Welcome to the

East Africa Reasearch Group of Florida

This is the beginning of what can and will grow to become one of the most interesting scientific community projects.

My name is Michael Harbuck, and in 2004, after having gained experience and knowledge at both universities and in the field, I begann to search for a position within the established biological and zoological communites. I quickly learned that without having completed an official degree, that no amount of well earned gainful experience would be sufficient to promote myself within the ranks of those in charge of large projects and or laboratories.

From my observation, and fron the classical biological literature which I have both read, and researched, it is my opinion and observation, that the classical view of biology of the field excursion and data collection best fit my goals and achievments.

I find it disconcerning, that I have read articles where the need for classical field researcher has been brought to bear, while at the same instance, those who are willing, who have the talent and the ambishion to do such work and exploration, are very often turned away from projects and associations with established scientific groups and organizations.

I want, therefore, to emphasize, that there are no minimum requirements for membership into the EARGF. Secondly, I want to make clear, that each and every person who wishes, bar serious medical concers, should be able to travel to other regions of our planet to see, hear, and enjoy the scientific beauty which abounds.

It is of course not a prerequisite to scientific exploration that one must automatically think of a new continent, however. I know from experience, that the more you learn about your own surroundings, the better ware of your niche at your present locale, je more enjoyable the short stay on this time line we have been given.

After four years of intense self study I had to make a decision as to what I would like to do. Diligently I had been observing, collecting, and documenting. It came time for me to see other things, other regions, other ecological sub systems on our planet. Logically to me, Africa, whith the diverse peolples, animals and culture as the birth place of man came into mind. Once the continent had been chosen, I then had the difficult decision of which of the truly various regions of the dark continent which I would explore, and want to do so for years to come.

Some of the reasons why one area over another was chosen by me are purely personal, such as why I automatically shied from South Africa because of being a young child during the apparteid years which took place there, and having seen this on the nightly news, was deterred from considering it as a travel destination. South Africa is certainly not what it was twenty years ago, and I know, that the flora and fauna and geology that beautuful place has no comparrisons on many a level. That did not however change my mind. The events which have lead to the misunderstandings between Moslems and those associated with them, is unfortunately a deterrent for me, as I would not want to lose a friend or scientific partner in an area where extreme danger is a daily concern, such as parts of Western Africa and Supers-Saharan Africa. My langauge abilities also came into play for the choice of region into which I myself would feel comfortable within.