold the first human library event in the country this November.
A human library is an innovative approach that provides a safe space for people to challenge their own stereotypes, assumptions, taboos and prejudices. The concept began in Europe where it was known as the Living Library. It was developed by a Danish youth non-governmental organization called Stop the Violence in an effort to counter violence based on discrimination, over 13 years ago and Human library events have been held in countries in more than 70 countries worldwide. The original event was open eight hours a day for four days straight and featured over fifty different titles. Botswana will be the 7th country to host this event in Africa.

The Human Books participating at the event will be volunteers who have self-identified as a “title” based on their race, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, economic status, ability/disability, or by a particular life experience (for example, “Living with HIV”). Readers (the public) will be given an opportunity to browse through the catalogue of books on display. After selecting a book, they will be issued with a library card and given 30 minutes to “study” the chosen human book, after which they will need to follow a checkout procedure. They may decide to renew the loan or select a different book.

This incredible phenomenon is an effort to celebrate diversity and promote equality by deliberately acknowledging differences in lifestyles, ethnicities, faiths, disabilities, abilities and characteristics that may be stigmatized, in the hope it might provoke an assumption or even prejudice in readers. Interesting, thought-provoking and difficult questions are expected, appreciated and discussed.

Attendance is free event and the public is encouraged to come and share in the experience.

Venue: University of Botswana Library Foyer
Date: 24th November 2018
Time: 0900hrs – 1300hrs

Enquiries: Contact Mpho E. Pitse at +267 74177337 or email humanlibrarybw@gmail.com

Heat Wave

HEAT WAVE: TIPS TO STAY COOL

Botswana has of late been experiencing high temperatures with day time temperatures reaching the ranges of 36 - 40 degrees centigrade. This poses an increased health risk and may impact differently on the health of individuals as exposure to such temperatures may lead to heat cramps, heat stroke, heat exhaustion and severe sunburns and complications of chronic diseases such as Hypertension, Asthma, other respiratory illness etc.
The university community is therefore advised to protect themselves against these high temperatures as follows:-
 Drink Plenty of Fluids - Increase your fluid intake regardless of your activity level. During hot weather, you will need to drink more liquid than your thirst indicates. Avoid drinks containing alcohol and try to limit consumption of caffeinated beverages as they cause you to lose more fluid.
 Replace Salt and Minerals - Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body, which are necessary for your body. The best way to replace salt and minerals is to drink fruit juice or a sports beverage.
 Wear Appropriate Clothing and Sunscreen - Wear as little clothing as possible when you are at home.
If you must go outdoors, protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, umbrella along with sunglasses, and put on sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.
 Slow down. Reduce or cancel strenuous, outdoor activities or reschedule them for the coolest times of the day.
 Take frequent breaks if working outdoors
 Adjust to the Environment - Be aware that any sudden change in temperature, such as an early heat wave, will be stressful to your body.
 NEVER leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles