Lindsey Fransen is a second year student in the Energy and Resources Group. She has been in Durango and Michoacán, Mexico interviewing forestry engineers and community members as she studies the forms of communal forest management which have emerged in Mexico’s ejidos and comunidades indígenas following a reform in the agrarian law in 1992.

She writes:

“I’ve been in Mexico for about 1 ½ months. All has gone incredibly smoothly so far, which I really didn’t expect. I anticipated delays, difficulties in getting to the communities, hesitance to participate. Instead my contacts have been overwhelmingly willing to help out – within an hour of meeting people, I find myself with permission to work in the communities, maps and data from the foresters who work there, offers of transport and a place to stay and. The people I’ve approached to interview have been so helpful, sharing their perspectives and experiences openly though they just met me. Also, I have several new Mexican mamás who have been feeding me constantly; I recommend gorditas de nopalitos and rajas con queso, also elote with limón and chile.

My best experiences so far, and the most interesting people I’ve met, were in my first ‘study site,’ an indigenous Purhe’pecha community near Patzcuaro. I stayed with the family of a forestry engineer who probably could be living in a city with a good salary, but is committed to improving the conditions of his community and has an impressive vision for the management of the forest. Four adorable kids and extended family members were constantly popping in to say hello. I became rather attached, and while the work has been easier in the later sites, I actually enjoyed myself most there.

My advice to future students is to have confidence that you’ll be able to do the research, that it will be interesting and fulfilling, and to be brave about approaching people and asking for what you need. Also, I think people respond to interest with information and openness, to trust with being trustworthy, and to sincerity with the same.”

To talk to Lindsey more about her travels and research you may reach her at lfransen (at) berkeley (dot) edu.