Centre
ValBio
Centre de Formation International pour
la Valorisation de la Biodiversité
International Training Center for the Study
of Biodiversity
(Replaces the Ranomafana National Park
Research Station)
ICTE has built a new research and training center (Centre
ValBio) just outside Ranomafana National Park. The Centre
ValBio was innaugurated in June 2003, and is now fully operational.
In February 2005, the Centre ValBio hired a new Director,
Dr. Anna Feistner.
Centre ValBio Facilities
The Centre ValBio is adjacent to Ranomafana National Park,
just across the Namorona River. The Centre ValBio entrance
is 300m south of the Ranomafana National Park entrance on
National Route 25. The new Centre ValBio was built with
funding from the National Science Foundation, the University
of Helsinki, the Nando Peretti Foundation, the United Nations
Foundation/UNESCO, and Stony Brook University. The photo
above shows our vision for the completed center.
Click here
for information on obtaining permits and costs of research
at Centre ValBio
Facilities:
In June 2003, the building, access road into the site &
parking , entrance area with guardhouse, retaining walls,
walkways & stairways, and outdoor classroom were completed.
The building provides a large dining/classroom, kitchen,
administrative offices, small laboratory, and extensive
storage. Researchers have office space, access to electricity,
(220V and 110V) and meals at the Centre ValBio. Phone service
is available by satellite phone for emergencies. Access
to the park will be via the Ranomafana National Park entrance
until the pedestrial bridge connecting the Centre ValBio
to the park is built.
Housing:
We are currently in the process of building a residence hall at the Centre ValBio. Until
this new 48 bed residence hall has been constructed, tent
sites next to the Centre ValBio are available or researchers
can stay at nearby hotels. Please see Project
Budgets and Costs for a description of the options.
Future Plans:
We are planning for the construction of a climate-controlled
research laboratory with a genetics lab, a GIS station,
invertebrate, botany, ornithology, aquatics, and mammology
labs, and an audio-visual center. Additional funding is
being sought to complete the laboratory and for the construction of the residence hall
space for students and long-term housing for faculty and
researchers. A scenic footbridge will connect the Centre
ValBio to the park across the river.
Mission of the Centre ValBio
The Centre ValBio is managed and run by the Consortium
for Research and Training in Madagascar. The mission
of the Centre ValBio is to:
- Promote research on the biodiversity and
conservation of Madagascar's raninforests, including populations,
communities, and the ecosystem processes they depend on.
- Promote formal and informal training at
the undergraduate and graduate levels for students and
scientists, Malagasy and international.
- Conduct long-term monitoring research
on the flora and fauna of RNP.
- Share information with Malagasy policy
makers and with scientists globally.
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