Grassland To Gralssland [Sand Hills to Windhoek]

Well, its finally time for me to leave the United States. June 6 2009, will find me looking at the Windhoek skyline after a long journey from Omaha to Atlanta to Joberg [spend the night], and finally flying into Namibia.

I can tell many of you are probably thinking right now… “So what are you doing in Namibia?”
Answer: economic research involving wildlife conservancies that are either freehold [private landowners working together] or communal [just like US reservations] and I'll be tracking the benefits while conducting benefit/cost analysis. This work is part of my graduate research I will use once I'm finally enrolled into a solid grad program.

I’ll stop right there. Many find economics to be boring, but trust me this is great work with applications there and here in the Great Plains.

This is a big step for me in developing my worldview. I have never left the North American continent before and have relied on magzines, newspapers, and world of mouth about distant countries. I’m extremely excited about what awaits me in Africa!

I’ve been lucky enough to spend nearly 4 great years in Nebraska going to school, networking with so many amazing organizations, and meeting amazing people. Part of me wants to stay in this security net, but I know great opportunity and beauty awaits me in Namibia.

I want to thank everyone who has supported me in college and going to Namibia, especially my family. I’m so blessed to have had everyone's support through good and bad.

Mom and Dad, thank-you so much for everything you’ve done. None of this would be possible without your support. I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done for me! You both mean the world to me.

Lindsey and Clayton, I expect a wild barn dance party at your wedding and wish you the best of luck with planning and preparation. I’m looking forward to having both sides of the family meet up for the first time on Gracie Creek this summer. I’ll have a good slide show to present to everybody.

Everyone else, I could go on, but please know I’m not forgetting you. Every summer the family just keeps growing and growing due to weddings and finding distant relatives. What a joy to be surrounded by such a beautiful family. I love you all.

Kate and Penny, you both deserve a special recognition. Your basement, love, and hospitality has been one of the last stepping stones for me launching into my professional career. Please know, I consider you the long lost aunties in the family, along with the two dogs Dexter and Sophie. We shared a lot of experiences in a short 5-month period, and I appreciate all the grandma knowledge each of you shared in our long nights of conversation.

Please continue to take good care of my great grandmothers houseplants. They have a good home in the sweet hot tub room. I hope one day to share another garden project with the two of you.

Friends: it’s been a great time in Lincoln and elsewhere with you all. The going away party made me realize how blessed I am. I look forward to coming back and meeting again with good food and drinks to catch up and share stories. Its going to be tough sitting in my bedroom late at night knowing I can’t call or walk over to someone’s place to talk or hangout. But please know, if you need to talk I’m all ears even in Namibia.

Tyler, I do want to personally thank-you for opening me up to your hybrid ranching/conservation world and all your amazing connections. If Chris never came to speak two years ago and tour the ranch, I don’t think I’d ever be writing this letter with the word “Namibia” and “ecotourism” in the body. Its been a pleasure working for you and Grassland Foundation, and I’m so excited about what awaits me this summer and fall with WWF. You played such a huge roll in paving the way for me from the Sand Hills of Nebraska to the Sand Dunes of Namibia grasslands. Thank-you so much!

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I love grasslands. They’re such an immense source of inspiration to me and it’s probably no surprise that I’m finding myself traveling to another region’s grassland ecosystem.

Grasslands are in trouble.

They’re the least protected ecosystem in all of the protected areas on the planet. Ecotourism strikes a good balance of production and conservation needed to maintain healthy economies, land, and people. I'm excited to be involved in this type of work.

Things have a way of coming around again. I hope my research will be helpful upon my return and I feel blessed to be working with Chris and WWF in this process.

I’ve never believed in good-byes. We’ll all meet again, but the leaving process is never easy.

Again, thank-you all for your support, friendship, and love.

Please stay tuned for photographs and stories. I promise many of each. 8D

Till we meet again,

Aaron