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CONSERVING THROUGH RESEARCH AND EDUCATION



What's wrong with this picture?

This is one of my favorite pictures of outreach/engagement. I stepped back and took the photo of a group of students and biology professionals looking at an imperiled Butler's Gartersnake. It had been found in a restored habitat along a river in Milwaukee. The event was a field trip following a Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation meeting. Very cool. 

So what is wrong? Well nothing. But I can't take the same picture right now - poor social distancing! And it exemplifies what we can't do now - have events, do research, attend meetings. :( 

We are nevertheless getting some things done. Read more below. 

I look forward to going on field trips, chatting with you in the ERC about wetlands, trees, and bats. But for now we will stay in touch and carry on. 

Be safe!
Bruce Kingsbury
Director

Tree Campus USA Certified!

Needles to say, we're a little sappy over here!

Purdue Fort Wayne has been honored with 2019 Tree Campus USA® recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation. The Tree Campus USA program recognizes colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals.
 
To obtain this distinction, Purdue Fort Wayne met the five core standards:
  • A tree advisory committee
  • A campus tree-care plan
  • Dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program
  • Arbor Day observance
  • Student service-learning project
The campus community as a whole is proud to share this title achievement showcasing the sustained commitment to environmental stewardship. 
 
In spite of the COVID-19 virus pandemic which has closed campus, the Facilities Management Department was able to celebrate Arbor Day by planting more than 70 trees over the past few weeks. The new plantings include species such as Ann Magnolia, Dogwood, Redbud, Scotch Pine, and Umbrella Magnolia to name just a few.
 
For more information on the certification and a full list of Tree Campus USA schools visit ArborDay.org. You can expect to see Purdue University Fort Wayne on the official list next month!

                           

Effects of COVID-19 on University Research

Spotlight on our very own Dr. Bergeson and Dr. Kingsbury

We asked biology professors at Purdue University Fort Wayne to share how their research has been impacted by the pandemic and how they are adapting. This month, we are highlighting Dr. Scott Bergeson and our director, Dr. Bruce Kingsbury.

Dr. Bergeson's research is currently focused on the impact of human activities on bats. This puts his research in a particularly unique situation. He shared, "Due to the potential that humans may transmit the novel coronavirus to our local bat species, the US Fish and Wildlife Service has put a pause on all research that involves direct contact with bats. Essentially, we don’t want to burden our bats with another disease that will expedite their extinction. Thus, for now, the Bergeson Wildlife Lab will be working with bats indirectly using acoustic detectors. Our work with small mammals at Eagle Marsh Nature Preserve and our search for populations of star-nosed moles in NE Indiana will continue as per usual (following proper social-distancing protocols)!"
"...we don’t want to burden our bats with another disease that will expedite their extinction."
                                                                                                                                -Dr. Bergeson
Director Kingsbury's research group studies imperiled wildlife with a particular focus on reptiles and the conservation of their habitat. New research funding is on hold and old research paused as sponsors and hosts work out issues largely relating to social distancing. "I know this is frustrating and even a bit worrisome for some students who are dependent on collecting data to complete their research projects, but we will sort all that out as we can." No support has been lost, but some projects will be modified or delayed until next field season. Fortunately, it has also been recognized that in some cases, the work is being done in a remote area and there aren't any other people around - so maybe will get to carry on. 

Using Moss to Study Air Quality Issues

Dr. Sherrie Steiner, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology and Sociology

Dr. Sherrie Steiner is an assistant professor of Sociology at Purdue University Fort Wayne who has been studying air quality in Hartford City Indiana since 2016. Her most recent research was aimed at examining air contamination surrounding Hartford Iron and Metal by measuring heavy metal levels in moss. 

Dr. Steiner engaged community members, the Blackford County Concerned Citizens; interns; and Purdue University Fort Wayne Biology faculty and students in carrying out this project.

The second stage of Dr. Steiner's research was completed this fall and a full update on the project, written by Dr. Steiner, can be found on her Air Quality in Hartford City Indiana project page on the ERC website

Three Cheers for Citizen Science!

Hip hip Hooray!! City Nature Challenge was a success!

Last month, the City Nature Challenge brought 41,663 people from around the world together in collaboration for a massive citizen science project. In the 7 counties in Northeast Indiana making up the Fort Wayne Area team, 117 people got out and made observations of wildlife and 207 people identified them. Even our own Liz Cubberley was in the leaderboard for the most observations! Together, these citizen scientists contributed 1,966 observations of 500 species in just 4 days!














Projects that engage members of the public in scientific research have become increasingly common as an approach and that is important for many reasons. We've shared just a few below.
  1.  Gaps in data are filled in places that are difficult to reach and in subjects that are underfunded and understudied
  2. Participation creates connections with the place of engagement and leads to increased stewardship
  3. Personal well-being improves with opportunities for social connection, increased sense of place and importance, and knowledge.
  4. Communities are empowered by experiencing the difference involvement makes at the local scale
  5. Collaboration opportunities increase as more people engage, leading to even greater participation
Visit the Fort Wayne Area project page to see some of the nature photographs yourself!

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Bruce Kingsbury
Environmental Resources Center
Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW)
2101 East Coliseum Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499

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