Overview
Gonzaga University is working to infuse the foundation of our University with the principles of sustainability. The Cataldo Project works with faculty place sustainability in the curricula of courses at Gonzaga. Students and faculty research "what's next" in sustainability--whether it is a senior design project in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences or an article on the ethics of climate change, our faculty and students are making the next bold moves forward in sustainability.
Research
Chris Francovich: Leadership Studies
Greg Gordon: Environmental Studies
Stephen Hayes: Biology
Brian Henning: Philosophy
Kevin Henrickson: Economics
Kent Hickman: Business Administration
Erica Johnson: Economics
Amy Kelley: Law School
Kem Gambrell: Leadership Studies
Hugh Lefcort: Biology
Alexander Maxwell: Civil Engineering
Sue Niezgoda: Civil Engineering
Michele Pajer: English
David Schroeder: Computer Science
Josh Schulz: Civil Engineering
Claudio Talarico: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Tom Trotter: Counselor Education
Annie Voy: Economics
Rhonda Young: Civil Engineering
Georgie Weatherby: Sociology & Criminology
Sustainability, the Environment, & Studying Abroad
Chimfunshi, Zambia - Study chimp psychological behavior and provide service to the local people living or working on the Chimfunshi Wildlife Reserve, a 27,000 acre reserve for chimpanzees.
Benin, Africa - WATER: West African Appropriate Technology, Education, and Reciprocity. Students in this program take a common course, WATER and, as part of the course, may travel to sub-Saharan Africa. WATER focuses on the engineering, public health, and cultural dimensions of improving water and sanitation in a developing country.
Cali, Columbia - Explore global water issues in this course offered jointly by Gonzaga and Javeriana Universities. Learn about global water supplies, common freshwater contaminants, and available treatment technologies in developing and developed countries. The course emphasizes water issues in the Western Hemisphere and includes three weeks at Javeriana University in Cali, Colombia.
Ecuador - Emabar on a biological expedition through Ecuador, follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin, explore the Galapagos Islands--one of the world's most unique and historic ecosystems-and earn four credits. This course uses an international experience as a backdrop to learn about evolutionary, ecological and biogeographical processes.
Gonzaga has an Affiliation Agreement with the School for Field Studies Programs (both semester and summer) in the following locations where sustainability is the primary focus:
COSTA RICA: Costa Rica is a resource-rich, wonderfully biodiverse country that is rapidly developing and increasingly recognized for its efforts to ensure conservation and the protection of natural resources. It is home to beautiful cloud forests, dry forests, volcanoes, lowland rainforests, and plantations. Students will examine management schemes, identify the benefits of protected areas, and determine which systems offer the best option for economic development, the maintenance of cultural norms, and the preservation of biodiversity.
KENYA & TANZANIA: The Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem of northern Tanzania and the Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem in Kenya, just north of Mount Kilimanjaro, are home to indigenous communities, such as the Maasai, and wildlife sanctuaries in which elephants, lions, baboons, and other creatures roam. Visits provide a rare glimpse of Maasai culture, including musical ceremonies, demonstrations in fire-making, dances by Maasai morans (warriors), and lessons in spear throwing. Students study how changes in land-use and resource can be managed to foster the well-being of local communities while safeguarding and promoting biodiversity conservation.
BHUTAN: Bhutan is nestled in the remote and rugged eastern Himalayan region, an area characterized by extensive and numerous mountains (the Himalayas) and valleys. The country has also been identified as one of the top-10 biodiversity hot spots in the world. Bhutan is home to an estimated 770 species of birds and an astonishing variety of medicinal plants and orchids. Takin, snow leopards, golden langurs, blue sheep, tigers, water buffalo, and elephants are among Bhutan’s diverse wildlife. Traveling across Bhutan, students in this summer study abroad program will learn about Bhutanese culture, environmental issues, and rural development in Asia.
PANAMA: Panama is the great connector between two continents; a corridor that links the natural riches of Central America to South America. Few places on Earth can claim the density of species and ecosystem richness that this isthmus can. Our classroom in Panama is the archipelago of Bocas Del Toro; a place where forest and shore come together and present almost limitless opportunities to study the ecology and conservation of both the marine and terrestrial realms. It is the dynamic interface between forested islands and life-filled waters that will drive our understanding of fragile habitats, natural resource use, and indigenous ways of life based on deep relationships with the environment.
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND: The astonishing biodiversity of Australia’s and New Zealand’s rainforests, their declines, and dynamic conservation efforts make these areas extraordinary laboratories to study rainforest management and restoration. For thousands of years, they have been home to indigenous tribes, and numerous plant and animal species found nowhere else in the world. These forests, however, have been greatly affected by habitat loss, fragmentation, and climate change. Students focus on the loss and fragmentation of once extensive rainforests and examine environmental policies related to the issue on local and national levels.
TURKS & CAICOS: TCI has an extensive network of 33 protected areas, but little is known about their function and effectiveness. With the Admiral Cockburn Land and Sea National Park and East Harbour Lobster and Conch Reserve on their doorstep, students evaluate the concept and practice of marine protected areas (MPAs) as a resource management tool. Snorkeling and SCUBA diving in waters surrounding South Caicos, students learn field research techniques to identify a wide range of marine organisms and habitats, and learn about marine ecology and coastal ecosystems. Students in this study abroad program will learn about artificial reef technology to enhance or restore reef habitats. Students support the work of our clients and stakeholders, who range from local fishers to members of key government agencies. Our goal is to conduct relevant field research that can be used to develop state-of-the-art environmental policies, marine protected areas (MPA) management plans, and community projects.
