Summer Internship in the Congo Forest

Thomas Sigler is accompanied natives of the region

This summer was a very exciting one for Thomas Sigler, who worked with USAID in the Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Serving as a field intern for USAID’s Central African Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE) program, Thomas was posted in Epulu, Province Orientale, working directly alongside the Bronx-based Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).    While in Epulu, his main task was to assist WCS with a newly established USAID-funded livelihoods program, intended to improve quality of life in the region and to discourage further deforestation and biodiversity loss.  The region has experienced widespread deforestation due to the practice of unsustainable agricultural techniques, and biodiversity loss due to diminished animal habitat and bushmeat hunting.  Based on his previous experience working with an American non-profit in Honduras, Thomas helped create a template for a small-grants program designed to fund community-scale projects seeking to develop alternative protein or energy sources.

Though the Ituri region is often associated with conflict, Thomas reports that he encountered no problems while in the field.  “I felt very safe at all times” he noted.  When asked about his overall experience, he added “this was the opportunity of a lifetime.”  Thomas has gone back to the United States to continue his doctoral studies in the Department of Geography at Penn State University.  Once he has finished his degree, Thomas wants to return to Africa to work with USAID or another development agency.