Laker Wildlife Initiative News and Events

Laker Wildlife Initiative Summit

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The Laker Wildlife Initiative’s Co-Directors are thrilled to announce the inaugural Laker Wildlife Initiative Summit, taking place September 17–19, 2025 and featuring distinguished guests from the Wildlife Forensic Academy (WFA). This multi-day event is designed to engage professionals, students, and community partners in advancing the mission of wildlife forensics and conservation.

The summit opens with a day dedicated to professionals, spotlighting the innovative work of the WFA and exploring how Atlanta-area experts and organizations can support both the Academy’s global mission and our growing partnership. Attendees will learn about the WFA’s pioneering work, ongoing developments, and collaborative opportunities to make a tangible impact.

Day two shifts focus to students, offering immersive sessions that showcase WFA’s educational approach and the unique ways we are bridging the gap in wildlife forensic training here at Clayton State. The day will also highlight our upcoming study abroad program to Cape Town and the Wildlife Forensic Academy, providing students with pathways to gain international experience and hands-on skills in wildlife crime investigation.

The summit culminates in a cocktail gala—an evening of networking, celebration, and philanthropy. This special event will raise funds to support student travel to the WFA, lay the groundwork for establishing a US-based WFA training facility in Georgia complete with a border security component, and help launch the Laker Forensic Sciences Institute. Join us as we build a vibrant community committed to innovation, education, and global leadership in wildlife forensics.

USG Goes Global – Cape Town, South Africa (2026-2028)

Dr. Andrea Allen directs this study abroad program, which takes students to Cape Town, South Africa, and the Wildlife Forensic Academy (WFA) at Buffelsfontein Nature Reserve, just an hour north of the city. Students will complete two for-credit courses: POLS 2401 Global Issues: Wildlife Crime and Conservation and FOSC 3600 Wildlife Forensics. The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on training in WFA’s state-of-the-art forensic experience lab, where students investigate realistic wildlife crime scenes and learn evidence collection techniques used to combat poaching and trafficking. In addition to coursework, students will participate in excursions throughout the region, gaining a deeper understanding of conservation challenges and solutions in the field.