Welcome March 2019 Volunteers!
Rhodri Jones
(Wales)
I am 23 years old and I have recently graduated from The University of the West of England with a degree in Biological Sciences. I grew up in the rural area of West Wales so I have been surrounded by wildlife from a very early age. During my undergraduate years I became increasingly interested in wildlife conservation and was lucky enough to participate in several scientific studies that involved a variety of animal and forest environments. The most memorable of these experiences was time spent on the Guanahacabibes Peninsula, a remote region of Cuba where I helped to carry out research on the management and conservation of tropical rainforests and tropical coral reefs. Through taking part in this volunteer programme, I am looking to further consolidate my learning and my experience in the area of conservation.
Angela Rana
(Australia)
I’m excited to be a part of the March 2019 cohort for MBP! I’m from Sydney, Australia and I graduated from the University of Sydney with a BSc (Hons). After graduating, I worked as a research assistant and as a lab demonstrator, and later worked as an intern for the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. I love working with animals and working out in the field, and I am not one to shy away from a challenge. Conservation of the Earth’s precious wildlife and ecosystems is of great and immediate importance – we must be acting on it now to enact effective change. That’s why I am so keen to be contributing to the work of MBP, and to see what the next 3 months has in store!
Daniel Keeley
(United States)
Daniel believes in the value of working hard, spreading positivity, and stepping out of comfort zones. Having grown up in and around California’s Sequoia National Park, Daniel is naturalist at heart and a mountaineering enthusiast during his summers in the Sierra Nevada backcountry. He has spent months travelling, studying, and working in the tropics of South America and South East Asia, as well as continued projects in the forests throughout California. Upon the completion of the Madagascar Biodiversity Program he will be returning to California to pursue a Masters degree in forestry management.
Susanne van Kempen
(The Netherlands)
I am 23 years old, from the Netherlands. I studied ecology & wildlife and at the moment I am studying forest and nature management with a specialization of tropical forestry. My biggest hobby is traveling and seeing the world. I saw a lot of places and I did a lot of conservation work already but now my dream is coming true! My dream is to work with lemurs/primates so that brings me to this unique island full of biodiversity! I have to wait a couple more months but it will be amazing! I hope I can help the community and take this amazing experiences with me for my future job. I want to be a conservationist and I will be! Groetjes Susanne
Andy Parks
(United States)
I am absolutely thrilled at the chance to work with the Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership in their conservation efforts. I am a California native who has always dreamed of traveling the world in search of wildlife. I graduated from University of California, Davis with a B.S. in biology, with minors in wildlife conservation and anthropology. I have worked with several different wildlife organizations and government agencies over the last few years, getting the chance to work with endangered species like the desert tortoise and California condor, among others. Wildlife conservation is my passion and I have devoted my career to studying wild animals and their habitats. I plan to continue working abroad for the next year before returning to graduate school to study conservation biology and molecular ecology. Please feel free to check out my Field Notes Blog on my personal website: linked below.
Antso RAZAKAFAMANTANANTSOA
(Madagascar)
I have studied environment since I started the college at the University of Fianarantsoa where I have been graduated and then continued at the University of Mahajanga to focus more on animal biology. I have now finished my study and want to get more experiences at the field. I would like to use all I have learned at school to the field and this is an opportunity for me to practise and to help as well. Also, I have worked with international volunteers at the NGO Hope for Madagascar since 2015. My job duties were facilitating communication between volunteers and local community and organizing activities. My previous works were more focused on social development but now I would like to get experience on science.
