معرفی
Amy Vedder is a Lecturer at the Yale School of the Environment (YSE). She transitioned to academia in 2013 after 35 years in international wildlife and conservation practice. Her expertise spans ecological research, project management, and policy advisory roles across Africa and the U.S. She is renowned for co-launching pioneering ecotourism and community outreach programs in Rwanda and Burundi to protect montane forests and endangered fauna.
Education:
- PhD in Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- MSc, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- B.A. in Biology, Swarthmore College
Research Interests:
Dr. Vedder focuses on reconciling local, national, and international interests in conservation. Her work emphasizes biodiversity preservation, governance structures, socio-economic integration, and landscape-scale approaches to mitigate threats like oil/gas development and logging. She advocates for monetized and non-monetized valuation of conservation efforts.
Professional Experience:
- Program Director, Wildlife Conservation Society’s Africa Program (21 countries)
- Senior Technical Advisor, GEF/UNDP (Rwanda National Parks)
- Senior Vice President, The Wilderness Society (U.S. wilderness conservation)
Awards & Publications:
- African Rain Forest Ecology and Conservation (Yale University Press)
- In the Kingdom of Gorillas (Simon & Schuster)
- Dorothy McCluskey Fellow at YSE
Teaching & Outreach:
Cochairs conservation seminars and leads annual study tours in Rwanda with Dr. Bill Weber. Focuses on practical conservation strategies and policy implementation.
