Natural Resources and Environmental Science BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER WORDS OF WISDOM FROM NRES SENIORS DEFINING SUCCESS ON YOUR OWN TERMS GETTING INVOLVED: SPRING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
SPRING 2017
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 1
FROM THE CHAIR
CONTENTS:
A Letter from NRES Seniors 3 Alumni Highlight: Sandra Broadus 4 Alumni Highlight: Kevin Taylor 5 NRES In the Community: Volunteering 6 Faculty Highlight: Rob Paratley 8 Faculty Highlight: Chris Sass 9 Course Highlight: BIO 530 10 Course Highlight: NRE 201 11 The Balance Between School and Work 12 Research Highlight: Grace Coy 13 Getting to Know Your Student Orgs 14 Steering Committee Update & Links 16
Cover: Kseniya Verenich, NRES student, at Wicklow Mountains National Park in Ireland, Photo by Sarah Buckalew Above: Greta oto, glasswing butterfly in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve of Costa RIca, Photo by Hannah Moore
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR Welcome to the Spring 2017 NRES newsletter, which is researched, written, and designed by students. As always, the newsletter articles are meant to connect our readers to multiple facets of our program, and perhaps more importantly, our rapidly expanding NRES community of current students, alumni, and other stakeholders. As we reach out to alumni near and far, we find that each of them has found their own idiosyncratic pathway in life, often clearly borne of the nascent interests and goals they had as undergraduates. Yet, there is also often a sense that the directions they expected their careers and lives to take didn’t necessarily follow a pre-determined script. An underlying theme of this issue of the newsletter is one of “redefining success.” It can be challenging, regardless of your stage in life, to maintain perspective regarding one’s professional “success.” What are the values that you hold most close and how do your choices, such as which courses to take, whether to study abroad, and which extracurricular activities to be involved in, reflect those values? While it is nearly impossible to know how things will unfold, as alumni Sandra Broadus and Kevin Taylor suggest, it is important to stay open, pursue your passions, and remain engaged in the issues that are close to your heart.
Dr. Mary Arthur 2 NRES Newsletter
WORDS OF WISDOM
A LETTER FROM NRES SENIORS BY GRACE COY “All I can do is to urge you to regard friendship as the greatest thing in the world; for there is nothing which so fits in with our nature, or is so exactly what we want in prosperity or adversity.” -Marcus Tullius Cicero, 44 BCE. Dear Readers, With the passing of each semester, a different set of students graduate from the Natural Resources and Environmental Science program, each branching off in the direction of their next adventure. Some students set their sights on graduate programs, while others jump into career-building positions all across the globe. Many students fall somewhere in between, taking the time to figure out their niche in the ever-changing social and political climate. When asked about the highlights of our experiences in NRES, we, soon-to-be graduates of the program, recounted a range of narratives regarding research projects, internships, studying abroad, and class field trips. Despite the variation in our individual anecdotes, a common unifying theme of “friendship” emerged in many of our responses. It is truly remarkable to think that something as seemingly simple and
innate as friendship can have such a profound impact on not only students, but humanity as a whole. When speaking about overcoming the challenges of difficult coursework, demanding jobs, and personal obstacles, many of our achievements were attributed to a dedicated support group of fellow students, faculty, and staff. This conveys a powerful message, for it symbolizes the resounding importance of how an established foundation of people committed to the success and well-being of one another can create a powerful unit capable of creating change, whether for a single individual or for an entire community. The future of the environmental movement rests on our ability to connect with one another, both inside and outside of our common social circles. Many of us have a shared reverence for nature from which we have shaped our core values. When facing the significant challenges at hand, it is easy to feel that these values have been isolated and defeated.
This is not the case, as our connections with others have the power to promote resurgence from the deepest points of despair. This notion emphasizes the importance of communication, not just as a soft skill for our careers, but as a means of seeking out and recognizing the humanity in a diverse collection of people. Going forward, we will be drivers of change. Forging bonds of friendship through collaboration and effective citizenship, we will work to infuse humanity into the fabric of our efforts, thus creating the potential for a network of people who are united under common values. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the NRES program have already demonstrated the ways in which this unity can empower us to find unique pathways towards personal, career, and community success. We use this as a springboard for our goals, propelling us closer to the peaks of our achievement, whether on local or global scales. No matter what challenges come our way, we will always have this support to fall back on. In the stories we tell looking back on our time here, it will be the connections we made with others that color our memories. For that we express genuine gratitude. We hope to continue to add value to the NRES program as we move forward, and, perhaps, in the future, share our stories of success with you on these pages. Best Regards, NRES Class of 2017
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ALUMNI HIGHLIGHT
SANDRA BROADUS: MOVING FORWARD BY HANNAH MOORE Sandra Broadus (NRES, ’12) focused on Wildlife and Conservation Biology, but her real interests within the program were much broader. “I was interested in everything as an NRES student; I wanted to be able to make an impact.” Since graduating, she has succeeded in doing that in a variety of positions, leading her halfway across the country and eventually back home to Kentucky. In 2014, after working as a Biological Science Technician for Rhithron Associates, LLC, Sandra was offered a seasonal position as a Bicycling Ambassador for the city of Missoula, Montana. She helped plan bicyclerelated activities and events, organized camps for kids, educated the public on following the rules of the road, and advocated for bike safety. Her work as a Bicycling Ambassador was recognized by the University of Montana’s Director of Transportation, and she was offered a full-time position at the University, where she became their first Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs Coordinator. After a year of promoting sustainability through alternative transportation at the University of Montana, Sandra made the decision to return to Kentucky in hopes that she could continue this work. She contacted the University of Kentucky’s Sustainability Coordinator, Shane Tedder, and found that the creation of a similar position was being considered within the UK Parking and Transportation Services to accommodate UK’s growing bicycle programs. Sandra was interviewed the day after arriving back in Kentucky, and became UK’s first Alternative Transportation Coordinator. Sandra describes the main goal of her job as Alternative Transportation Coordinator as one of encouraging students and employees to think about sustainable ways to get to and around campus. The University of Kentucky is unable to accommodate all students and
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Above: Sandra Broadus at Logan Pass in Glacier National Park, Montana faculty with on-campus parking With a growing student body, the problem will only get worse. Cutting down on the number of cars travelling to and from campus each day could also dramatically reduce carbon emissions and other environmentally harmful effects caused by heavy vehicular traffic. To address these issues, numerous incentive programs have been created, including Kentucky Wildcab and the Bike Voucher Program. Many students have likely heard of Kentucky Wildcab, a popular (free) late night on-demand ride service that encourages students to make safe transportation decisions. The bike vouchers encourage students and employees who have parking permits to turn them in and sign a contract saying they won’t purchase another permit during the next two years. In return, they receive $400 to spend at local bike shops. With one hundred vouchers distributed per year, the bike vouchers have been quite successful so far, though the program is still new. Sandra hopes to expand the program in the future. Another program is Big Blue Cycles, which provides free rental bikes for the
full school year to students who live in campus housing and sign a commitment not to have a car on campus. Sandra is also involved with Wildcat Wheels, a resource that recycles abandoned bikes from campus into a fleet of free rental bikes, offering free maintenance and repair assistance to students and faculty as well. On top of managing and advancing incentive programs for alternative transportation, she is also a member of the Transportation Sustainability Strategic Team, working toward UK’s recent pledge to reduce carbon emissions on campus by 25% by 2025. The team will be identifying and implementing strategies to reduce transportation emissions to help meet UK’s overall carbon neutrality goals. During her continued career as UK’s Alternative Transportation Coordinator, Sandra hopes to increase the capacity of the programs offered and make UK a more bikeable and walkable place. Her best advice for current and future NRES students is perseverance: “You might meet a lot of rejection; you just have to keep your head up and know you’re going to find a job for you.”
ALUMNI HIGHLIGHT
CREATING A NETWORK FOR CHANGE BY GRACE COY For Kevin Taylor (NRCM ’04), the word “change” carries dual meanings. In one context, it refers to the fluctuations of our planet’s social, political, and physical climate. In another, it takes on a much deeper, revolutionary meaning. Both interpretations of the word bear great significance to Kevin’s role as the Senior Specialist for Cities and Climate at World Wildlife Fund (WWF), as the objectives of his work involve active engagement with city and local governments to further agendas on climate change. This type of advocacy requires a remarkable level of perseverance and commitment that has required Kevin to form empowering relationships. In the process, he has helped to fuel a global movement directed toward growing the leadership and ambitions of leaders in cities to tackle the climate crisis. Since graduating from UK, Kevin has gained experience in various aspects of the environmental field. Led by curiosity and an open mind, Kevin pursued a diverse course load during his graduate program, earning Master’s degrees in both City and Regional Planning and Environmental Management from UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University. Additionally, Kevin obtained certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). While working as a planning consultant, Kevin’s interests began evolving. “I found that I wasn’t extremely engaged as an entry level consultant working on whatever work the company chose,” he said, “I wanted to focus on climate change as I came to it as the defining environmental challenge of our time.” In 2011, this desire led to his career at WWF, where climate is one of six focal areas of the organization’s global conservation mission. Kevin has found his niche working on this issue, particularly focusing in urban environments, where he sees significant potential for meaningful collaboration around climate action. “Our cities need to be a strong voice on these issues,” he explained. The importance of this voice
has been evident in the projects that Kevin has helped plan and execute at WWF. One of his most significant achievements is the development of the WWF’s City Challenge, a program to support cities across more than 20 countries, including the US, to increase their ambition and action on climate change. “The first couple of years at WWF, learning the advocacy, NGO world, were a unique learning curve,” Kevin recalled, “I was on a small team and wore lots of different hats.” It was in the development of this project that Kevin focused his skills on knowledge building, cultivating networks and building relationships, and becoming comfortable with learning on the fly. Above: Kevin Taylor, Senior Specialist for Cities & Climate Many of that learning was brought to bear when Kevin worked with a team to take meant we need to redouble our efforts. a group of 11 US mayors to the 2015 UN We have won some really important Climate Change Conference in Paris. conservation battles over the years, but Experienced as the “highlight of his we are still losing the war. We need to career” thus far, this was a milestone that turn the tide, and we still can, especially has served as significant inspiration in his with great people like all of you coming development of frameworks for climate out of college now. Thank you all for choosing [natural resources] as a course action in cities. of study and eventually a career.” Seen from the vantage point of more than a decade since graduating, Kevin had advice, but also some gratitude. “Learning to be a good communicator who has a curiosity for learning from new perspectives will always be a fundamental skill,” he advised, “But we all have our weaknesses. I think being passionate for our work and determination can make up for a lot. It’s been a rough few months here at the end of 2016 into 2017, and it’s
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is one of the world’s most outstanding conservation organizations. WWF aims to address conservation concerns on all fronts. They achieve this through six key goal areas: forests, oceans, fresh water, wildlife, food, and climate. The organization hosts a global network of supporters, all working in creative ways to protect, strengthen, and restore valuable habitats and natural resources.
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IN THE COMMUNITY
LET THE GREENFORCE BE WITH YOU BY GRACE COY
Above: GreenForce volunteers working with kids at Greenfest. Photo by Ashley Cheney Bluegrass Greensource (BGGS) is a local non-profit that provides education and resources regarding human impact on the environment. GreenForce is the volunteer arm of Bluegrass Greensource which draws volunteers to opportunities that combine environmental education
with leadership training. “It is a great way to help people cultivate both skills and appreciation for doing community work,” says Ashley Bryant Cheney, the Volunteer Coordinator for GreenForce. Witnessing the joy that people experience from volunteering motivated Ashley to become an expert in community service, education, and program coordination. Ashley’s goal in incorporating an education component in GreenForce volunteer events is to give participants the ability and confidence to become more active leaders in sustainability programs in the community. “We aim to equip volunteers with the general knowledge that will help them carry this forward into their lives,” noted Ashley. As a result, the end product of each event is a group of environmentallyconscious leaders in the community who have the skills and motivation to organize projects based on the things they value.
Most volunteer opportunities with GreenForce are accessible on Volunteer Match (http://www.volunteermatch. org/). Positions that require some experience are posted exclusively in the Bluegrass Greensource Newsletter, which you can sign-up for by emailing Ashley Cheney at ashley@bggreensource. org. Bluegrass Greensource also offers student internships on a rolling basis. These internships can be tailored to the student’s interest. Inquiries can be directed to Ashley at the email listed above. Upcoming events: April 5th: Volunteer work-day that will involve tasks to help BGGS prepare for their Earth Day event! April 22nd: Main Street Clean-Sweep is a volunteer-led, community-based litter clean up that takes place in counties across the region.
CAMPUS ALLIANCE: COMBINING EFFORTS WITH BCTC BY GRACE COY
Above: Nachie Braga & Representative Kelly Flood at BCTC’s Newtown campus. Photo provided by Nachie Braga In recent years, the enhancement of greenspace has become a priority for many students. Like many students in the NRES program, Leandro “Nachie” Braga, a student enrolled in the BCTC/ NRES combination program, is a devoted contributor to these efforts. Under
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the guidance of Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) faculty member Dr. Rebecca Glasscock, Nachie has played a role in leading several projects at BCTC. His motivation comes from his passion for permaculture design and ecosystem management. “I am trying to create things here that will withstand the test of time,” he says. Being a student at both UK and BCTC, Nachie seeks opportunities to contribute to both areas. NRES students who are interested in expanding efforts beyond UK’s campus are encouraged to do the same, as combining efforts would create positive results on a larger, community level. This spring, much of the volunteer work will be focused on the BCTC Newtown Campus. “We have lost a lot of greenspace,” Nachie remarked, when talking about recent landscape changes on the Newtown Campus. Students and staff have responded by initiating projects that aim to strengthen the ecological integrity of the site. This often
involves speaking with site managers regarding the potential installation of bioswales and butterfly gardens. One project, the Newtown Pleasure Trail, is currently underway after receiving funds from LFUCG. With the help of volunteers, students and staff are putting in a small trail loop that will incorporate a diversity of native and ecologically beneficial plant species to showcase the beauty of the urban ecosystem. The next large community event will be on Kentucky Arbor Day, April 7th from 4p-7p at the Newtown Pleasure Trail. Activities will include planting along the trail, a community picnic, and a tree seedling giveaway. Students from both UK and BCTC are encouraged to attend. For more information on volunteering and upcoming events, contact Nachie, leandro.braga@uky.edu, or Dr. Glasscock, Rebecca.glasscock@kctcs.edu.
IN THE COMMUNITY
FRESH FOOD, FROM FARM TO NEIGHBORHOOD BY HANNAH MOORE
Above: Drew Shackleford and Jeremy Porter, Director of TNFC. In the NRES program, students learn to define sustainability based not only on ecological integrity, but on social and economic equity as well. These three pillars are represented strongly in work related to sustainable food production, which has grown in the Lexington community in recent years.
Drew Shackleford, a strong advocate for improving Lexington’s food systems, is seeking to address a growing need for community work in this field. Drew is involved in the Tweens Nutrition and Fitness Coalition (TNFC) and Fresh Stop. These local organizations work to coordinate programs that promote access to fresh foods and establish sustainable food systems within urban communities.
has helped the community coalition in its mission towards positively affecting the health and lifestyles of Lexington tweens (ages 8 to 14) through the promotion of healthy diets and exercise. Working in “fresh food insecure” areas, the TNFC and Fresh Stop collaborate on several programs, including Fresh Stop Markets, which are bi-weekly fresh food markets, and Good Neighbor Stores that provide free produce to residents.
Fresh Stop is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, for which Drew serves as the Community Coordinator. Fresh Stop’s main goal is to help create sustainable food systems in USDA-defined food deserts, or as Drew calls them, “food swamps.” These are areas that lack access to nutrient-rich foods and are inundated with processed and often nutrient-poor foods. As the 2016 Americorps Vista for TNFC, Drew
With the growing needs of the Lexington community, Drew says there are numerous opportunities within these organizations for volunteers. NRES students interested in sustainable food systems would add value to these efforts, given their devotion to elevating the quality and sustainabilty of our communities. Students wishing to volunteer are encouraged to reach out to Drew at drewshackleford@me.com.
FINDING SANCTUARY AT FLORACLIFF BY HANNAH MOORE nature preserve that encompasses the steep slopes of the Kentucky River palisades, with an impressive history as an area protected from development and natural resource extraction.
Above: Floracliff’s Preserve Director Beverly James pointing out a monkey slug caterpillar. Beverly James graduated from the NRCM program in 2004 with an emphasis on conservation biology, and is now working to manage invasive species, protect and restore biodiversity, and educate others about ecological relationships and management practices as the Director of Floracliff Nature Sanctuary here in Fayette County. Floracliff is a 287-acre
Floracliff offers guided tours, field studies workshops, and research opportunities. The workshops are an excellent opportunity for students to hone their skills or learn new ones. For any students who are interested in attending a workshop but are unable to afford the fee, one scholarship per workshop is offered on a first-come first-served basis. For more information about field studies workshops, volunteer days, or other events, students are encouraged to visit Floracliff’s website: floracliff.org/events. html or contact Beverly James: bjames@ floracliff.org. Floracliff has plenty of opportunities for students this upcoming spring! A few of these are listed as follows:
Macroinvertebrates and Fishes of Kentucky, instructed by Dr. Amy Braccia and Michael Compton. “Students will spend time in-stream and in the laboratory, collecting, identifying, and discussing the ecology, behavior, habitats, and conservation of aquatic organisms.” June 9-10, 2017 $60 Amphibians and Reptiles of Kentucky, instructed by Dr. Stephen Richter, Dr. Steven Price, and Andrea Drayer “Students will be introduced to field sampling techniques, identification, and proper handling of herptiles.” September 16-17, 2017 $60 Woody Plants of Kentucky, instructed by Dr. Ronald L. Jones “Participants will learn woody plant terminology and how to key out species using a field guide.” October 20-21, 2017 $65
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FACULTY HIGHLIGHT
PLANTS AND PEOPLE WITH ROB PARATLEY BY GRACE COY
If anything is impossible, it is for an NRES student to go through their undergraduate career without meeting Rob Paratley. Whether through Economic Botany, Taxonomy, Dendrology, or leading camp in Costa Rica, Rob has become a trademark of many students’ educational experience. For over 20 years, Rob has served as Curator of the University of Kentucky’s Herbarium, in addition to teaching multiple courses and seminars. His love for plants, ecology, and culture make his courses a truly unique experience, as students learn the importance of how incorporating a broad perspective into their work can strengthen their abilities to process information, think analytically, and design creative solutions to environmental questions. Due to his extensive knowledge and passion for the subject, many would assume that Rob has been teaching botanical topics since he could talk. On the contrary, Rob found his calling later in life, after working for a few years as a financial manager at Cornell University where he got his Master’s in Plant Ecology in 1986. In 1995, while spending some time spot-teaching at UK, the Chair of the Department of Forestry offered Rob the position of Herbarium Curator. “I jumped on the job!” he beamed, “It was a learning experience, particularly the systematics, as most of my training was in ecology.”He now believes that his ecological background has given him a great advantage in the classroom: “For me, it’s all about helping
students understand the natural world. It’s much more than just remembering facts; it’s about helping students gain the skills to understand processes, change, and impact.” When explaining his current courses, Rob separates them into two categories: technical and “big picture.” The former category includes the Plant Taxonomy, Dendrology, and Winter Dendrology courses. Rob describes these as being specific and challenging, helping students gain skills in plant identification, Above: Rob Paratley teaching students in Costa Rica. classification, and Photo by Hannah Moore knowledge of the flora while also helping them to understand the ecology and “big picture” courses, such as Economic evolutionary processes that occur. Botany and Field Studies in Costa Rica, Throughout the semester, Rob uses and his cultural-themed seminars, focus time in the field with students in these on synthesizing these natural science courses to show them the utility of what concepts with an understanding of the he calls “old-fashioned” research. “A social science. By having a well-rounded lot of research-heavy institutions have perspective, Rob believes he is giving eliminated field studies in favor of more students tools to not only understand intensive lab work,” he stated, “I look at science, but to be able to defend it my calling as a way to fill in that gap for as well. Rob has found success in the students and get them in the field.” Rob’s relationships he has cultivated with his students. “My students have had an impact on me. They have a lot of wisdom, in their own way.” This illuminates the insights and inspiration to be gained from engaging with instructors, as this two-way relationship can have a profound effect for both the student and the teacher.
Left: On a boat tour with students in Costa Rica. Photo by Hannah Moore.
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FACULTY HIGHLIGHT
DESIGNING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: DR. CHRIS SASS, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE BY HANNAH MOORE Dr. Chris Sass is one of the newest additions to the Natural Resources and Environmental Science (NRES) Steering Committee, the team of faculty from different departments within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment who collaborate to guide all aspects of the NRES program. Dr. Sass has been an Assistant Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture since 2013. His academic career began with a B.S. in Biology from Missouri Western State University. His interests in restorative ecology and sustainable land use led him to study landscape architecture at Kansas State University, where he received his MLA in 2007 and a PhD in Environmental Design in 2011. With his breadth of knowledge and experience in areas ranging from sustainable landscape design to fluvial geomorphology, Dr. Sass provides students with an ecological approach to landscape architecture.
Below: Dr. Sass scaling a bank. Photo provided by Chris Sass.
In 2015 Dr. Sass was one of six landscape architecture faculty members in the United States to be selected as a Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) research fellow to lead case study investigations. He and a team studied three sustainable projects done by landscape architects over a six-month period to assess each individual project’s successes and identify aspects that may need improvement. The three projects he studied were Northern Kentucky University’s Loch Norse Commons, the Agriculture Alumni Plaza on UK’s campus, and the Lower Howard’s Creek State Nature and Heritage Preserve (the management plan for which was written and implemented by Ned Crankshaw, Professor and Chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture). The teams evaluated the benefits over time as well as other less-studied facets of the projects, such as social and maintenance issues.
Above: Chris Sass working in the field. Photo provided by Chris Sass.
In addition to his holistic perspective on landscape architecture, Dr. Sass also provides students with a unique handson community oriented opportunity. As part of his Design with Plants course, his students work with TreesLouisville, a non-profit organization dedicated to maintaining and increasing canopy cover in Louisville. Through a partnership with Jefferson County Public Schools, TreesLouisville targets elementary school campuses in areas defined by the 2015 Urban Tree Canopy Assessment as being canopy deficient. Students in Dr. Sass’s Design with Plants class then develop landscape designs that are implemented on a particular campus. Not only do
students get the rare opportunity of seeing their designs realized at such an early stage in their careers, they are also shown the many benefits of urban canopy cover and the social issues that may be associated with canopy-deficient regions of an urban landscape. With his experience, knowledge, and passion for ecological sustainability, Dr. Sass has greatly contributed to the educational diversity of the Department of Landscape Architecture and will undoubtedly be an invaluable asset to the NRES Steering Committee and the future of the NRES program. We look forward to his involvement.
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COURSE HIGHLIGHT
CONCEPTUALIZING THE ENVIRONMENT: BIOGEOGRAPHY AND CONSERVATION BY HANNAH MOORE
Although the paths of students in Geology, Biology, NRES, Landscape Architecture, and Forestry may not frequently cross, there is quite a bit of common ground among their fields of study. At the core of this is a shared commitment to management and conservation, or at the very least a deep respect for the natural world we inhabit and the way it works. Students often become somewhat confined to taking courses offered within their major, but it’s important to remember that branching out is essential to our overall understanding of our environment. This type of holistic approach is exactly what students are encouraged to embrace and explore in Biogeography and Conservation (GEO/BIO 530). Dr. Daehyun Kim and Dr. Tony Stallins, both faculty in the Department of Geography, have taught the course in Below: Dr. Daehyun Kim, Department of Geology
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alternating years. As a relatively small class (typically between 15 and 30 students) of undergraduate and graduate students, all are highly encouraged to engage in group discussions. The course is divided into ten broad topics, covering concepts like climate change and ecological disturbance. For each topic, lectures are supplemented with relevant journal articles. Students respond by writing a brief summary of the readings and formulating in-depth questions to discuss in class. Dr. Kim describes the main goal of the course as being to provide students with basic concepts and theories of biogeography. Though students in the NRES program are accustomed to classes that focus on applied management, he emphasizes that Biogeography and Conservation is designed to build a foundation of the underpinning
theoretical and conceptual knowledge necessary for effective and successful practical application. Both instructors expressed much appreciation for the participation and contribution of the many NRES students who have taken the class thus far. He has enjoyed witnessing the diversity in the academic backgrounds of students who have enrolled in BIO 530, as it promotes a variety of perspectives that contribute to enhancing the course material. The course is next offered in Fall of 2017, and will be taught by Dr. Tony Stallins. Any students who have an interest in enrolling in BIO 530 in the fall or questions related to the course material are encouraged to contact Dr. Stallins at ja.stallins@uky.edu. Below: Dr. Tony Stallins, Department of Geology
COURSE HIGHLIGHT
HAVE YOU TAKEN NRE 201? BY GRACE COY
Introduction to Natural Resources and Environmental Science, NRE 201, is designed to engage NRES sophomores (and early transfer students) in an understanding of the contemporary issues in this field, worldwide and in Kentucky. Using the 2014 book, Adventures in the Anthropocene, by Gaia Vince, the course will use readings, lectures, and student presentations to develop a broad understanding of the scientific principles and human dimensions underlying natural resource issues. The course text is an engaging read that will mentally transport students around the world as the author makes connections between resource extraction, human health and ability to make a viable living, and our own pursuits and desires. For the first time, this 3-credit course will be taught as a 2-credit lecture with Dr. Mary Arthur as the instructor, and a 1-credit discussion section with Ms. Geri Philpott instructing.
Eco-Tech Consultants, Toyota, Lexmark, and Windy Corner Market.
Above: Dr. Mary Arthur. Photo by Jill Baron.
Dr. Arthur is excited to teach the lecture portion of this course for the first time. As the Chair of the NRES Steering Committee and the instructor of Forest Ecology (a junior-level science course required of all NRES and Forestry students), and until recently, the Senior Capstone course, she’s looking forward to meeting NRES students earlier in their UK careers. As one of the first NRES courses students take, NRE 201 provides students with an early opportunity to develop professional relationships with faculty and staff, who appreciate students with the courage and ambition to fully engage them on topics that range from course content to advice about internships or future career pathways.
NRES students, to be successful, need to develop a broad sense of the social Above: Geri Philpott in South Dakota The 1- credit portion of the course will and natural sciences necessary for concentrate on environmental career as they go on an informative hike led understanding natural resource use, development, incorporating resume by a park biologist and participate in a conservation, and management, while writing skills, job search tools, and service-learning project. The last portion focusing on a particular pathway. For insight from guest speakers.This portion of the trip exposes students to the field example, a student who aspires to be includes a 2-day field trip, which is a of cave research, which is conducted an environmental attorney will be well noted highlight of the course. For the by speleologists in a cave owned by served by combining an understanding While of the science underpinning water past ten years, the NRE 201 class has Western Kentucky University. not necessarily on the printed itinerary, traveled to Mammoth Cave National quality issues with a future law degree. Park. During the overnight two-day trip, students return from the trip with a By exposing students near the beginning students engage in field work with KY better connection to Kentucky and each of their NRES program to a breadth of Fish and Wildlife biologists conducting other. Depending on enrollment, we issues and perspectives, NRE 201 will set mussel sampling in the Green River. may offer a second 2-day field trip that is the stage for students to refine their focal Students also do some spelunking in more local. In 2016 the second field trip interests pertaining to natural resources the Mammoth Cave National Park cave, included visits to Salato Wildlife Center, and environmental science. Left: NRE 201 students on a field trip with Eco-Tech Consultants. Right: NRE 201 students at Mammoth Cave National Park.
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NRES STUDENT JOBS
FOLLOW THE LEADER: JOE BRENZEL TAKES ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
the challenges that often arise when
BY GRACE COY
When NRES senior Joe Brenzel is not in class, there is a good chance that he is out in the community creating learning opportunities for the public. Led by a passion for environmental education, Joe is dedicated to obtaining experiences that contribute to his ability to engage the public in environmental topics. Through his job with the LFUCG Department of Environmental Services, Joe has become the friendly face of the Department at tabling events, public speaking engagements, and outdoor projects. Since March 2016, Joe has helped lead outreach events such as Reforest the Bluegrass, Arbor Day, and Greenfest, where he has shared the message of environmental stewardship for the city of Lexington.
Joe’s position began as an internship, but it has developed into a part-time position as an Environmental Outreach Leader. Last fall, he helped develop Lexington’s first Recycle Challenge, which is an incentive program that encourages public elementary school students to increase recycling participation in their schools. Using this event as the catalyst, Joe is hoping to organize tours for students at Lexington’s Recycling Center, where they can learn the process of material separation within the framework of sustainable practices. Joe has found this position to be extremely rewarding, and points particularly to the positive responses from the community. This feedback has given Joe the drive to overcome
Above: Joe Brenzel at LFUCG tabling event balancing school and work. “Sometimes it didn’t work,” he says, “but I was motivated to keep gaining experience. It is so important to become familiar with the real world.” From his involvement, Joe also highlights the importance of engaging the public: “Changing hearts and minds can’t be done ‘at the table’, so you have to keep going and encouraging them to be a part of our efforts.”
WILD THING, YOU MAKE MY HEART SING BY GRACE COY
Above: Hunter Dyke interacting with wildlife in Costa Rica. Photo by Dr. Steven Price. Working with animals requires knowledge, skills, and dedication, all of which contribute to building a connection with nature and wildlife. NRES senior Hunter Dykes uses each of these elements in her position as
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Shift Leader at the Kentucky Wildlife Center (KWC). Before her job at KWC, Hunter’s devotion to animals inspired her to pursue multiple wildlife-related positions, from work in veterinary clinics to field research on bats at Mammoth Cave National Park with Dr. Lacki. It was these past experiences that led a fellow NRES student and KWC staff member to encourage Hunter to get involved at KWC, first as a volunteer and eventually as an intern. Hunter conducted her paid NRES internship (NRE 399) at KWC, and shortly thereafter was offered Shift Leader position. “My responsibilities at the wildlife center are split between medical care and other general husbandry,” Hunter explained. She also assists Karen Bailey, the owner and founder of KWC, with data collection, overseeing interns, and coordinating volunteers. One of the biggest obstacles for Hunter as a working, full-time student is time management, a challenge she
overcomes by viewing her job as a pathway to her future career goals. Hunter’s commitment to her work has redefined her definition of success. “I no longer set my academic goals based on maximizing income,” she states, “I go to school and work because I am passionate about what I do and intend to make a difference in whatever field I pursue.” Her focus on wildlife biology has revealed to her a multitude of academic and career opportunities, many of which she credits to the interdisciplinary structure of the NRES program.
The Kentucky Wildlife Center, Inc., is a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescue and rehabilitation of native species in the region. Students who are interested in volunteering with the Kentucky Wildlife Center can find the application and requirements online at kywildlife.org, or by contacting KWC at info@kywildlife.org.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT
GROWING STRONGER COMMUNITIES: URBAN TREE CARE WITH GRACE COY BY HANNAH MOORE
Grace Coy is an NRES senior with a focus in Human Dimensions. She is interested in human-environmental relationships, especially the behavioral economics of how people value green space. In addition to her coursework, Grace is one of two NRES program Student Assistants, the Director of Programming for the Lexington Environmental Youth Outreach (LEYO) club, and a Research Assistant for the Urban Forest Initiative (UFI). In spring 2016 Grace was awarded a Summer Sustainability Fellowship Grant for undergraduate research which provided her with an award of $2000 to use toward an urban and community forestry outreach project that she developed. Working with UFI faculty and staff, Grace created a project that entailed developing and delivering tree health and care workshops to interested residents in Lexington. The primary goal of the workshops was to educate and engage participants about urban tree benefits and indicators of tree health, and to encourage them to apply that knowledge to tree management within their own communities. Grace was responsible for organizing and developing the content of the workshops, and carried out the workshops with the help of Dr. Ellen Crocker (Post-doctoral Scholar with the
UK Forest Health Research and Education Center) and Nic Williamson (NRES ‘13 and UFI Coordinator). Throughout the experience, Grace’s perspective on the importance of communication and the ways in which issues are effectively translated to the public changed dramatically. Being able to present information to people of different ages and backgrounds in a meaningful and accessible manner is imperative to conveying your message and requires different methods with different groups. Through this experience she gained confidence in her public speaking skills, and has learned the importance Above: Grace Coy leading a group tree assessment of being able to direct with the Meadowthorpe Neighborhood Association people to the right resources and tools when she doesn’t Sustainability Challenge Grant awarded have the answer to a question. For those to UFI for 2017. She hopes to extend interested in creating their own funded UFI’s reach deeper into the community summer research experience, Grace and provide workshops that focus on highly recommends that they apply for topics outside of tree health. a Summer Research Grant or Summer Sustainability Grant, both This spring, Grace is organizing a 20of which have deadlines hour workshop for undergraduates to in late February for the develop their urban and community following summer. Funding forestry knowledge and skills and through these opportunities provide them with the tools to become offers the liberty to study tree health ambassadors who will be something you really enjoy able to educate others independently. and fosters your ability to The workshop will be delivered in five 4-hour sessions, and participants who work independently. complete all 5 sessions will receive Moving forward, Grace $200. The workshop will involve handswill continue with a similar on experience and team activities, project as a full-time staff and two participants will be selected member with funding from a to become paid interns. For more information, contact Grace Coy at Left: Conducting a grace.coy@uky.edu or Nic Williamson workshop at at nwilliamson@uky.edu. KY Native Cafe
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STUDENT STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES OPPORTUNITIES
GETTING TO KNOW Y UK GREENTHUMB ECOLOGY “Greenthumb is a student-led CLUB organization that seeks to encourage positive and productive environmental activism, to actively sponsor and attend activities that educate students, faculty, and staff about both regional and international environmental concerns and potential solutions to remain a student-run organization while collaborating with other campus and community organizations.” - Ryan Lark, Greenthumb Coordinator
“The Ecology Club is an organization that seeks to encourage students to get involved in the science of ecology at any level, from a hobbiest who puts up animal feeders and enjoys the outdoors to a professional who researches the wonders of wildlife. Our goal is to create a community where everyone enjoys, appreciates, and protects the natural world.” - Olivia Utley, President
UPCOMING EVENTS:
UPCOMING EVENTS:
There will be numerous leadership positions opening for next fall within the organization. Greenthumb will be looking to fill the following positions: Secretary, Co-coordinators, Recruitment team members, Media Manager, Treasurer, Campaign Manager, KSEC delegate, SSC delegate, Event coordinator
This spring, the club is planning a hiking trip for late March or early April., where students will engage with professors about the ecology of the Red River Gorge. They also have plans to visit the Kentucky Wildlife Center, for whom they are conducting a supply drive in late March. Elections for President, VP, and Secretary for the upcoming semester will will take place in April.
Greenthumb has weekly meetings on Thursdays at 7pm. Meetings are held in Patterson Hall room 105.
Want to know more about Greenthumb? Find them on.. Facebook: Friends of Greenthumb Orgsync: Greenthumb Twitter: UK Greenthumb Email: Ryan Lark, ryan_lark@uky.edu, or Taylor Renfro, at taylor.renfro@uky.edu
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The Ecology Club has meetings on Mondays at 5pm in Thomas Hunt Morgan room 305.
Want to know more about the Ecology Club? Find them on... Facebook: UK Ecology Club Email: Olivia Utley, ojutley502@gmail.com
HORTICULTURE CLUB
“The University of Kentucky Horticulture Club encourages students from a diversity of backgrounds to come together and enjoy the nature around them. We do this by engaging students in native plant production, sustainable agriculture practices, worldwide travel experiences, and much more! “ -Cody Jones, President
UPCOMING EVENTS:
The Horticulture Club has weekly meetings almost every Wednesday at 5 pm in Greenhouse 12. Upcoming this season, the Horticulture Club will be hosting a table at the April 5th Urban Forestry Initiative public event with Dr. Nina Bassuk. They will also be hosting a booth at the Arboretum for their Arbor Day festivities on April 29th. Be on the lookout for their “Spring into Summer” sale that will be jumpstarted in late March through early April!
Want to know more about the Horticulture Club? Find them on.. Facebook: UK Horticulture Club Instagram: uk_horticulture_club Email: hortclubuk@gmail.com
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
YOUR STUDENT ORGS GREENHOUSE CLUB
URBAN LEYO (Lexington Environmental Youth Outreach) FORESTRY CLUB
“The Greenhouse Club seeks to create a social outlet for environmental and sustainability minded individuals while providing further environmental education centered around life at UK and in the city of Lexington.” -Rachel Cook, Founder and President
The Urban Foretry Club is a new student organization for students who are interested in playing a critical role in jumpstarting different tree-related initiatives on campus. Students who join will gain valuable additions to their “green” network and be able to have an influence on the health of the urban forest both on campus and in the community.” - Grace Coy, President
UPCOMING EVENTS:
The Greenhouse Club has weekly meetings on Tuesday from 7-8pm in the Academic Sciences Building room 103. Meetings on March 7th and 28th will feature special workshops! The first on DIY face scrubs, and the second on planting (suggested to bring 2-liter bottle). On March 25th there will be a special event: Learning to Lead: A Tree Walk Workshop.
Want to know more about Greenhouse Club? Find them on..
Facebook: UK Greenhouse Club Orgsync: Greenhouse Environmental and Sustainability Club Email: greenhouseclubuky@gmail.com
UPCOMING EVENTS:
“Through experiential environmental education, LEYO seeks to empower and educate marginalized youth to become agents of sustainable change while providing them with the tools to combat environmental injustice. LEYO aims to cultivate a campus of civically engaged students and communitywide understanding of environmental, economic, and social implications of ” sustainability issues.” - Jennifer Taylor, Executive Director
The Urban Forestry Club will soon change its meeting times. Keep an eye out for new dates and times in your email inbox and on the NRES Facebook page.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
On Wednesday, April 5th, at 6pm the Urban Forest Initiative will be hosting a talk by Dr. Nina Bassuk titled “Moving Beyond the Native/Exotic Debate: Best Practices for a Healthy Urban Forest.” The talk will be held at the Fayette County Extension Office.
LEYO will be re-opening their application for Sustainability Mentors in the fall. Mentors are required to be available 2:10-4:30 every Monday for the duration of the 2017-2018 Academic Year. You will be paired with one to two students at William Wells Brown Elementary to be their mentor and conduct bimonthly experiential activities.
The club is currently looking to fill leadership positions for the fall semester. This club is a great opportunity to become a leader in a new organization.
Want to know more about Urban Forestry Club? Find them on.. Orgsync: Urban Forestry Club Email: Grace Coy, grace.coy@uky.edu or Nic Williamson, nwilliamson@uky.edu
LEYO will soon be taking applications for the following positions: Director of Programming, Director of Finance, Director of External Relations.
Want to know more about LEYO? Find them on..
Facebook: UK LEYO Orgsync: Lexington Environmental Youth Outreach Email: LEYOutreach@gmail.com
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STEERING COMMITTEE
THE NRES STEERING COMMITTEE: GUIDING STUDENTS TO SUCESSFUL PATHWAYS
Pictured from left to right: Dr. Steve Price, Department of Forestry; Dr. Jack Schieffer, Department of Agricultural Economics; Robert Paratley, Department of Forestry; Dr. Chris Matocha, Department of Plant and Soil Science; Dr. Brian Lee, Department of Landscape Architecture; Dr. Dave McNear, Department of Plant and Soil Science; and Dr. Mary Arthur, Department of Forestry.; Dr. Chris Sass, Department of Landscape Architecture. Not pictured: Dr. Kevin Yeager, Department of Earth and Environmental Science. The Steering Committee oversees all aspects of the NRES curriculum including advising students, revising program objectives, and directing expansion of the major. This year the steering committee has been working at to expand NRES curricular options in a way that effectively captures the interests of students in our growing program. The efforts of these faculty contribute greatly to NRES students’ abilities to forge unique and valuable pathways to success both during and after their time at the University of Kentucky.
A SPECIAL THANKS TO LEXI NEUKIRCH
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to former NRES student and newsletter co-author, Lexi Neukirch. Lexi graduated from the University of Kentucky last fall with a degree in NRES and a minor in Business. Her creative efforts, positive attitude, and trusted reliability have left a lasting impact on this newsletter, the writing team, and our readers. Thank you, Lexi, we congratulate you and cannot wait to see what wonderful things you achieve in your future!
HAVE IDEAS FOR FUTURE STORIES?
If you have news you would like to see included in the newsletter, or other comments or information, please email me at marthur@uky.edu. We aim to keep you informed of our activities and engaged in the success of our current students and alumni.
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HELP NRES CONTINUE HELPING STUDENTS ON THEIR PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS! NRES is seeking donations to help fund student scholarships. We will soon have a way to accept online donations. In the meantime, if you wish to donate, contact Geri Philpott at geri.philpott@uky.edu or 859-257-2337.