Almost all of our work takes place in remote forests throughout Madagascar. However, the most intrepid field projects need a jumping off point and a waystation in between expeditions. Enter, the new Duke House, Antananarivo…consider it another version of East Campus, about 10,000 miles East (Southeast, to be exact). The Antananarivo Duke house is in the part of town called Andohalo. It is near the queen’s palace (called the Rova) and also convenient to the national University (University of Antananarivo), the center of town and markets. The U. S. Embassy, great restaurants, and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) offices are also minutes away.

The Duke House, also known as Trano Fossa (“Fossa House” in Malagasy), has three levels. The bottom floor is an open space for meetings, lectures, and gathering. The second floor is at street level (we’re on a pretty steep hill) and has the garage, kitchen, and extra bathrooms. We use the top level as dormitory and additional office space. There’ll be a big team this year, so we’ll put the space to good use. In addition, we hope Trano Fossa will also become a way-station and common gathering place for researchers and conservationists as they travel to, through, or from Tana. You may hear from some of them from time to time in future dispatches. Meanwhile, please enjoy shots of the house and of the views from our hilltop locale!