Ecological Sampling and Backcountry Camping
Previously, I was an instructor in two departments: environmental science and outdoor at Montreat College outside of Asheville, NC. Many of my courses used wildlands as a classroom. Yearly I instructed biology 101 (non-majors), intro to environmental science, intro to sustainability, ecology, field natural history, conservation biology, teaching science methods (lab), and teaching methods in the outdoors. Additionally, I taught a series of week-long field courses that focused on ecological sampling and a month-long field based course on environmental interpretation.
Coastal Ecosystems and Monitoring
My work in North Carolina included a bi-yearly field course to the Outerbanks and Duke University’s Beaufort Campus and Marine Lab. In these courses, students learned monitoring of coastal ecosystems, prominent species interactions, and general ecology. Students experienced guest lectures with the Nature Conservancy, the National Park Service, the NC Coastal Management, and the Audubon Society. Additionally, students learned water safety and outdoor skills such as sea kayaking and surfing.
Wetland Ecosystems and Monitoring
My work in North Carolina also included a bi-yearly field course to the wetlands across the state. In these courses, students learned monitoring of wetland ecosystems, prominent species interactions, general ecology, and management of mountain bogs, salt marshes, and cypress swamps. Students experienced guest lectures with the Nature Conservancy, the National Park Service, and the NC Aquarium. Additionally, students learned water safety and outdoor skills such camping and canoeing.
American Ecosystems
In 2017, 2013, and 2009 I co-instructed Montreat College’s American Ecosystems course, a 28-day environmental interpretation course to 20 national and state parks. On the course, students learned the ecosystems of the American West and how to communicate environmental content in a wilderness setting. Students lived together on a sleeper bus most nights and then learned camping skills at large parks such as the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Olympic, and Yellowstone. Each student partnered with a park ranger and practiced their interpretation skills by teaching the group about the park’s ecosystems, biodiversity, or management issues.