Joint Summer Module in the Dolomites

As I mentioned in the previous post I recently got back from a 10 day intensive course (complete with 2 papers and 2 oral exams - it was NO vacation) in the Dolomites, Alpine region of Northern Italy. The course was a combination of field excursions to learn about the multi-functionality of forestry in this region (timber production, soil erosion protection, landslide protection, tourism, etc) and more focused sub-group study.

While a lot of the studies in forestry are trying to address deforestation in the Dolomiti, unlike many places in the world, the forests are increasing in size - and have been since WW II when they were decimated during the war. Part of the reason for this is that timber harvesting in Italy is very expensive (and even more so in steep mountainous areas like the Dolomites) and so it is cheaper to import wood from other countries. An interesting example of this is that one of the largest saw mills in this region imports a substantial amount of its wood from Sweden and Finland (neither of whicg are cheap!). However, they keep the saw mill in the Dolomites because their customers like to think that the wood is from this region, and well SOME of it is....

The great thing about studying forestry is that it doesn't entail sitting behind a desk all day! Our excursions involved interesting hikes, a visit to a bio-fuel energy plant, and checking out a flood catchment system. The work for sub-groups was also interesting. My group looked at Forest Policy and Conflict Management in the area by examining 2 case studies and talking to stakeholders involved in each of them.

Our base for the course was the town of San Vito di Cadore, a darling town surrounded by mountains and beautiful scenery. Here is the view of main street on a sunny morning, notice the Italian flag flying near the church.





















The first full day in the area was occupied for the most part by a hike in a nature area above the town of Cortina. Some of you may know this town's name as the host of the Olympic games in 1956 (I think). Nature was out on display for us that day as we had the fortune to see a pair of gold eagles and some wild mountain goats on our trek. Check out this view!
















Fortunately the rain storm in the early afternoon didn't start until AFTER we finished our lunches (there were thunderstorms almost every afternoon and some evenings too). This is where I ate my lunch that day - gosh I have a rough life don't I?

















A few days later we went to the autonomous province of Alto-Adige (also called Bolzano or Sud Tirol, South Tyrol). This area borders Austria and in fact in the past was part of Austria. To this day 70% of the inhabitants of this region of Italy speak German and many also speak another language called Ladino (not Latin - but related to the Romansch language spoken in parts of Switzerland).

It is evident quite quickly when one passes from the Italian region of Belluno to this autonomous Alto Adige region. The landscape and the forests are managed differently. As one Italian professor put it, in Aldo Adige even the cows know where they are supposed to stand to make sure the landscape looks perfect. This photo is an example of the province's picture perfect landscape.
















Although most days during the course involved study or excursions from 8 or 9 am until 6 or 7 pm. We did manage to have a bit of fun as is evident in this pic of me with colleagues Signe and Grace.





















The course was intense and exhausting but quite well done considering my scholarship program (and therefore this course) is in its first year. Along with the cultural differences we could see and feel on the excuresions there were also cultural variations within our group of 27 students from different places around the world and professors from Sweden, Denmark, Italy, England, Germany, and Nepal. Our Danish director was very focused on the time - viewing his cell phone to confirm the exact time when reports were turned in. The italian profs on the other hand were happy to take a 2 hour lunch even if it meant finishing at 7 instead of 6pm that day.

As for me, I feel quite comfortable functioning in both. I like the languid feel of time in Italy and taking the time for a chat and have a glass of wine and then an espresso after lunch. But I also like the on-time-ness and convenience of the Danish way of organizing meetings and events with precision.

I also realized on this trip that after travelling so much in the past 2 years that I am keen to keep both feet on solid ground for a little while in Scandinavia . I am tired of airports and passport checks and waiting for baggage conveyors....at least for the next 4-6 months ;-)