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A cleaner, greener, healthier British Virgin Islands

goersab — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:00:00 +0000

A cleaner, greener, healthier British Virgin Islandsgoersab October 21, 2025

Harrigan creates sustainable practices to preserve resources for future generations

East of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea lies the British Virgin Islands, an archipelago made up of four main islands and more than 50 smaller islands.

As senior project manager at Green VI, a nonprofit focused on environmental improvements and sustainable practices on the British Virgin Islands, Natasha Harrigan seeks to create positive human behavior change to lessen the impact of stressors on the environment. She has been with Green VI for four years.

Natasha Harrigan, left, and the Green VI team at Elmore Stoutt High School Garden / Natasha Harrigan

“Coming from a territory made up of small islands, rocks and cays that are filled with endemic flora and fauna, I understand the intricacy of small ecosystems and how interconnected they all are. The loss of any part of these systems can have lasting effects. The conservation of our wild places is very important, more now than ever due to climate change and human impact,” said Harrigan, a 2020 P.S.M. conservation biology alum.

Harrigan, who previously worked with the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands for seven years, has contributed to stakeholder meetings on conservation and sustainability of the territory, including those attended by the British Virgin Islands Premier Natalio Wheatley.

She is also responsible for the infrastructural and curriculum development of 11 public school garden classrooms, including at BVI ��. largest high school, Elmore Stoutt High School, in Road Town.

“I mostly work with students in the school gardens. The trickle effect of the behavior change from students to parents is always great and proves positive results, which I am always proud of,” she said.

Natasha Harrigan, center in blue, standing next to British Virgin Islands Premier Natalio Wheatley after contributing to a stakeholder meeting / Natasha Harrigan

Harrigan is responsible for the development and maintenance of two Green VI Ecopark Gardens and the development of the territory ��. organics management plan.

“This plan will have long-lasting effects for future generations, and I hope that I can impact my community by contributing to a much cleaner, greener, healthier environment for our territory,” she said.

Currently, at least 40% of food and paper waste enters the territory ��. landfill. Through the organics management plan, Harrigan hopes to:

Create a healthy compost product that can be used by local gardeners and farmers.
Contribute to food security, as the territory is susceptible to hurricanes.
Reduce the amount of methane gas released into the atmosphere at the landfill.
Reduce greenhouse gas pollution.

“Sustainable practices should be backed by legislation, but be balanced by taking into account the social, economic and environmental perspectives of these conservation efforts. This is very important in order to have healthy environments and resources for future generations,” she said.

Harrigan chose ��'s P.S.M. in conservation biology program because of her keen interest and love of the subjects offered, such as biostatistics and conservation biology.

Natasha Harrigan holding mulch made of tree clippings, an additive to compost / Natasha Harrigan

“I also liked having the option to write a paper, conduct research or simply fulfill credits through writing courses. This flexibility made me feel relaxed in knowing that as I maneuvered through the program, I would be able to choose the best option that could help me to be more educated and contribute to conservation efforts in my community,” said Harrigan, who completed her professional science master ��. degree in the midst of two hurricanes.

“Natasha ��. story is one of excellence through perseverance,” said biology Professor and P.S.M. Program Director Mike Bessert. “In 2017, when much of the island ��. infrastructure was obliterated, and the location where she had carried out her co-op was completely flattened, I consistently tried to reach her to no avail for several months and presumed the worst. Finally, I received a reply to one of my messages.

“Natasha made her way to, I think, the sole remaining cell tower in the area that regained function and was able to communicate. Over time, the towns and villages recovered. Given the devastation and disruption, she could have easily bowed out of the program, but she resumed as quickly as she could and completed the program in stellar fashion,” he said.

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January 25, 2025

Harrigan creates sustainable practices to preserve resources for future generations Natasha Harrigan

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P.S.M. Conservation Biology

Address the human impact on our world and seek ways to preserve threatened and endangered species, habitats, and ecosystems through research and reason.

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Conservation biologists work to protect biodiversity, restore ecosystems, promote sustainable use of land, inform policy and public awareness, and manage natural resources. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the overall employment of conservation scientists and foresters to grow 3% over the next decade, with an average of about 3,600 openings projected each year.

�� . Career Services’ First Destination Report found that fully 100% of its P.S.M. program graduates are employed within six months of graduation, with an average starting salary of $49,000.

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Search Keywords: PSM conservation biologyProfessional Science Masters in conservation biology

Michael Bessert

Research Interests

I am interested in fish evolution, systematics, and conservation. Much of my current work is focused on molecular systematics, population genetics, and phylogeography in the North American freshwater fish genus Cycleptus (blue suckers), a group that inhabits large rivers in the Mississippi, Rio Grande, and Mobile basins of North America.

I am the first researcher to investigate genetic structure (on multiple levels) in the genus. Mitochondrial data clearly indicate the presence of a new, undescribed species from the Rio Grande basin. In addition, nuclear markers have revealed impacts of dams on genetic structure in the Missouri River as well as incomplete lineage sorting (in particular, an allophyletic condition) between the two described species. This work has important conservation implications as the genus occurs in 22 states, but none of the three species are considered stable in any of them (S3, vulnerable > SX, presumed extirpated).

I have also initiated or participated in other molecular genetic-based investigations in ecology, evolution, and behavior, such as research to characterize the molecular evolution of HIV-Clade C in Zambian mother/infant pairs. More recent efforts include a project to examine cloning frequency in a native plains thistle (Cirsium undulatum), studies of genetic mating systems in the nurseryfish (Kurtus gulliveri) of Australia and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) of North America, phylogeographic studies in the plains topminnow (Fundulus sciadicus), and initiation of a long-term ichthyomonitoring project (incl. effects of drought) of fish assemblages in the Platte River forks of western Nebraska.

A new project that is taking shape here at Stout involves the assessment of genetic structure in native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) populations of the Driftless Area in western Wisconsin. This is a developing collaboration between Dr. Chuck Bomar, John Sours and others in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), and Trout Unlimited (TU), a private organization.

�� lies on the northern rim of the Driftless Area, a region that was encircled - but untouched – by ice sheets during the last glacial maximum. The degree to which this ‘pocket’ within the ice acted as a refugium for aquatic organisms is largely unknown. It is possible that brook trout populations survived within. This species is popular among fly fishing enthusiasts and has been stocked in many regional drainages.

Still, there are a number of disjunct areas that contain populations which have never been stocked. These are of highest interest to the WDNR because stocked trout tend not to survive well in many (most?) streams. From an applied management standpoint, the WDNR would like to know how ‘genetically unique’ these endemic populations really are and, secondly, how much hybridization occurs in stocked streams.

Additional basic questions involve ascertainment of historical demographic patterns and an estimation of divergence time between unstocked endemics and other populations outside the Driftless Area. Using molecular techniques, we can directly test the refugium hypothesis. If the area did serve in this capacity, it is plausible that there are one or more cryptic, undescribed species in the region.

I actively seek the participation of undergraduates in all of my research endeavors – both in the field and in the laboratory. As a professional educator, I know the value of hands-on, inquiry-based experiences. If you are interested in working in my lab.

Full Name: Michael L. Bessert, Ph.D.

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Forestry stewardship in Michigan ��. Upper Peninsula

goersab — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Forestry stewardship in Michigan ��. Upper Peninsulagoersab October 21, 2025

Carlson ��. conservation efforts aid in natural regeneration of wild places

Abbey Goers

The Ottawa National Forest in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan covers nearly one million acres, with more than 500 lakes and nearly 2,000 miles of rivers and streams flowing into Lake Superior.

As stewardship coordinator with the U.S. Forest Service, Craig Carlson, headquartered in Ironwood, ensures conservation of and sustainable practices within the forest.

U.S. Forest Service Stewardship Coordinator Craig Carlson / Craig Carlson

“The conservation of wild places is essential. The uninhibited vegetative growth patterns of these locations can be studied and provide wildlife refuge. A well-thought-out forestry management plan will provide wild places and suitable habitat for species, along with providing the resources our communities need,” said Carlson, a 2018 P.S.M. conservation biology alum.

Interacting with partner organizations and coworkers enlightens Carlson to the vast scope of work that is needed – from programs that provide temporary habitat for various species to dam removal and stream restoration, pollinator plant germination, planting and more.

Carlson reviews project specifications and ensures they align with the stewardship authority and works with external partners to achieve landscape restoration. He ensures programs run smoothly and within the limitations of the authority for contracts, following individual timelines for simultaneous projects, each needing a detailed review while meeting the scope and scale requirements.

“Lumber is necessary to sustain our way of living and is a large economic driver of this area. I hope I make a difference through providing restoration to the forest and wildlife after timber harvests. Stewardship helps to remove nonnative invasive plants and replant species or prepare the area for natural regeneration after a timber harvest,” he added.

A lake in the Ottawa National Forest / Craig Carlson

Carlson hopes to add to his positive impact on future generations with the uplifting message in his book “Look Ahead Moon,” a story about appreciating the gifts we each have.

“The P.S.M. conservation biology program allowed schedule flexibility and a diverse catalog of courses, from aquatic sustainability to wildlife management. If you have an interest in natural resources, there is a path through this program to meet your future professional goals,” said Carlson, who completed his internship as a biological science technician with the Bureau of Land Management, in Vernal, Utah.

He performed survey work there and collected data for his thesis, which focused on lead uptake in scavenging raptors, including the golden eagle, said biology Professor and P.S.M. Program Director Mike Bessert.

“Craig had a military background in the Air Force. He is one of many military students that we have served. He was an excellent student with a diverse skill set, and he ��. passionate about his position with the U.S. Forest Service,” Bessert added.

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A cleaner, greener, healthier British Virgin Islands

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October 21, 2025

Forestry stewardship in Michigan ��. Upper Peninsula

Carlson ��. conservation efforts aid in natural regeneration of wild places

October 21, 2025

Can Trump just order new names for Denali and the Gulf of Mexico?

Geography professor Innisfree McKinnon explains if POTUS can just order new names for Denali and the Gulf of Mexico.

January 25, 2025

Carlson ��. conservation efforts aid in natural regeneration of wild places Craig Carlson

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Address the human impact on our world and seek ways to preserve threatened and endangered species, habitats, and ecosystems through research and reason.

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�� . Career Services’ First Destination Report found that fully 100% of its P.S.M. program graduates are employed within six months of graduation, with an average starting salary of $49,000.

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Michael Bessert

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Full Name: Michael L. Bessert, Ph.D.

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Curriculum Vitae: Dr. Michael L. Bessert CV (447.23 KB)

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University: University of Nebraska

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Can Trump just order new names for Denali and the Gulf of Mexico?

hugginsm — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 16:45:27 +0000

Can Trump just order new names for Denali and the Gulf of Mexico?hugginsm January 25, 2025

Geography professor Innisfree McKinnon explains who decides what goes on the map.

Innisfree McKinnon

This article appeared in Scientific American, Fast Company, News Break and others, and originated from The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.

President Donald Trump ��. executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska ��. Denali, the tallest peak in the country, has resulted in lots of discussion. While for some, such renaming might seem less important than the big problems the country faces, there is a formal process in the United States for renaming places, and that process is taken seriously.

Usually, so people don’t get confused, official, agreed-upon names are used by the government. In the U.S., place names are standardized by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, which is part of the U.S. Geological Survey, the agency in charge of making maps.

In his executive order, Trump asks the Board on Geographic Names “to honor the contributions of visionary and patriotic Americans” and change its policies and procedures to reflect that.

Usually, renaming a place starts locally. The people in the state or county propose a name change and gather support. The process in each state is different.

Lake Bde Maka Ska, formerly Lake Calhoun, is the largest lake in Minneapolis. / YinYang/E+ via Getty

How to change a place name

Minnesota recently changed the name of a large lake in Minneapolis to Bde Maka Ska, which the Minneapolis Park Board described as “a Dakota name for the lake that has been passed down in oral history for many years.”

The board voted to change the name and took its request to the county commissioners. When the county agreed, the request was then sent to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which made it official for Minnesota. Then, the state of Minnesota sent the request to the Board on Geographic Names, which made it official for the entire U.S.

It ��. a lot of paperwork for something so seemingly minor, but people get passionate about place names. It took 40 years to rename Denali from the name established in the late 19th century, Mount McKinley.

The state of Alaska requested the name change in 1975, but the Board on Geographic Names didn’t take action. Members of the Ohio congressional delegation – President William McKinley was from Ohio – objected over many years to requests to rename the mountain, and the board did not act on those requests.

The president appoints the secretary of the Interior Department. The secretary works with the heads of related agencies to appoint the Board on Geographic Names. Current committee policy states, “Input from State geographic names authorities, land management agencies, local governments, and Tribal Governments are actively pursued.”

In 2015, President Barack Obama named a new leader for the Department of the Interior, Sally Jewell. Just as Obama made a trip to Alaska in late August 2015, Jewell declared the name change official under a law that allows the secretary of the Interior to change a name if the board doesn’t act on the proposal in a “reasonable” amount of time.

Today we’re returning Mount McKinley to its native name - Denali, a step to reflect the heritage of Alaska Natives. pic.twitter.com/WyzQImKymX
— President Obama (@POTUS44) August 31, 2015

“This name change recognizes the sacred status of Denali to many Alaska Natives,” Jewell said. “The name Denali has been official for use by the State of Alaska since 1975, but even more importantly, the mountain has been known as Denali for generations. With our own sense of reverence for this place, we are officially renaming the mountain Denali in recognition of the traditions of Alaska Natives and the strong support of the people of Alaska.”

You won’t find the Gulf of America on any map. / Sean Gladwell/Moment via Getty

If someone objects to a name change, they could ask the courts to rule on whether the name change was made legally. Going back to Bde Maka Ska, some people objected to changing the name from Lake Calhoun, so they took the state natural resources agency to court. Eventually, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the name change was done correctly.

Alaska ��. two U.S. senators and prominent state figures have strongly objected to Trump ��. renaming attempt.

How not to change a place name

Renaming the Gulf of Mexico is a different kind of case, however, from renaming a geographic place within U.S. borders.

The gulf is not within the territorial U.S. On the coast, the first 12 miles from shore are considered part of that country, but outside of that is international waters.

The Board on Geographic Names could change the name to Gulf of America on official U.S. maps, but there is no international board in charge of place names. Each country decides what to call places. And there is no official way for the U.S. to make other countries change the name.

It ��. possible that the U.S. could formally ask other countries to change the name, or even impose sanctions against countries that don’t comply.

If the names were officially changed in the U.S., the government would use the new names in official documents, signage and maps. As for all the people and companies in the world that make maps, they usually use the official names. But there is nothing that would force them to, if they believed that a certain name is more widely recognized.

On Jan. 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Interior issued a statement on the name changes:

“In accordance with President Donald J. Trump ��. recent executive order, the Department of the Interior is proud to announce the implementation of name restorations that honor the legacy of American greatness, with efforts already underway.

"As directed by the President, the Gulf of Mexico will now officially be known as the Gulf of America and North America ��. highest peak will once again bear the name Mount McKinley….The U.S. Board on Geographic Names, under the purview of the Department of the Interior, is working expeditiously to update the official federal nomenclature in the Geographic Names Information System to reflect these changes, effective immediately for federal use.”

This story has been updated to reflect the Department of Interior ��. statement on Jan. 25, 2025.

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Geography professor Innisfree McKinnon explains if POTUS can just order new names for Denali and the Gulf of Mexico. Denali Park Mountain Range

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Innisfree McKinnon

Brief Biography: I am a human-environment geographer with GIS expertise. I'm trained as a political ecologist and have done research on environmental and community planning, conservation conflicts, loss of agricultural land to urbanization, rural tourism, sustainable cites, use of GIS and mapping in the social sciences and humanities, and spaces for children/youth. I teach a wide range of courses including general geography courses, environmental & food studies, and GIS.

If you need help with GIS or geospatial technologies, please refer to my website or YouTube channel.

Teaching Interests: human geography, environmental studies, geographic information systems

Research Interests: community and regional planning, conservation planning, political ecology, geographies of food and agriculture, urban-rural interactions, geographies of tourism and recreation, participatory and critical GIS, citizen science, critical geographies of children and youth

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Curriculum Vitae: Dr. Innisfree McKinnon CV (282.81 KB)

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Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Geography

University: University of Oregon

Degree: M.A. Geography/Landscape Architecture

University: University of California, Davis

Degree: B.S. Environmental Science

University: Antioch College

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PHOTO ESSAY: An Un-Belize-able Venture into the Neotropics

goersab — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 18:54:09 +0000

PHOTO ESSAY: An Un-Belize-able Venture into the Neotropicsgoersab January 29, 2024

Join three students on their Study Abroad experience

Abbey Goers

In January, while temperatures drop to the single digits in Wisconsin, 14 undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Wisconsin-Stout venture into the Belize rainforest and barrier reef to observe wildlife and discover the history of the Mayan people.

For 11 days, they are studying the Central American country ��. diverse species and ecosystems in a Natural History of the Neotropics course, led annually by �� biology Professor Michael Bessert.

Among the travelers are Paige Letter and Lindsey Ward, two master's in conservation biology students, for whom the trip's focus on biodiversity and conservation, as well as how the people of Belize live day-to-day, is especially critical to their studies.

But the course isn't just for graduate students. It is open to all majors and satisfies academic requirements that undergraduates must fulfill before graduation.

Study abroad opportunities are a part of Stout Core, foundational general education classes at Wisconsin ��. ��. Through Stout Core, students gain global perspective, communication and critical thinking skills, ethical reasoning and more so they graduate ready to do more on day one.

“I’ve always felt these study abroad programs are among the more highly impactful opportunities for our students,” said Bessert, conservation biology program director.

The class hikes to the Red Bank Scarlet Macaw Viewing Area. / Lindsey Ward

Hiking to the Red Bank Scarlet Macaw Viewing Area is no walk in the park. The class treks through the jungle, up steep dirt pathways, around trees thick with crowding branches. The view from the top is worth the climb.

They watch a huge flock of scarlet macaws fly directly overhead, wings spread wide and long tails trailing behind, like phoenixes blazing through the trees.

“I was happy to be around people who were just as fascinated by the macaws as I was,” said Ward, originally from Omaha, Neb. “We could hear them screeching as we hiked back down the trail. It was one of the most incredible events in my life.

“To witness firsthand the incredible biodiversity that Belize has to offer and the species that deserve to be protected, my appreciation for conservation has become even more ingrained in me,” she added.

A view of the clearing overlooking the canopy. / Paige Letter

Letter, of Eau Claire, struggles on the hike, and a guide stays back with her, showing her a clearing overlooking the canopy where she watches more than 50 macaws feeding, flying and perching in the valley below.

Scarlet macaws in flight. / Paige Letter

“To be by myself, fear of what might lurk in the vegetation, but finding tranquility, I was overcome with emotions seeing these beautiful, endangered birds flourishing once more,” Letter said, recalling the book “The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw” by Bruce Barcott.

“On this trip, I found my inner strength to battle fears and any trepidations,” she added. “There was a discovery of an inner calmness that made me grateful to be able to be present in this wild, wonderful world.”

Kuester on a tour of the Sittee River and mangroves. Photo by Hunter Kuester / Hunter Kuester

On a tour of the lagoons on the Sittee River, Hunter Kuester, a hotel, restaurant and tourism management student, dons his Whistling Straits Golf Course baseball cap and stands at the front of a small speedboat, arms stretched out catching the wind.

Mangrove trees tangle their roots to either side, arcing above the water before diving deep into the murky riverbed.

“I wanted to study abroad to broaden my cultural focus outside of the United States, experience a completely new environment, explore traditions and cuisines outside of my own and dive deeper into what a lab class could really be,” said Kuester, of Watertown.

A beached coconut. / Paige Letter

Feeling the smooth grit of white sand between her toes on the beach near their villa on the Sittee River, Letter, whose focus is plant conservation, listens to the rush of waves on the shore. Coconuts are abundant. The smell of salt water lingers on the breeze.

Looking around though, she notices the microplastics, bottles and trash that wash ashore. Birds rifle through litter to find food, and she sees a crab has made its home out of a broken plastic bottle.

“It was heartbreaking. There is a plethora of plant specimens to study in the tropics,” she said. “The threat of global warming and pollution is imminent. Seeing the plants, animals and aquatic species that are already in danger of extinction made me feel blessed to see them before they may be gone.”

A gray angelfish swims in the Belize Barrier Reef. / Lindsey Ward

After a five-mile boat ride out into the Caribbean Sea, the class lands at Bread and Butter Caye and explores the Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world.

Floating on the surface and diving among the local wildlife, they snorkel and observe the interactions between the corals and the many fish that dart about. A large gray angelfish glides past Ward, its wide, heart-shaped, speckled body cutting gracefully through the warm water.

“The reef ecosystem provides food and habitat for so many different species,” she said. “But I also thought about how damaging it would be to have such a complex ecosystem destroyed by human activity.”

The dock at Bread and Butter Caye. / Paige Letter

Having never swam in open waters before, Letter admits to being a little scared. But her fear melts away when she sees the beauty under the water.

“I was reminded of how small I felt in this giant world. There was a great sense of calmness away from the bustling city life,” she said.

Fresh produce at the farmer ��. market in San Ignacio. / Paige Letter

At the farmer ��. market in San Ignacio, Letter is overwhelmed by the variety of produce and foods. The sweet smell of fruits, grilled vegetables and beans from the cooking tents fill the air as people join in conversation.

“Getting to experience the cultures here firsthand really made me appreciate the farmers that put so much love and passion into their products,” she said.

Letter at the base of Temple I, in Tikal National Park. / Paige Letter

Crossing the border into Guatemala, the class walks among the Mayan temple ruins at Tikal National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Temple I, also known as Temple of the Great Jaguar, built nearly 1,300 years ago, rises above Letter, as her arms outstretch in awe.

Kuester at the top of Temple IV, in Tikal National Park / Hunter Kuester

“What giant beauties!” she said. “The engineering, time and hard work that it took to build these temples was dedication to the utmost degree. If only I could have been a fly on the wall during the peak time of the Mayan population here. To see the everyday life of the priests and elites would be eye-opening.”

The Mayan population of the classic period, A.D. 250-900, far exceeded the population of Belize today.

Crossing the central plaza, past Temples II and III, Kuester and Ward join their classmates in a climb of more than 200 uneven steps to the peak of Temple IV, rising above the lush greenery of the Guatemalan jungle.

A view of the Guatemalan jungle from the top of the temple. / Lindsey Ward

Being surrounded by classmates at the top of the temple is a special moment for Ward, who is relieved to finish the climb as she gazes out across the canopy and sees other Mayan structures towering above the trees in the distance.

“I was amazed by how many trees I could see and the thought of the Mayans building such a tall structure so long ago,” she said.

Edgar the one-eyed jaguar, at the Belize Zoo. / Paige Letter

Meeting another jaguar face-to-face - this one not of stone but of prowling muscle and spotted coat - is the highlight of Letter's trip. At the Belize Zoo, a wildlife education center and rescue and rehabilitation facility, Edgar the one-eyed jaguar approaches the fence. Letter's body goes numb and her heart melts.

“This beautiful creature came out, tail wagging and excited to see me. I felt a mix of fear from seeing a large predator, sadness to see the injuries he received, joy that he is in safe hands and something deep in my soul that connected to him in that moment,” she added. “I could have spent all day just being there with him.”

Winter science course takes students on eye-opening tour of Belize

For Brianna O’Brien, it wasn’t just when class members hiked four miles up a mountain, guided by a naturalist, to breathtaking views of a double waterfall.

For many of the students, this trip will be a core memory in their polytechnic experience, one that helps them build confidence in stepping out of their comfort zone, connecting with others and appreciating different cultures, skills that will last a lifetime.

For Bessert, their instructor and guide, it ��. a chance every year to teach about something central to his life. As an undergraduate, Bessert took part in three study abroad courses, one focusing on biodiversity in Belize. Thirty years later, he still works with some of the people he met back then.

“Consequently, we are among old friends and treated as family rather than tourists,” he said.

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Discover what Environmental & Conservation Science students do on location in Belize in our Natural History of the Neotropics class. tikal_national_park_by_paige_letter.jpg

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Michael Bessert

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Curriculum Vitae: Dr. Michael L. Bessert CV (447.23 KB)

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Biological Science

University: University of Nebraska

Degree: M.S. Biological Science

University: University of Nebraska

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University: Concordia University

Degree: B.S. Biology, Physical Education

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University ��. energy conservation project approved

goersab — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 15:20:55 +0000

University ��. energy conservation project approvedgoersab July 27, 2022

New array of solar panels part of �� . commitment to be carbon-neutral by 2050

Abbey Goers

A multibuilding energy conservation project at �� has been approved by the Wisconsin State Building Commission, part of a $71 million approval for key projects across the state.

The project will provide a 400-kilowatt rooftop solar photovoltaic array on the General Services Building and Jarvis Hall Tech Wing.

General Services rooftop / ��

The project also includes LED lighting upgrades in Applied Arts, Harvey Hall, Jarvis Hall and the Sports and Fitness Center; building envelope weatherization improvements in 22 campus buildings; and installing new destratification fans in the Sports and Fitness Center.

The budget is estimated at $2,767,000. Construction is expected to begin in January 2023, with completion in March 2024.

The engineering design report determined the project will reduce campus annual electric energy purchases by 9% and natural gas usage by 2%. It is expected to save �� approximately $172,187 annually. Payback on the cost is expected in about 16 years, estimated Zenon Smolarek, associate director of Facilities Management.

Sustainability Manager Kadi Wright / ��

Sustainability Manager Kadi Wright is excited about the university ��. continuing efforts to address climate change. “The project will help decrease Stout's carbon emissions by 1,431 metric tons annually,” she said.

“As a Charter Signatory of the Carbon Commitment, this will help Stout in our commitment to being carbon-neutral by 2050.”

The savings will be measured, verified and guaranteed by the Energy Service Company. Franklin Energy, a conservation consultant that delivers energy efficiency programs for more than 60 utility and government partners across the U.S. and Canada, reviewed the proposal.

The university will also utilize the solar photovoltaic array for student and community educational purposes.

The General Services Building / ��

Projects around the state as part of the $71 million approval will include electrical and water system upgrades; building expansions to improve safety; and landscape enhancements within state-owned facilities such as museums; departments of corrections, health services, military and veterans affairs, and natural resources, as well as various UW System schools.

“These projects are critical for modernizing our state ��. infrastructure and helping to make sure our buildings are operating efficiently and safely,” said Gov. Tony Evers in a recent announcement.

Price Commons solar project

Installation of solar panels on Price Commons / ��

A previous energy project, completed in the spring of 2021, added 122 solar panels to the existing 32 panels on the rooftop of Merle M. Price Commons, which houses the main University Dining facility.

The 145 solar panels, with 59.6 kilowatts, generate about 8% of the building ��. energy needs and cover 25% of its roof. The project was funded thanks to $150,000 in student Green Fees, a student campus sustainability initiative.

As part of its efforts, the university switched from coal to natural gas as its main source of campus heat in March 2020.

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New array of solar panels part of �� . commitment to be carbon-neutral by 2050 20220518_jarvishall_6784.jpg

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Sun power: More solar panels added to Price Commons

Driven by student campus sustainability initiatives, University of Wisconsin-Stout ��. Merle M. Price Commons is more than tripling its ability to tap the sun to

Hero Caption: Solar panels will be installed on the rooftop of Jarvis Hall, as part of an energy conservation project approved by the State Building Commission.

Sustainability Office

��'s Sustainability Office works to foster a culture of sustainability among the campus and in the community.

�� . Sustainability Office is the central resource for sustainability on campus.

We coordinate and manage �� . sustainability priorities and projects, from energy to waste to transportation and much more. We work to engage students and staff in our campus’ many sustainability initiatives, to build a culture of sustainability at ��.

Kadi Wright

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Kadi is the campus Sustainability Manager, working on ways to improve sustainability on campus.

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Winter science course takes students on eye-opening tour of Belize

polingj — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 16:54:00 +0000

Winter science course takes students on eye-opening tour of Belizepolingj February 2, 2022

First-hand experiences with biodiversity, culture make powerful impressions

For student Brianna O’Brien, it wasn’t just when class members hiked four miles up a mountain, guided by a naturalist, to breathtaking views of a double waterfall. Or when they swam in a tropical lagoon at night and witnessed bioluminescence — the water flashing blue from light given off by protozoans that surrounded them.

It was everything during the Jan. 5 to Jan. 16 trip to Belize with 12 classmates and two professors from University of Wisconsin-Stout that made it an impactful, life-changing experience.

“This experience was beyond beneficial for me personally and will be in my career,” said O’Brien, a senior from Spring Valley majoring in applied science with a concentration in biology.

Students Lindsay Penkala, left, and Brianna O’Brien, enjoyed exploring the Tikal cave, an ancient Mayan site, while taking the winter course in Belize. / Photo by Brianna O'Brien

Lindsay Penkala, an applied science-biology senior from Elburn, Ill., feels the same way. “This was probably the best experience in my whole life.”

Belize is in Central America, southeast of Mexico, on the Caribbean coast. The students, seven undergraduate and six from the Professional Science Master ��. in conservation biology, were in the Winterm course Natural History of the Neotropics.

“Being a biology student I wanted to put my knowledge that I’ve gained at Stout into a real life experience, and this was the perfect opportunity to do so,” O’Brien said.

The trip was divided between three sites, each for about three days:

Students and professors Mike Bessert, front on ground, and Steve Nold, second from right in back, stop in front of a giant strangler fig tree. / Contributed photo

Sittee Point and Hopkins in southern Belize. They saw several forests — lowland, coastal mangrove, tropical montane and bamboo — and visited Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve.
Isla Zafiro Marine Station, a roughly one-acre island two miles offshore. They also went to the barrier reef — the second largest in the world — another several miles into the ocean.
San Ignacio in western Belize. Day trips were taken to the ancient Mayan ruins at Caracol, a historic Mayan ceremonial cave, and the Belize Zoo.

“We champion experiential learning at Stout, and this may be the epitome of that,” Professor Mike Bessert said. “I love all my courses, but this is one of my favorites because it ��. high impact in so many ways.”

Science on the edge

Two weeks of classes were held before the trip. Once in Belize, students had to be mentally and physically prepared.

“You have to be adventurous and willing to maybe endure some extreme conditions at times. Students come in knowing that,” Bessert said. “Most years we spend a little time discussing what fears or challenges they want to overcome, like water, heights, an animal or maybe spiders. We’ve never had a student not overcome something. Gaining self-confidence is a huge part of the experience.”

A brown anole on Isla Zafiro was among the diverse flora and fauna students experienced on the trip. / Photo by Mike Bessert

They snorkeled in the barrier reef with sharks and rays nearby, for example.

“I had to overcome a lot of obstacles that I wouldn’t necessarily be faced with in the U.S. Taking those challenges head on had an impact on me and made me take a step out of my comfort zone,” O’Brien said.

Taking the course is “an uncomfortable leap of faith, but the payoff is incredible,” she added.

Penkala loved spelunking in the Mayan cave and learning about its grim history. “It felt almost like we were transported back into the past and were exploring in the time of the Mayans,” she said.

The cave helped reinforce what the class was about. Collapse of the local Mayan civilization beginning around 900 A.D. was caused mostly by deforestation, resulting in lack of rain and eventually human sacrifices at the cave in an attempt to bring rain, Bessert said.

“Too often we don’t learn from history,” Bessert said. “The predominant focus of the class is natural systems and their underlying dynamics. How are biodiverse hotspots maintained and how do we preserve them?”

Science mixed with culture

They also experienced the country ��. cross-section of three main cultural groups, Creole, Garifuna and Mayan.

Penkala took the course because of her interest in animal and ecosystem conservation, but she learned so much more.

“Dr. Bessert assured us that we would meet many different cultures in Belize and we sure did. It was amazing to see how their attitude, food and even architecture differed from ours. It was also very interesting to learn the local opinions on conservation and preserving wildlife,” Penkala said.

Student Evan Croft, front, and Professor Steve Nold stand in the shadows of a large kapok tree. / Photo by Sophia Derleth

“Traveling out of the country really helped me realize how grateful I should be for the things I have. Just as an example, Belizean farmers can sell 100 pounds of oranges to an American company for one Belizean dollar, equal to 50 cents in the U.S. I never would have known it was that bad unless I went down and talked to the locals. So, if anything else, I would say that Belize humbled me,” she said.

The learning that takes place beyond science is one of the goals of the course.

“You can’t go to Belize without immersing yourself in the human culture there,” said Bessert, who has led the course for 10 years. “Students are required to talk with people and get to know them and the customs.”

Evan Croft, of Stanley, who will graduate in May with his master ��., said he advanced his knowledge of science while achieving several life goals with the trip, and as a result added more. But what he’ll remember most is the people.

“We were just a group of students, and they cared for us and guided us like family they have known for years. We had a Garifuna drum circle come and perform for us. I had the opportunity to be taught a dance to one song and to play the driving bass line of another song during their performance,” Croft said.

“The first song that they sang and played for us was a tribute to their ancestors, and the lyrics roughly meant ‘we are here with our friends and family, we are happy and celebrating together, by the ocean.’ They were so quick to have us share in this important aspect of their culture, and the experiences like this made the entire trip worthwhile,” he said.

‘You see so many amazing things’

The Office of International Education coordinated the study abroad course and helped Bessert develop a COVID safety plan for the trip, including testing before leaving and prearranging for a testing service in Belize.

Except for 2021 because of COVID, the trip has been held every Winterm since 2012.

Fresh jaguar tracks were found near where the class was staying in Belize. / Photo by Rachel Younker

Students paid a special program fee that included tuition and fees and travel expenses. The course meets university requirements for global perspectives and natural sciences.

“You see so many amazing things you never see elsewhere,” Bessert said. “I design the course in a way where they have different ‘wow’ moments. It really gives them a great appreciation for the biodiversity that ��. there.”

For example, they used trail cameras and captured an unexpected image of a jaguar passing through.

Joining Bessert as a co-host this year was biology Professor Steve Nold, who is impressed with the country ��. ability to balance tourism while maintaining its diverse biodiversity.

“This course offered so much more than an academic treatment of the plants and animals in Belize. Students were introduced to many cultures and met extraordinary people. We learned kindness and humility from our hosts and tour guides. We overcame personal challenges and better understood how societal decisions can greatly impact environmental quality. In short, this was an unforgettable life experience,” Nold said.

Bessert first went to Belize nearly 30 years ago as an undergraduate and graduate student and has maintained connections with guides and others over the years.

“If I would have traveled to Belize with any old vacation company, there ��. no way I would have learned half the information I did with Dr. Bessert ��. friends,” Penkala said.

###

For Brianna O’Brien, it wasn’t just when class members hiked four miles up a mountain, guided by a naturalist, to breathtaking views of a double waterfall. Belize group

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Address the human impact on our world and seek ways to preserve threatened and endangered species, habitats, and ecosystems through research and reason.

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Hero Caption: Student Austin Crawford takes a break at Mayflower Bocawina National Park in Belize. / Photo by Evan Croft

Michael Bessert

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Degree: Ph.D. Biological Science

University: University of Nebraska

Degree: M.S. Biological Science

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Degree: B.A. Biology

University: Concordia University

Degree: B.S. Biology, Physical Education

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McNair Scholars Program provides first-generation students resources for greater opportunities

goersab — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 14:09:02 +0000

McNair Scholars Program provides first-generation students resources for greater opportunitiesgoersab November 2, 2021

Student, recent alum thankful for support; university to hold first-generation celebration Nov. 8.

Abbey Goers

It can be difficult for first-generation, limited income and underrepresented college students to reach their goals. Without family members’ experience or financial resources, the road to a degree and potentially a graduate degree can be unpredictable and rough.

University of Wisconsin-Stout ��. McNair Scholars Program provides students a support system, with dedicated advisers who equip students with the means to achieve their goals. McNair, a federal program, has helped change thousands of lives since its inception in 1989, including those of �� student Chueseng Lo and recent graduate Mai Lia Vang.

McNair has been offered at �� since 2009 and encourages all eligible students to apply. The program offers:

Undergraduate research opportunities
Faculty advisement and mentoring
Fee waivers for graduate school application fees
Free Graduate Records Examination preparation
Funds for conferences, graduate school visits and interviews

National First-Generation College Celebration Day is Monday, Nov. 8. �� . annual celebration, hosted by TRIO SSS, will be held that day, from 11:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. in the Memorial Student Center ballrooms.

The campus-wide event celebrates the successes of first-generation students, staff and faculty. Registration is required. Thirty-three percent of �� students identify as first-generation this academic year.

‘Keep going no matter what’

As a first-generation college student, Lo feels very accomplished. He’ll graduate from �� in human development and family studies, with an emphasis in school counseling, in the spring.

Chueseng Lo, McNair Scholar / ��

Friends introduced Lo to the HDFS program, and he learned he could branch off to a career in education or psychology. “The HDFS classes helped me with skills for the future,” he said. “I want to help people and be a student counselor.

“I think counseling is an important aspect to get kids through secondary education. Counselors can help kids with their problems and help them find resources to go to college.

“Once students know you can help them, they come to you a lot. You can build a relationship of support,” said Lo, who remembers visiting his high school counselor in Schofield once or twice a week.

Lo is applying to graduate programs, including �� . Master of Science in school counseling. His parents believe education is key. “They say to keep going no matter what,” he said. “I want to live up to those goals and further my education in grad school to be successful in life.”

McNair is helping Lo reach his goals. Coming from a limited income family, the program provides him with financial aid, including for rent so he can live on his own.

It ��. also helping Lo with scholarship applications and covers application fees for graduate school. His advisers aid him in applying to different school counseling programs, while he explores his range of interests in attending in-state or out-of-state schools.

Lo also enjoys the additional research projects into areas outside of his field. With the ability to choose a research topic in any area, Lo studied video games. Knowing how to conduct research prepares him for what it ��. like to be a graduate student, he said.

But what Lo likes best about being involved in McNair is the advisers. “I’m very glad I met them. The program wouldn’t be itself without them.

“If you’re a first-generation, limited income or underrepresented student looking to go further with your education – if you want to make a better life for yourself, this is the first step to help you get there,” Lo said. “McNair sets you up for success.”

Obtain greater opportunities

Vang was a very curious kid, always asking her older siblings and cousins to explain why the leaves change colors; why the sky is blue; or how a rainbow is made.

Mai Lia Vang / ��

“I’m so thankful that they also loved science and were able to quench and ignite my curiosity for the natural world. Science has answers to those tough questions,” Vang said.

Vang, of Eau Claire, is a former McNair Scholar. She graduated from �� in environmental science in fall 2018. She immediately went on to pursue her Professional Science Master ��. in conservation biology and graduated in fall 2020.

She is a research analyst at the university ��. Center for Limnological Research and Rehabilitation, which researches eutrophication issues in the region ��. waterways and aquatic ecosystems. Vang runs the lab operations and uses the knowledge she gained in her degrees every day.

But Vang began her college career in a different field. She started in graphic design because she didn’t think she was smart enough to pursue science. She enjoyed art, but she wasn’t passionate about it and dropped out after her third semester. She took time off of school to figure out what interested her most and what she really enjoyed.

“Nature checked both boxes,” she said. “I knew that I enjoyed science and nature enough to be willing to put in the hard work.”

Vang thinks that others who struggle with self-doubt should try their best to believe that they are better than they think. “Our inner dialogues are very influential, and we should be more mindful of the things we tell ourselves,” she said.

Her second time around, she started her degree in environmental science, with an emphasis in aquatic biology and a minor in geographic information systems.

As a first-generation, limited income and underrepresented student, no one in Vang ��. immediate family could help her navigate her college experience.

“The McNair program helped me tremendously,” Vang said. “It not only helped me navigate the process of applying to graduate school but helped financially by taking care of application and test fees.”

Vang was hesitant when she was first given the opportunity to join the program. She didn’t think she wanted to go to graduate school and wondered why she should join.

“My adviser told me – and this is the advice I give to everyone – ‘Give it a try. You can be in the program and not apply to graduate school. But if you change your mind and want to go to graduate school, then at least you’ll know how to,’” she said.

“The McNair program provided me an opportunity to obtain greater opportunities,” Vang added. “I know that I would not have pursued a graduate degree if I was not in the McNair program.”

Vang helps with the program when she can, serving on panels answering questions from students who are in the process of searching and applying for graduate school.

“I enjoy being a resource for others. I’ve been helped when I needed help and only hope to pass that on.”

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Student, recent alum thankful for support; university to hold first-generation celebration Nov. 8. chueseng_lo_mcnairscholar.jpg

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Science education expert to speak Feb. 26 on saving half the Earth to maintain biodiversity

powersp — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 19:09:48 +0000

Science education expert to speak Feb. 26 on saving half the Earth to maintain biodiversitypowersp February 19, 2020

Dennis Liu is vice president of education for E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation

The education vice president of an organization dedicated to fostering stewardship of the planet Earth through biodiversity research and educational programs will speak at University of Wisconsin-Stout on Wednesday, Feb. 26.

Dennis Liu, vice president of education, for the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation in Durham, N.C., will speak from 1:25 to 2:20 p.m. in room 210 of Applied Arts on “E.O. Wilson ��. Half-Earth Project, the Why and Where of How to Save Half the Planet for Nature.” His presentation is free and open to all. It is sponsored by the St. Croix River Association and the �� Natural Areas Club.

Liu will talk about the foundation ��. Half-Earth Project, formed around E.O. Wilson ��. call to save half of the planet for the millions of nonhuman species that enrich lives and who everyone depends on for survival. Half-Earth is a call to protect half the land and sea in order to manage sufficient habitat to safeguard the bulk of biodiversity.

To reach diverse populations of teachers and students, Liu initiated the Half-Earth Project Educator Ambassador Initiative, providing essential new tools and materials for understanding and then taking action to save the planet ��. precious biodiversity.

Amanda Little, �� biology professor and adviser of the �� Natural Areas Club, said she is excited to have Liu speak on campus and share on the Half-Earth Project. "In these days of bad news for the environment, the Half-Earth Project is taking hopeful, positive steps to protect biodiversity and stop species extinction,” Little said.

Prior to joining the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, Liu was a director of Howard Hughes Medical Institute and head of educational media, producing multimedia science curricula and programs. The suite of educational materials includes hands on exercises, digital tutorials, virtual labs, as well as short form and long form films. His work has received numerous awards and honors including Emmy nominations, The Pirelli Top Prize for the Diffusion of Scientific Culture and Thinking, recognition from Science Magazine, and several Aurora and Telly Awards.

Born in Chicago, Liu was a zoology major at the University of Wisconsin, then received his Ph.D. in biology from the University of Oregon doing research in the Neuroscience Institute. Following postdoctoral studies, he was faculty in the department of genetics at University of Washington and then worked at Microsoft and Videodiscovery developing multimedia science content. In addition to his passion for working with students and educators, he has a particular interest in the important role of museums and nature centers in engaging people with nature, science, and culture and has been an adviser on numerous exhibits and programs.

###

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Dennis Liu

The education vice president of an organization dedicated to fostering stewardship of the planet Earth through biodiversity research and educational programs wi dennisliu2.jpg

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Hero Caption: A �� student works in the campus garden.

Amanda Little

Teaching Interests: Ecology, plant taxonomy, wetland ecology, restoration ecology, non-majors biology

Research Interests: My research program currently focuses on the metacommunity dynamics of ephemeral ponds. Historically, my research agenda has been very broad and interdisciplinary, including research on invasive plant species, prairie restoration, geographic information systems (GIS) applications to natural resource problems, wetland vegetation dynamics, and the scholarship of teaching and learning.

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Center for Limnological Research and Rehabilitation works to clean up waters

powersp — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 16:53:57 +0000

Center for Limnological Research and Rehabilitation works to clean up waterspowersp November 5, 2018

CLRR projects in region strive to manage excess phosphorus and algae

Heidi Lieffort donned a pair of fishing waders and walked into Horse Creek in Star Prairie.

Using a syringe, the associate research specialist for University of Wisconsin-Stout ��. Center for Limnological Research and Rehabilitation sampled the creek ��. water to measure phosphorus and chlorophyll levels.

Lieffort and graduate student Conor Dougherty, who is working on his Professional Science Master ��. in conservation biology and works at the center, collect data to help determine the phosphorus sources in bodies of water to help manage cyanobacteria blooms, also known as blue-green algae.

Cyanobacteria take up phosphorus to form noxious blooms and can release toxins that pose human and animal health concern. “It ��. a vicious cycle,” Lieffort said.

The Center for Limnological Research and Rehabilitation, or CLRR, which is pronounced “clear” as in clear water, lakes and streams, started in 2012. Limnology is the study of freshwater ecosystems.

Bill James, who directs research at CLRR, worked for the Engineer Research and Development Center, the research arm of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Spring Valley, as a research aquatic biologist. He retired in 2011 after a 32-year career.

But he wasn’t ready to retire, so he talked with Randy Hulke, executive director of the Discovery Center, about establishing the limnological center. “I don’t think this could have been accomplished anywhere else in the UW System,” James said. “The Discovery Center provides an interface between education and industry and offers unique opportunities for community engagement and applied research.”

CLRR is an outreach or extension-like research center. “We are providing ecological research services on eutrophication problems and management solutions both regionally and nationally,” James said. “Our overall goal is to help the surrounding community to identify and manage phosphorus sources in order to reduce cyanobacteria blooms. Eutrophication problems are worsening. Lake impairment is serious and more widespread. That is why it is so important, especially with climate change, to address cyanobacterial issues. It ��. becoming a huge human health hazard.”

CLRR is self-funded, and students are paid for internships and work in the lab. Clients range from federal agencies such as the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, water conservation districts, lake districts and associations and private consulting firms, James said.

The center has a variety of field monitoring equipment for quantifying tributary flow and phosphorus loads in lakes; sampling equipment to monitor lake chemistry and biology; and coring capabilities to examine aquatic sediment.

Aquatic sediment is often an important source of phosphorus in lakes, and control of sediment phosphorus is essential in lake rehabilitation.

“We often answer the question, ‘Why do I have cyanobacteria?’” James said. “This is a big part of our research. Excess phosphorus input is usually the reason, and we quantify how much phosphorus is going into the lake from the watershed as well as phosphorus recycling from sediment that has deposited to the lake bottom.”

Recently at Cedar Lake in Star Prairie, Lieffort and Dougherty collected water samples and lake temperatures at various depths while out in a research boat. They also collected data on water clarity.

Using a pump, Lieffort took water samples every meter to the bottom of the lake, filling small plastic bottles with the samples. Dougherty used a long piece of plastic pipe to collect a larger water sample as well as a Secchi Disk, which looks like a round white-and-black board attached to a rope to measure water clarity to the eye.

The samples they collected were taken back to the CLRR lab in Jarvis Hall Science Wing for analysis of phosphorus and chlorophyll, a pigment extracted from algae used to quantify biomass.

Cedar Lake recently was treated with aluminum sulfate — alum — as a management tool to bind mobile phosphorus in lake sediment to remove it from further recycling in the waters.

Lieffort became interested in aquatic biology from living in the Colfax area and seeing green lakes. She is a �� environmental science alumna with an emphasis in aquatic biology. “I wanted to make a difference in my area for generations after me,” Lieffort said. “I also like to experience the field and lab research involved in lake eutrophication diagnosis and management.”

Lieffort believes there is hope to improve area lakes. However, it will require work. “A lake ecosystem can be compared to pushing a boulder off a cliff. It ��. easy to push it over the tipping point, but to throw that boulder back up onto the cliff is extremely difficult,” she said, noting it ��. easy to push a lake to its green eutrophic state but hard to return it to its pristine state.

“Usually that is where CLRR comes in, to try and put the boulder back on the cliff,” she said.

She jokes that friends say she is spending her days on lakes. That ��. true, but research is being done because the waters are impaired, she noted. “We don’t get asked to come because it ��. nice.”

Dougherty, of Hudson, who earned his undergraduate degree in environmental science from �� in May, said he enjoys working with CLRR. “I like being outside a lot and the variety of research,” he said. “No two days are the same. Even on a rough, windy day on a boat, it ��. hard to beat.”

Lake project in Eau Claire

One of the projects CLRR has worked on for many years is Half Moon Lake in Eau Claire. The lake has experienced excessive cyanobacteria and curly-leaf pondweed, an invasive rooted aquatic plant species, that used to cover the entire lake in the summer. It is difficult to control because it creates thousands of seed-like turions every year that settle to the bottom for next year ��. crop. It has been doing this for decades in Half Moon Lake.

“We’re working to try and control it,” James said. “Commercial applicators conduct early spring low dose herbicide treatments to break the cycle of turion production. This treatment selectively targets only curly-leaf pondweed, allowing native aquatic plants to re-establish in the lake. Curly-leaf pondweed is stubborn because there are many turions on the lake bottom. If we stop the herbicide treatment it rebounds. It will take years to control it. There is no Band-Aid fix.”

Mai Lia Vang, a graduate student working on her Professional Science Master ��. in conservation biology, works in CLRR as a lab technician and graduate researcher. As part of her thesis, she was working on a laboratory experiment to quantify sediment phosphorus recycling from sediment cores collected at Long Lake in Polk County.

Vang, of Eau Claire, graduated in May from �� in environmental science. She became interested in focusing on aquatic biology because of the number of lakes in the state and the problems with water clarity and phosphorus. “If you see a water quality issue with lakes, there could also be a management solution,” she said.

�� is Wisconsin ��. ��, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes.

###

Photos

Top: Conor Dougherty, at left, who works at CLRR, and Heidi Lieffort, associate research specialist with CLRR, prepare to load a research boat into Cedar Lake in Star Prairie.

Samples taken of Cedar Lake ��. water for CLRR.

Heidi Lieffort, associate research specialist with CLRR, takes samples of water from Horse Creek in Star Prairie to check phosphorus and chlorophyll levels. The creek flows into Cedar Lake.

Bottom: Heidi Lieffort, at right, associate research specialist with CLRR, hands water samples from Horse Creek to �� graduate student Conor Dougherty.

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Biology classes remove invasive species from city park

amdalla — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 21:26:41 +0000

Biology classes remove invasive species from city parkamdalla November 16, 2017

Invasive trees and plants in Menomonie ��. Lakeside Park have met their match: a band of intrepid University of Wisconsin-Stout students.

This fall, 144 students from multiple sections of three biology classes removed non-native species including buckthorn, prickly ash, honeysuckle, black locust and grapevine in the park on the west side of Lake Menomin.

Students cut down the undesirables and then spread a brush killer, provided by the city, on the stumps to keep them from resprouting.

The invasive vegetation truly was invasive — 11 dump truck loads were taken to a city burn pile.

Students also had to identify the native species growing in the park to separate the wanted from the unwanted.

The project will improve park and shoreline habitat and help the lake, said Keith Gilland, an assistant professor of biology.

“Invasive species out-compete or displace native species, resulting in decreased biodiversity. Research shows that more diverse communities provide more ecosystem services, such as carbon storage, stormwater filtering and nutrient uptake,” Gilland said.

“Restoring diverse, native communities around water bodies in the area could be an important component to restoring the health of our surface waters in the region,” he added.

The project also gives students a valuable service learning experience.

“Aside from the importance of eradicating invasive species, I think it ��. important that students spend time outdoors, maybe slightly outside of their normal comfort zone, and become familiar with the community they're spending an important part of their lives inhabiting. Menomonie has a lot to offer, and not leaving ��'s campus to explore would be a shame,” Gilland said.

Gilland coordinated the project with Assistant Professor Julie Beston; Chris Gaetzke, Dunn County conservation planner; and Dick Henning, city parks supervisor.

Gaetzke also is chair of the Lower Chippewa Invasive Partnership, of which Gilland is a member. “Keith's passion for invasive species control helps LCIP meet our goals to work on multiple sites and expand outreach/education about invasive species in our five-county jurisdiction,” Gaetzke said.

“Park users will now be able to view the lake in more places. The habitat has been greatly improved for birds, small mammals and turtles,” he added.

Gaetzke said the project was an outgrowth of a rain garden installed last year, also involving �� students, at the park.

The invasive species project involved students in Botany 242, made up of environmental science majors, and four sections of Biology 111, Science, the Environment and Sustainability, which includes students from a variety of majors.

One of the students was Ben Godleske, of Park Falls, majoring in environmental science. “Professor Gilland did a great job in helping us understand what the task was and how to approach it. Being a part of this project has taught me about the negative effects that invasive species have on their surroundings,” Godleske said.

“It ��. very valuable to apply the things we learn in the classroom to the outdoors. I have always been a hands-on learner, and this project was absolutely perfect for that,” he added.

Gilland says more students will return in the spring to kill trees and plants that the fall effort might have missed. He and Gaetzke hope to expand the project to adjacent Wolske Bay Park and to the lakeshore on the south end of the lake, along Crescent Street, next summer.

“I envision doing an invasive removal project like this each semester that I teach Biology 111, rotating around to different sites,” Gilland said.

Photos

Top: �� students in biology classes remove invasive species this fall in Menomonie ��. Lakeside Park.

Middle: Students Alyssa Tobias, left, a junior from Arlington Heights, Ill., and Jarrett Frosch, a sophomore from Sauk City, work in a biology lab at ��. The class, Science, the Environment and Sustainability, helped remove invasive species from Menomonie ��. Lakeside Park.

Bottom: Assistant Professor Keith Gilland, right, instructs Anna Cramer, a sophomore from Pine Island, Minn., in the Science, the Environment and Sustainability biology class that helped remove invasive species from Menomonie ��. Lakeside Park.

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Invasive trees and plants in Menomonie ��. Lakeside Park have met their match: a band of intrepid University of Wisconsin-Stout students. invasivespecies4_cs.jpg

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