SERVICE AND OUTREACH
It's always fun to step outside of the academic comfort zone and bring science to people in different realms, both directly and indirectly. To this end I’ve given presentations about my research to bar crowds, designed and built a nature trail with interactive signage and brought K-12 students out into nature to experience ecology firsthand. It's equally enjoyable to peek behind the academic curtain and see how it all operates. I got my first glimpse when I volunteered to serve on my undergraduate institution’s quality enhancement plan for re-accreditation. In this role I founded an undergraduate journal and student research organization. Finally, I love introducing aspiring biologists and others to the world of ecology and environmental science. I pursue this through my long standing commitment to the Ecological Society of America's SEEDS (Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity and Sustainability) program. I was introduced to ecology through SEEDS, I founded and advised a couple SEEDS chapters during my graduate and postdoctoral work and I am now co-advising a SEEDS chapter as a faculty member at FAU.
Current Service and Outreach Activities
Strategies for Ecology Education Diversity and Sustainability (SEEDS)
SEEDS is a diversity program of the Ecological Society of America. SEEDS provides aspiring ecologists with incredible opportunities such as traveling to remote ecological research stations and conferences. I first learned about ecology through the SEEDS chapter at my undergraduate institution (FAU) and I have been involved ever since. In graduate school I launched and advised a new chapter at the University of Arizona. As a postdoc at the University of Utah I launched and advised a SEEDS chapter. Now back at FAU, I am co-advising the FAU-SEEDS chapter with Dr. Evelyn Frazier. We welcome all interested students to join the club - all you need is an interest in science and the natural world! Contact me for more information at [email protected]. |
Tortuga Trail
Florida Atlantic University originally had a large (100+ acres) preserve on its main campus which consisted primarily of native Florida scrub habitat. I conducted my undergraduate honors thesis project on this plot of land, studying gopher tortoises, as well as several other projects. All the while, I witnessed the slow but steady shrinking of the habitat due to FAU construction projects (e.g. football stadium, parking lots, classrooms, student housing, etc.). By 2012, the preserve had shrunk to about 60 acres. In an effort to save this natural habitat I worked together with other ecology students in FAU's SEEDS club to raise funds for and create a two-mile interpretive nature trail which we called Tortuga Trail. Trails were designed and located such as to minimize impacts to the local resident gopher tortoises, burrowing owls, and other important native flora and fauna while still giving visitors an immersive experience in Florida's native scrub habitat. It took two years, countless hours, and over 20K in grants to complete this project. The trail remains today, and I continue to work with SEEDS to help maintain it. |
Southern entrance to Tortuga Trail at Florida Atlantic University. Photo by Josh Scholl.
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Past Service and Outreach Activities
Ecological Society of America Committee and Section Board Membership
ESA Science Committee Member 2017– 2019
I served as a member of ESA’s Science Committee. Collectively we strove to engage ESA members and the society in cutting edge science initiatives. One project included an NSF funded workshop intended to help the biological research community understand the implications of the benefit sharing requirements of the protocol for the conduct of international research.
ESA Student Section from 2011 – 2017
I joined the ESA Student Section in 2011 as an undergraduate student and treasurer. I served as the treasurer until 2014 when I stepped up as the Vice-chair a role that transitioned to Chair in 2016. As part of the section I have led many exciting initiatives including the transition to a brand new student-designed website, the production of digital resources, increased funding and consequently more student awards.
ESA Committee for Diversity and Education Member 2015 - 2017
This was my favorite committee to serve on. We worked hard to bring ESA members the latest in the education realm by preparing extensive digital, peer-reviewed educational activities among other resources. One of our biggest projects was exploring ecology careers outside of academia as well as providing our field with the first ecology core concepts framework. We hosted the first ESA Annual Meeting Career Fair at the 2018 ESA meeting.
ESA Meetings Committee 2015 – 2017
As a member of the Meetings Committee I worked to pick successful ESA meeting locations, ensure streamline session scheduling, and develop community partnerships with the hosting city. We also monitored participation with respect to diversity and other demographics that we strive to increase.
ESA Science Committee Member 2017– 2019
I served as a member of ESA’s Science Committee. Collectively we strove to engage ESA members and the society in cutting edge science initiatives. One project included an NSF funded workshop intended to help the biological research community understand the implications of the benefit sharing requirements of the protocol for the conduct of international research.
ESA Student Section from 2011 – 2017
I joined the ESA Student Section in 2011 as an undergraduate student and treasurer. I served as the treasurer until 2014 when I stepped up as the Vice-chair a role that transitioned to Chair in 2016. As part of the section I have led many exciting initiatives including the transition to a brand new student-designed website, the production of digital resources, increased funding and consequently more student awards.
ESA Committee for Diversity and Education Member 2015 - 2017
This was my favorite committee to serve on. We worked hard to bring ESA members the latest in the education realm by preparing extensive digital, peer-reviewed educational activities among other resources. One of our biggest projects was exploring ecology careers outside of academia as well as providing our field with the first ecology core concepts framework. We hosted the first ESA Annual Meeting Career Fair at the 2018 ESA meeting.
ESA Meetings Committee 2015 – 2017
As a member of the Meetings Committee I worked to pick successful ESA meeting locations, ensure streamline session scheduling, and develop community partnerships with the hosting city. We also monitored participation with respect to diversity and other demographics that we strive to increase.
Florida Atlantic University Quality Enhancement Plan
Florida Atlantic University, my undergraduate institution, sought reaffirmation of accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools: Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in 2013. I was fortunate to be invited to join a team of faculty proposing a potential Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) to achieve FAU's reaccreditation. I was invited to join the team as the student representative. In a nut shell, we proposed to enhance the undergraduate experience at FAU by implementing university wide research and inquiry opportunities. Our plan was selected, and I was offered the position of student representative to the FAU-QEP. In my role, I successfully launched an undergraduate research journal which is now in its eighth volume (FAU-URJ). I also founded the FAU Council for Scholarship and Inquiry and helped to expand the annual undergraduate research showcase. Finally, I worked with faculty members to design the curriculum for several research focused life science courses. |
Founding the Florida Atlantic University Undergraduate Research Journal and Council for Scholarship and Inquiry with my outstanding colleagues, Alena Rodriguez and Priscilla Hernandez.
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Tortuga Trail
Florida Atlantic University originally had a large (100+ acres) preserve on its main campus which consisted primarily of native Florida scrub habitat. I conducted my undergraduate honors thesis project on this plot of land, studying gopher tortoises, as well as several other projects. All the while, I witnessed the slow but steady shrinking of the habitat due to FAU construction projects (e.g. football stadium, parking lots, classrooms, student housing, etc.). By 2012, the preserve had shrunk to about 60 acres. In an effort to save this natural habitat I worked together with other ecology students in FAU's SEEDS club to raise funds for and create a two-mile interpretive nature trail which we called Tortuga Trail. Trails were designed and located such as to minimize impacts to the local resident gopher tortoises, burrowing owls, and other important native flora and fauna while still giving visitors an immersive experience in Florida's native scrub habitat. It took two years, countless hours, and over 20K in grants to complete this project. The trail remains today, and I continue to work with SEEDS to help maintain it. |
Southern entrance to Tortuga Trail at Florida Atlantic University. Photo by Josh Scholl.
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Florida Atlantic University Conservation Committee 2010 - 2013 and 2023 - Present
I originally joined this committee in 2010 and shortly after I began working as an ecology researcher in the FAU Campus Preserve. This committee was concerned with managing the natural area on campus, specifically with respect to the threatened gopher tortoises and burrowing owls. The committee consists of FAU faculty members, Florida Fish and Game agents, FAU engineers and master plan consultants, as well as concerned members of the public. My role in this committee is primarily to convey research findings to optimize management efforts. Through my membership on this committee, I have and continue to learn a great deal about the politics of universities regarding land management, and the clash between conservation and business expansion.
I originally joined this committee in 2010 and shortly after I began working as an ecology researcher in the FAU Campus Preserve. This committee was concerned with managing the natural area on campus, specifically with respect to the threatened gopher tortoises and burrowing owls. The committee consists of FAU faculty members, Florida Fish and Game agents, FAU engineers and master plan consultants, as well as concerned members of the public. My role in this committee is primarily to convey research findings to optimize management efforts. Through my membership on this committee, I have and continue to learn a great deal about the politics of universities regarding land management, and the clash between conservation and business expansion.