The role of local communities in influencing environmental policies; Case Study: Madre de Dios, Peru

Methods

Summary

I will be working closely with the biological station in Madre de Dios, Peru to conduct multiple interviews with different levels of stakeholders ranging from local communities, established NGO's, universities, students, families, and policy makers. All interviews and narratives will be recorded and transcribed. Consent will be obtained from all participants, and will be approved by Clark Universities Human Resource Board (IRB).

Challenges

Madre de Dios is a very interesting and challenging region in Peru. Throughout it's history, policy has swayed between extracting resources from this area and preserving it as a protected area of the Amazon. Due to conflicts in this area on specific environmental and social topics, these particular subjects will be avoided.