so a little on what ill be doing or more likely what we think ill be doing for the next two years. ill be working in collaboration with the eaux et forets (water and forest dept) on the Biodiversity Conservation Using Transhumance Project. transhumance is basically nomadic peoples that until recently have migrated with the seasons up and down the slopes of the atlas mtns. though many are settled now it is still somewhat practiced in the rural villages like mine. i will be focusing on fuel wood usage, vegetation and grazing surveys, erosion control, flora and fauna photo documentation, native tree propagtion, and environmental education.
the current health volunteer in the area has an approved grant to build 50 latrines in the area and i begin by helping her with that. literally jumping in head first into the mess.
the fuel wood issue is interesting to me as i have heard that the women leave before dawn every morning to look for fuelwood. it seems to me as though an affordable alternative would be welcomed as it would alleviate some of the domestic burdens. but income generating activities are scarce in this subsistence culture. most families are beginning to use inexpensive butane gas for cooking needs, but continue to use wood for heating. unfortunately the long winters(5-6 months) and high elevation mean that heating sources are extremely strained. ive heard that a family burns a metric ton of fuelwood a month!! at this rate the already scarce forests stand little chance without replanting and/or alternative sources. ive researched the use of waste motor oil as an alternative, giving a beneficial outlet for a waste product. if anyone has ideas im open.
i think my biggest challenge will come in getting nomads to sit down to a meeting, literally.
the plan is to finish pst(pre service training) and leave for my site. i will live with the ait lachen family for 2 months before moving into my own house in the community. then after that the only thing left to do is save the world!!! all in a days work as a pc volunteer.
