The University of Mississippi Field Station and Center for Water and Wetlands Resources: Educational Research Opportunities
The University of Mississippi (UM) Field Station is a research and educational facility designed to serve UM faculty, staff and students as well as visiting faculty and students, public and private schools, government agencies and the broader community of the Mid-South. The Field Station (UMFS) is located on 746 acres of diverse habitat 11 miles northeast of Oxford, MS. UMFS is an excellent resource for those who wish to do freshwater, wetlands and closed canopy research. We offer both natural and constructed wetlands in the form of 220 ponds, 6 natural springs, 4-capped artesian wells and numerous seeps that equal to approximately 90 acres of surface water. From the property’s beginnings as a minnow farm in the 1940’s to its inception as the UM Field Station, fresh water has played an important role in defining the use of this unique property. The unique educational opportunity we will focus on in our presentation is the abundant availability of fresh water on the Field Station property. This resource is directly connected to at least half of all research done at the site. We will present details of several ongoing projects and classes that directly pertain to this important resource. We will also discuss our outreach efforts and the ecology day camp for kids and how we use these opportunities to introduce the ideas of water conservation and good stewardship of natural resources.
The University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
133 • Hilary M. Swain, Fred E. Lohrer, Dustin D. Angell
Archbold Biological Station: Sustaining the Confluence of Research, Conservation, and Education in Florida
Archbold Biological Station, in south central Florida, is dedicated to research, conservation, and education. We summarize trends in graduate, undergraduate, K-12, and public education at Archbold, and describe the intersection of education with research and conservation. Archbold, founded in 1941, hosted our first graduate student in 1957. Since the 1960s faculty have taught their college classes at Archbold, ranging from an introduction to Florida ecosystems to graduate ecology. Archbold’s research internships commenced in 1968; they provide a residential 6-12 month research experience including independent ressearch. More than 400 interns, mostly postbaccalaureates, have been trained, and many have gone onto graduate studies. Early on, Archbold offered intermittent K-12 experiences, mostly middle and high school but in 1991 a formal 3-5th grade program and summer camps were initiated. Since then we have reached more than 40,000 students from surrounding rural schools and now serve ~50% Hispanic and African American children. We describe our K-12 programs, emphasizing linkages between research and curricula development. In 2012 Archbold expanded outreach programs, building a LEED Platinum Learning Center with self-guiding trails and activities for the public. Our educational opportunities have returned benefits. We illustrate how education has: (i) created a pipeline of future scientists returning to conduct research and teach classes; (ii) trained the conservation stewards who protect surrounding ecosystems; (iii) inspired the public to serve as volunteers; (iv) engaged donors and increased fundraising potential; and (v) fostered strong local support for Archbold and our important work in protecting species, habitats, and ecosystem services.
Archbold Biological Station, Venus, FL
134 • Matthew E. Kimball, Dennis M. Allen
Research and Education at the University of South Carolina’s Baruch Marine Field Laboratory: Opportunities for Undergraduate Field-Based Experiences
The University of South Carolina’s Baruch Marine Field Laboratory (BMFL) is located on a 17,500 acre tract of land comprised of coastal forest, freshwater wetlands, and salt marsh habitats, collectively called Hobcaw Barony, located in Georgetown, South Carolina. In operation for nearly 40 years, BMFL has an expansive presence at the marsh edge alongside the North Inlet estuary that includes a large laboratory complex with classrooms, running seawater facilities, and boat/shop infrastructure all tailored specifically for university-level research and teaching. Undergraduate students from both in-state and out-of-state colleges and universities come to BMFL and its environs during all seasons for course field trips (e.g., 26 such trips in 2013) or as part of undergraduate internship/volunteer research activities, particularly during summer (e.g., 12 students during 2013 summer), and gain valuable hands-on experience outside of the classroom. Further, in addition to the usual physical and natural science majors (e.g., geology, biology), BMFL hosts field trips geared towards a variety of other disciplines, such as art and history, that have incorporated coastal and estuarine themes into their courses. Because BMFL has ample and affordable on-site dormitory space, overnight stays for short (e.g., days) trips and entire courses (1 to 3 weeks) are possible. Regardless of discipline or background, these field-based, first-hand experiences serve to reinforce concepts discussed in the classroom, demonstrate scientific principles and techniques, and allow a greater understanding and appreciation of nature; ultimately (and hopefully) motivating undergraduate students and exciting their interests in the natural world for a lifetime.
Baruch Marine Field Laboratory, University of South Carolina, Georgetown, SC
135 • Tom B. Blanchard, Jennifer Greenwood, Dawn Wilkins, Lisa Krueger
The Changing Role of Reelfoot Lake Environmental Field Station in Providing Educational and Research Opportunities Along the Mississippi River Floodplain of Northwest Tennessee
Reelfoot Lake Environmental Field Station was established as a University of Tennessee at Martin (UTM) facility in 1981. Until 2010, the station was operated through the Dept of biological sciences and primarily served as housing and laboratory space for UTM course field trips. It also served as a base of operation for faculty conducting research in the Reelfoot Lake area. In 2007, funding from the U. S. Dept of Education was received to support activities related to K-12 education. It was felt however, that the station was not reaching its potential in supporting undergraduate education and scientific research. In 2010, administration of the station was transferred to the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences and a half-time director was appointed. Since 2010, a formal summer course program has been established and there are currently six courses being offered in the biological sciences and geology. The courses last 2-5 weeks and are designed to provide hands-on experiences in field techniques common to each area of study. Funding to support UTM undergraduate research in the Reelfoot Lake area is available through the Smith, Henson, Sliger Undergraduate Research Scholarship. The scholarship grants approximately $4,000 per award and is intended to help students cover living expenses while conducting research during the summer. RLEFS is currently seeking NSF funding to facilitate the development of a strategic plan with the long-term goals of strengthening collaborations with other universities/agencies and expanding opportunities for undergraduate education and scientific research in the Reelfoot Lake area.
Dept of Biological Sciences, University of Tennessee at Martin, Martin, TN
