The Humphrey PACT (Practitioner - Assistant - Collaborative - Training) Program pairs undergraduate students in Global Development with Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows to work on a research endeavor in the fields of agriculture, rural development, and natural resource management. In this bilateral exchange, each undergrad is assigned as a research assistant, contributing to the Humphrey Fellow’s work from their home countries. Humphrey Fellows, who are mid-career professionals from around the world, gain support from students, while students get direct experiences with real-world development projects.
In their PACT partnership, Maia Tsignadze (Humphrey Fellow from Georgia) and Lucy Cao ‘26 (Global Development), explored how two sister parks — in South Dakota, USA and the country of Georgia in eastern Europe — could forge a renewed partnership. In this article, they explore the similarities, common goals, and shared challenges that these two remarkable parks face, and discuss the potential for a revitalized collaboration that could create lasting positive change.
Many miles apart, many similarities
In the vast expanse of South Dakota, USA, lies Badlands National Park, a stunning display of nature's artistry. Across the globe, in the eastern European nation of Georgia, the Vashlovani Protected Areas stand as a haven for diverse flora and fauna. These two parks, though separated by continents, share an undeniable connection: their designation as sister parks since 1999. However, despite this bond, the potential for collaboration between them remains largely untapped.
Both Badlands National Park and Vashlovani Protected Areas are dedicated to preserving their unique ecosystems and promoting biodiversity. They face similar challenges in terms of habitat conservation, species protection, and managing the impact of human activities. By working together and sharing knowledge, these two parks can enhance their conservation efforts and develop innovative solutions to these common challenges.
Despite their geographical separation, Vashlovani Protected Areas and Badlands National Park exhibit intriguing similarities in their landscape and environmental characteristics. Firstly, both parks showcase captivating geological formations sculpted over time by erosion, visible through distinctive badlands features of both parks. Moreover, they share similar characteristics in terms of natural features and management demands. The distinctive badlands features and the large prairie expanses present in both parks require specialized management strategies.
In Badlands National Park, the summers are hot and mostly clear and the winters are freezing, snowy, windy, and partly cloudy. Vashlovani Protected Areas are characterized by a hot, arid climate, which is facilitated by the complete absence of freshwater reservoirs and minimal annual precipitation.
Both Badlands National Park and Vashlovani Protected Areas have made remarkable progress in reintroducing key species to their natural environments. Badlands has successfully reestablished the black-footed ferret, bighorn sheep, bison, and swift fox, while Vashlovani has witnessed the return of gazelles through the WWF-Caucasus Gazelle Programme. These efforts symbolize the potential for collaboration between the sister parks, as they share experiences and expertise to support each other's conservation goals and ensure the long-term survival of these iconic species.
Leaders in biodiversity
Badlands National Park is a geological wonderland renowned for its stunning landscapes and unique ecosystems. The park is characterized by its rugged terrain, deep canyons, and iconic eroded buttes. Beyond its mesmerizing geological features, Badlands National Park is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, showcasing a remarkable biodiversity of over 700 species. The park's ecosystem includes hardy prairie grasses, colorful wildflowers, and resilient shrubs adapted to the harsh climate and arid conditions. Common fauna species include bighorn sheep, bison, black-billed magpie, black-tailed prairie dog, coyote, elk, mule deer, pronghorn, prairie rattlesnake, porcupine, whooping crane, and white-tailed deer. Badlands is also home to several most endangered species in the US, including American Bison, Black-footed Ferret, and Pronghorn. The intricate relationship between the geological formations and the living organisms in Badlands National Park underscores the interconnectedness of the natural world, making it a captivating destination for those interested in exploring the dynamic intersection of geology and ecology.
Vashlovani Protected Areas, on the other hand, are characterized by their unique ecosystems, which support a wide range of flora and fauna. The protected areas are home to numerous bird species, as well as mammals like jackals, foxes, rabbits, lynx, and even wolves. The region also serves as a vital habitat for several rare and endangered species, including the Persian leopard. Conservation efforts in the area aim to preserve this rich biodiversity for future generations to enjoy. In Vashlovani steep clay precipices the colonies of swallow nests, which are called “Town of swallows”. There are many water birds – herons, cormorants, teals, wild ducks, red ducks, ospreys, and white-tailed eagles.
Vashlovani National Park also boasts abundant avian diversity, hosting numerous species such as starlings, rose-colored pastors, sparrows, wheatears, red-gold finches, and more. During winter, sightings of little bustards and the occasional Great bustard are possible. Birds of prey including Imperial eagles, black vultures, Marsh harriers, and buzzards soar the skies, while partridges and occasionally francolins inhabit the area. Pheasants thrive in the Alazani groves. Additionally, the park harbors a significant reptilian population, with 25 recorded species. Moreover, Vashlovani Protected Areas are inhabited by a myriad of insects, including 109 species of butterflies, contributing to its rich biodiversity.
Avenues for collaboration
The impacts of climate change, habitat loss, and invasive species are the shared concerns that create a unique opportunity for collaboration, enabling the parks to exchange ideas and best practices for addressing these threats and promoting sustainable conservation.
To forge a stronger partnership between Badlands National Park and Vashlovani Protected Areas, joint projects should be explored. There are several potential areas of collaboration between Badlands National Park and Vashlovani Protected Areas. One such area is the exchange of best practices in habitat management and species conservation. Joint research projects on shared species or similar ecosystems can also yield valuable insights. Additionally, collaboration in the field of environmental education and eco-tourism can help both parks raise awareness about the importance of preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable tourism.
Furthermore, a renewed bond between these sister parks could serve as a powerful example for other parks worldwide. By demonstrating the benefits of unity in conservation efforts, Badlands and Vashlovani can inspire others to forge similar partnerships, multiplying the positive impact on our planet's invaluable ecosystems.
In conclusion, the potential for a renewed collaboration between Badlands National Park and Vashlovani Protected Areas is immense. By recognizing their shared traits and common objectives, we can foster a partnership that not only celebrates their commonalities but also leverages their combined strengths to tackle the challenges they face. Together, these two remarkable parks can make a lasting difference in preserving our planet's natural heritage and inspiring future generations to do the same.
