UMEB: Integrating Science and Stewardship in the Adirondacks

这项UMEB提案建立在利用UMEB初始资金开发的成功模式的基础上。根据通过计划评估学到的经验教训，增加了新的计划要素。其目标是为来自代表性不足群体的24名学生提供密集的支持和指导，特别是美洲原住民。学生的兴趣是从一年级到四年级，通过在实地和校园内共享的学生活动来培养的。为期两年的辅导、研究和社区外展活动的强化经验从三年级开始。大一和大二期间的周末到阿迪朗达克生态中心(AEC)的实地考察，大二之后在红莓湖生物站(CLBS)为期5周的夏季实地考察课程，以及大三之后在AEC或CLBS进行的有指导的夏季实地考察是三个阶段的实地体验的开始。共享的实地课程，4个学期的UMEB专题研讨会，以及紧密的协作学习社区是该项目的标志。学生们还与一位管理导师一起工作--一位来自合作环境组织或机构的科学家。研究项目由学生主导，主题为“阿迪朗达克山脉的科学与管理”。拟议的活动弥合了传统课堂学习与实地知识应用之间的差距。将学生与来自保护社区的专业管理导师配对，对UMEB学生和管理组织的工作都有好处。通过社区外展计划传播研究成果将进一步将可靠的科学融入决策，从而使ESF在阿迪朗达克山脉的合作伙伴受益。

This UMEB proposal builds upon a successful model developed with initial UMEB funding. New program elements guided by lessons learned through program assessment have been added. The goal is to provide intensive support and mentoring for 24 students from under-represented groups, particularly Native Americans. Student's interest is nurtured beginning freshman year through senior year, using shared student activities in the field as well as on campus. An intensive 2-year experience of mentoring, research and community outreach activities begins in the junior year. A three-stage field experience is initiated by weekend field trips to the Adirondack Ecological Center (AEC) during the freshman and sophomore years, a 5-week summer field course at the Cranberry Lake Biological Station (CLBS) after the sophomore year, and the capstone experience of mentored summer field research at the AEC or CLBS after the junior year. Shared coursework in the field, 4 semesters of focused UMEB seminars and a close-knit community for collaborative learning are hallmarks of the program. Students also work with a stewardship mentor-- a scientist from a collaborating environmental organization or agency. Research projects are student-driven under the theme of "Science and Stewardship in the Adirondacks". The proposed activities bridge the gap between traditional classroom learning and application of the knowledge in the field. Pairing of students with professional stewardship mentors from the conservation community benefits both UMEB students and the work of stewardship organizations. Communication of research results via community outreach programs will benefit ESF partners in the Adirondack Mountains by further integrating sound science into decision-making.