OKAVANGO RESEARCH INSTITUTE (O.R.I.) (formerly Harry Oppenheimer OKAVANGO RESEARCH CENTRE) [CALL for Papers]

O.R.I. is a centre for the study and conservation of one of the world's largest and most intact inland wetland ecosystems -the Okavango Delta- as well as other southern African wetlands, riverbasins, watersheds and surrounding drylands. The research institute was founded in response to plans to use the Okavango for a large scale water supply programme {more}. O.R.I.'s vision is to be a leading wetland research institute.

Situated near Maun, Botswana on the fringe of the Okavango [see on Google Maps], O.R.I.'s mission is to undertake engaged wetland research and training on wetland ecosystems. Outcomes are reflected in numerous publications. Our MPhil/PhD Programme in Natural Resource Management and other courses support our research.

Multi-disciplinary in approach, the Institute initiates research and environmental monitoring and develops educational strategies to promote sustainable environmental management in the Okavango, Kgalagadi and SADC regions through outreach activities such as those of the Biokavango project .

**** ANNOUNCEMENT of Policy Forum Defragmenting African Natural Resources Management & Responsive Forest Resources Governance 9-11 April 2013 Cape Town [CALL for Papers] *****

ORI is an institute of the University of Botswana and has a Tented Camp for visiting students and researchers. ORI has a Library, a Herbarium and Laboratories for Biology, Chemistry and Geographic Information Systems (which hosts the Okavango Delta Information System, a geospatial data repository covering the Okavango Delta and Basin. Employing 33 academic staff and 45 support staff, ORI has over 50 research and development projects in progress in a wide range of scientific fields, many in collaboration with international partners. ORI is a member of the international Global Wetland Consortium and is the host institution of The Southern African Climatic Change Network: SACCnet.