Researchers at Vancouver Island University have received a $2-million grant to spearhead an international study in Canada, Tanzania and Ghana.

The five-year project, called the Canada-Africa Research and Learning Alliance, will focus on reducing poverty and increasing environmental sustainability in communities adjacent to national parks and other protected areas in the three countries.

Research will be conducted at two sites in Canada (Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations Tribal Parks in Tofino), three in Tanzania and two in Ghana.

Funding for the study comes from the International Development Research Centre and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.