Elysa Hammond

Elysa J. Hammond is a Ph.D. candidate at Yale University in the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.  Her research interests are in tropical agroforestry, agroecology, and ethnobotany.  She conducted fieldwork for her dissertation in western Borneo from 1990 to 1995..  Her thesis is entitled “The Transformation of Peat Swamp Forest to Agroforest in Coastal West Kalimantan.

She holds a M.Phil. (1990) and Master of Forest Science from Yale University (1987).   She received her B.S. in Crop Science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (1980).

Field Research

E. Hammond also worked research and education projects in Mexico and Peru from 1982 to 1986.  In the Peruvian Amazon she studied examined the use and management of fruit trees in traditional agroforesty systems.  In Veracruz, Mexico she investigated domestic fuelwood use in forest-based communities, surveyed farmers on the health risks of pesticide use, and worked in agricultural extension.

Professional Experience

E. Hammond currently works as a consultant with the education department of the New York Botanical Garden developing and teaching a variety of ecology and botany workshops for visiting students (K-12) and teachers.  She recently edited a book for use by secondary schools called “Cultural Uses of Plants: A Guide to Learning About Ethnobotany” to be published by NYBG later this year.  Last year she taught a graduate class in Environmental Studies at Pace University. 

An Ethnobotanical Survey of Plants in the Schoolyard

Elysa J. Hammond

      I am interested in helping teachers design an outdoor laboratory exercise that combines the fields of ethnobotany and ecology.  The objective of this study would be to conduct a survey and collection of useful plants (medicinal, edible or otherwise) found in the schoolyard or other easily accessible weedy areas.  Learning the scientific background, folklore and economic uses behind the common herbs, shrubs, and trees that students see on a regular basis will hopefully make the study of these plants much more meaningful.  In the process, students will create a class herbarium-- a collection of dried, mounted plant specimens that can be used as a teaching tool in the future.  (This study can be combined with ethnobotanical interviews that students conduct at home or in their community to learn about traditional plant use in their own culture.)