Staff Profiles

- PhD (Environmental Science), Rhodes University, South Africa

- MPhil (Natural Resource Management), University of Botswana, Botswana

- PGDE (Geography Education), University of Botswana, Botswana

- BA (Environmental Science & Sociology), University of Botswana, Botswana

Dr. Garekae is a Senior Lecturer of Human Environment in the Department of Environmental Science, University of Botswana. His research interests broadly revolves around forests, livelihoods, food security, and conservation. Of recent, Dr. Garekae expanded his research fold to understand how urbanisation (re)shapes dependence on forest resources in urban areas. His PhD thesis expounded on the potential of urban green infrastructure in promoting liveable cities and enhanced livelihood resilience in South Africa. Dr. Garekae is also interested on issues dealing with access and rights to urban green spaces.

Prior to joining University of Botswana, Dr. Garekae held the position of 'Postdoctoral Research Fellow' at University of Cape Town, South Africa. During his tenure at UCT, he researched on 'Social equity on ecosystem based adaptation to climate change'. 

Dr. Garekae has published in renowned journals including Forest Policy & Economics, Society & Natural Resources, Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, Sustainable Forestry, and International Forestry Review. Similarly, he has reviewed over 50 manuscripts from various journals across the world. 

Please visit the following links to appreciate Dr. Garekae's publication record. 

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=U8aRP1gAAAAJ&hl=en

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Hesekia-Garekae-2

Undergraduate level

ENS 102: Introduction to Environmental Science - Human

ENS 352: Globalization, Socio-economic and Environmental Change

ENS 381: Introduction to Research Methods in Environmental Sciences

ENS 382: Project Proposal

ENS 401: Environmental Policy Analysis

Postgraduate level

ENS 601: Integrated Environmental Management

ENS 631: Agriculture & Environment

ENS 635: Environmental Hazards & Disaster Management

His research intersect forests, livelihoods, and conservation. Of recent, Dr. Garekae is researching on urban ecology and broadly interested on urban green spaces, urban green infrastructure, urbanisation and food security. 

Non-timber forest products and livelihoods

Sustainable tourism development

1. Shackleton C.M., Garekae H, Sardeshpande M, Sinasson-Sanni G & Twine W.C. (2024). Non-timber forest products as poverty traps: Fact or fiction? Forest Policy and Economics, 158.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2023.103114

2. Garekae H, Shackleton C.M. & Tsheboeng G. (2022). The prevalence, composition and distribution of forageable plant species in different urban spaces in two medium-sized towns in South Africa. Global Ecology & Conservation, 33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01972

3. Garekae H & Shackleton C.M. (2021). Knowledge of formal and informal regulations affecting wild plant foraging practices in urban spaces in South Africa. Society & Natural Resources, 34(12), 1546-1565

4. Garekae H, Lepetu J, Thakadu O.T, Sebina V & Tselaesele N. (2020). Community perspective on state forest management regime and its implication on forest sustainability: A case study of Chobe Forest Reserve, Botswana. Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 39(7)