Major: Earth and Environmental Science
Minor: Planetary Science
What was the name of the organization you worked for over the summer?
Iracambi Rainforest Conservation and Research Center
What was your role and what did you work on?
I was a Forest4Water intern for Iracambi, which is a reforestation center in the Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil. During my time there I worked in the plant nursery, spoke to kids during school visits, and worked in the medicinal plant laboratory and distillation. I also helped gather research for Iracambi via sound and camera traps. We would watch the footage from the traps and document them accordingly.
What was a highlight of your experience?
Other than helping around the center, I also had the opportunity to do some research about mining in the region. I interviewed a few local farmers and activists, some of who have been fighting for years to end mining in Serra do Brigadeiro, a region of the Minas Gerais state where Iracambi is located. My research focused on how large-scale corporations attempt to disentangle themselves from the consequences of the mining process, the spread of misinformation to deter activists and affected people, and how said mining practices devalue and place unequal burdens on farmers and local communities who have to bear the brunt of the consequences but see so little of the benefit. I also talked briefly about the history of mining in the region and how it affects the land and communities.
How did your summer experience impact you?
When I first came to Iracambi, I was nervous about what my time there would be like. I wanted to make the most of it, and thanks to the grant, I was able to. Within a few days, I found myself fully immersed in life there and leaving was incredibly difficult. Moreover, I had the opportunity to learn and gather first-hand research. I will always be grateful for my time there and to the donor(s) that made it possible. Thank you.
