E-newsletter of the
Ecological Society of America's SEEDS program
www.esa.org/seeds
www.esa.org/seeds
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Jan/Feb 2008
Volume 9, Issue 1 E-newsletter of the
Ecological Society of America's SEEDS program
www.esa.org/seeds |
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In this issue:
PROGRAM NEWS STUDENT HIGHLIGHT CHAPTER HIGHLIGHT ALUMNI CORNER STAFF NEWS BULLETIN BOARD SEEDS OPPORTUNITIES SEEDS Dispersal is published online six times a year with additional special issues by the SEEDS (Strategies for Ecology Education, Development, and Sustainability) program. SEEDS promotes opportunities to diversify and advance the profession of ecology. |
NEW YEAR MESSAGE Jui Shrestha Happy New Year 2008! The SEEDS staff would like to wish all the students, mentors, alumni, and well-wishers a prosperous year ahead. This edition of SEEDS Dispersal captures highlights of the past year and offers a peek into the exciting programs for the upcoming year. Of special note is the 2006 Presidential Award, recently given to ESA for excellence in Science, Math and Engineering mentoring. Jason Taylor, former Director of the Education and Diversity Programs (2001-2007) and SEEDS mentor Jeff Herrick, provide their reflections on mentoring in this issue of the newsletter. The end of the year saw the first ever Staff Retreat, which provided a valuable opportunity for our very new staff members to bond and plan for future SEEDS activities. Recognizing our strong and vibrant student base, we have started a Chapter of the Year Award, and hope to be flooded with applications. The same goes for the planned Field Trip to Bonanza Creek LTER in Alaska. Last year also saw the introduction of the Alumni Committee to SEEDS, which has gotten off to a great start with the outreach effort during the San José Annual Meeting. This issue of the newsletter also sees the launch of a grad school column that will rely heavily on alumni contributions. Clearly, the input of everyone involved with SEEDS has strengthened the SEEDS community. We thank everybody for their efforts, and look forward to another year of working together to build upon the successes of the past year.
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2006 Presidential Award ESA was awarded the 2006 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM). The award is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and includes a $10,000 grant that will go towards sponsoring students for future Annual Meetings. The award was presented to ESA at a White House ceremony on November 16, 2007. All other recipients of the award were individuals – a testimony to ESA’s commitment to diversity and the success of the various SEEDS initiatives. The following reflections by Jason Taylor and Jeff Herrick highlight the unique experience of mentoring. Jason Taylor was the Director for SEEDS and left ESA in June to join the Utah Society for Environmental Education. Jeff Herrick is a Research Scientist at the Jordana Experimental Range in New Mexico. He was the fellowship mentor for Noemi Baquera and mentored Jorge Acosta , Annie Vaughan, Leah Spellen and Josh Garcia during ESA Annual Meetings. SEEDS Mentoring and Winning the Tour de France: A Peripatetic Analogy Jeff Herrick The Tour de France has 20 stages. Typical ecologists spend over 20 years preparing for their career. Like the Tour de France, the stages on the path to an environmental science career in government, academia, or the private sector are challenging and diverse. Staying in the race requires a strong team. In the Tour, eight team members support a leader, in the hope that they may be given the nod in the future. The contributions of each team member vary, depending on the characteristics of the stage. While mentoring is hard to do on a ‘pay it forward’ basis, most leaders in ecology can easily identify a team of eight or more mentors who supported them during the various stages of their career. The number, diversity, and commitment of this team vary widely. One of the strongest characteristics of the SEEDS program is that it provides students with a team of mentors that is larger, more diverse and (frequently) more committed than one that students could assemble on their own. SEEDS mentors include short-term ‘Meeting mentors’ and long-term ‘Fellowship mentors’ (though some students remain in touch with their Meeting mentors for many years). SEEDS students are usually paired with a different mentor for each annual meeting they attend. Many mentors take the time to introduce students to colleagues with similar interests during poster sessions, in hallways, and during meals. In some cases, impromptu support from others (which also occurs during the Tour de France) can be more important than time spent with the student’s designated mentoring team. Each SEEDS student attending an annual meeting is also paired with a more senior student, who can often serve as bridges with the career ecologist mentor. ESA education staff members serve as informal mentors throughout students’ participation in the SEEDS program, as they have spent countless hours carefully matching students with Meeting mentors. Each student leaves the national meeting with a diverse team of mentors that includes several of their peers, at least one career ecologist, and members of the ESA education staff. Fellowship mentors, too, are carefully selected based on shared interests and the willingness of the mentor to commit a significant amount of time to the student, and their ability to integrate the student into their existing team of colleagues, other students, and technicians. This is arguably one of the more challenging mentoring opportunities, as the students have high expectations of this unique chance to complete the equivalent of a senior thesis outside of their home institution. While it can be argued that mentoring is a responsibility for ecologists, the opportunity to serve as a SEEDS mentor has, for me, been very much a privilege. The enthusiasm that SEEDS students generate together, the support they provide for each others’ dreams, and the diversity of their perspectives are both energizing and enlightening. While the time commitment associated with being a SEEDS Meeting or Fellowship mentor is often greater than that associated with other similar mentoring opportunities, the rewards are greater still. And unlike the Tour de France, more than one team can – and does – win. |
Jason Taylor writes: The Ecological Society of America (ESA), largely due to the success of the SEEDS program, just won the 2006 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Engineering and Mathematics Mentoring (PAESMEM). This is a great honor for the Society, as it is the highest award for science mentoring in the country. It's been a long journey and a great many people, including the leadership and staff of ESA (especially Melissa Armstrong and Katherine Hoffman) deserve a great round of applause. One challenging aspect of an award like this is to ensure that the accomplishments of the grassroots participants are recognized. I firmly believe that it is the everyday actions of ESA members and SEEDS students that make the program what it is today. You are the ones who work hard, who donate time, who overcome shyness, who push aside cultural barriers, and who cry and laugh. Each and every participant of the SEEDS program over the past 10+ years deserves to take a moment, sit back, reflect, and revel in this wonderful acknowledgement of your efforts. While we were receiving the award, I was asked what the ultimate outcome of success was in a mentoring program. I didn't hesitate to say that it is when a participant takes what they have learned and gives a piece of it back to their community. For all of those who have participated in SEEDS over the past decade, this is the perfect time to seize what you learned and give back. What can you do, right now, to help mentor someone? Is it visiting a K-12 class to act as a role model? Is it walking into your Dean’s office and asking for more mentoring support? Or is it just a random act of kindness to a colleague or peer. Whatever it is, wherever you are, you can do something! It was through everyday actions that this program became strong and will continue to be, as each of you gives back and makes a difference. For those who have already passed through the program, be proud that you were part of creating something great; for those just starting, welcome to the family! Photo Credit: Rodney Choice and Choice Photography |
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A Visit with SEEDS Fellow Annette Cardona Melissa Armstrong On November 13, I visited one of our current SEEDS Fellows, Annette Cardona, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Annette, a student at Texas A&M University, gave me a tour of the campus. I was surprised to learn that it is actually on an island! Later, we drove for about an hour to her fellowship research site, in Port Aransas, Texas, where she is working at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute. Annette is doing an ecology education research project for her fellowship. I met with her and her mentors, Rick Tinnin and John Williams, and learned a great deal more about her project. I was able to see Annette’s project in action as I went out with a middle school group on the R/V Katy that is used by UT for educational purposes. It was wonderful to see the power of experiential education, as students’ faces lit up as they saw the life in Corpus Christi bay; in addition to basic operations of the R/V Katy as it trawled for plankton and marine organisms. We studied the organisms later with the microscopes and tanks that were on board. Annette is seeking to understand how students learn and retain marine ecology. She is evaluating student learning before and after a curriculum enhancement “treatment” that will be given to visiting classes in the spring semester. She is also examining the schools, teacher preparedness, and Texas state standardized test scores to obtain a complete picture of where students are coming from and how are they learning. Congratulations, Annette, on an excellent project. We look forward to hearing about your results at the 2008 ESA Annual Meeting. |
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Collaborative Field Trip: UPR Río Piedras and Bayamón SEEDS Chapters Diana K. Guzman Leading Initiatives for Future Ecologists (LIFE) – Chapter Representative
The
collaborative field trip led by Manuel Sanfiorenzo,
Colibrí Sanfiorenzo
and Josué Sánchez, which took place in late September, gave the students a
first hand experience of speleology.
Among the huge cave systems that Puerto Rico possesses, they visited Cueva
Ventana and Cueva del Indio. These two caves are very different, in that one
is located in the mountains and the other is part of a cliff next to the
ocean. On this trip, the students were able to observe the different
organisms and physical The students had a very positive attitude and were very interested in the poorly studied caves of Puerto Rico. Students from the two chapters mingled together as they admired the natural beauty of the caves. Students expressed an interest in doing more collaborative field trips and hoped to continue attending independent speleology expeditions to other caves. They all look forward to the next field trip, this time together with the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao chapter. Photo Credit: Diana Guzman |
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AKKA Website Launch
We are excited to announce the launch of the AKKA (Amá Ke Kachi Ará)
website. AKKA meaning Water, Earth, Sun and People is the SEEDS chapter at
the University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras. The website is in Spanish, and
they are also working on an English version. Check it out at
www.akkaseeds.org. Buen Trabajo!
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Cynthia Opurum Nature is very colorful and beautiful. It includes the millions of living organisms that make up our ecosystem, and it’s my job to help preserve it. That’s where me and my best friend, ecology, come in. I am Cynthia Opurum, a graduating senior at Livingstone College, located in the beautiful city of Salisbury, NC. After Graduation I plan on moving on to a higher level, that will lead me to my goal in life, which is of course, going to grad school. SEEDS has convinced me that studying Ecology is the way to go. SEEDS helped me to get to San Jose, CA, for the ESA Annual Meeting, where I was assigned a mentor who helped me a lot throughout the conference. The Santa Barbara (CA) field trip was a dream come true. There, I met with the beautiful and flamboyant organisms that live in the water. Wow! what a way to convince me that I am heading in the right direction. I learned a lot, and I carry it with me every day. As the president of the SEEDS Chapter in my school, my advisor and I are putting together a huge plan to take students from our school out on another field trip, that will open their eyes, and help contribute to our ecosystem. I live each day with joy and happiness, knowing that each day I step into is a day I have not seen before and a day I will never see again, so I try to make the best of it. I am convinced that I am on the right track in my life, and anything that has to do with sustaining our ecosystem is my number one priority. Photo Credit: Cindy Wilber |
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Hampton University Visit Teresa Mourad Located on the edge of Hampton Harbor, and home of the Emancipation Oak, under which the first classes were held for slaves in 1861, in defiance of state law, Hampton University (HU) stands out as a singular institution. Thanks to Dr. Barbara Abraham, faculty adviser of our SEEDS chapter there, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit ten biology classes from first years to seniors, and also shared information on ecology careers at two presentations on Nov 12–13. The SEEDS chapter has a pending application to become a formally recognized student organization within this dynamic, historically black university. For now, their activities are subsumed under the Biology and Marine Science club. One of their most ambitious projects was the installation, last summer, of a new butterfly garden, boasting beds of all-native plants by student leaders. Julie Gillem, Jaronica Byner, Danielle Williams, Alyson Weekes, and Tasha Counts conducted research for the garden. John Bushrod and Eric Marshall mapped the garden.John, Aerie Minor and Kristen Fisher watered the new plants.Chris Burrell helped organize the mulching. Other students participated in weeding. Sited just outside the doors of the Child Development Center on campus, the preschool children have already begun studying the life cycles of the butterflies and native plants. Next, the SEEDS chapter is working on making informational signs for the garden. Virtually all the students I met have already heard of the butterfly garden. I have every confidence that it will be the pride and joy of the SEEDS chapter, and will serve as an attractive and educational center for Hampton University. Also, thanks to Dr. Abraham, I was able to meet Dr. Camellia Okpodu, head of the Science Department at Norfolk State University (NSU), another historically black university. I am delighted to say that Dr. Okpodu is interested in establishing a SEEDS chapter at Norfolk. My eventful two day visit to HU and to NSU was indeed memorable. This was my first visit to a SEEDS chapter since I joined ESA in June. As I reflect on my visit and on the purposes of SEEDS, I am deeply impressed by the potential of SEEDS chapters to create opportunities for students of color to take on leadership roles in the field of ecology and in the community. I am also very encouraged by the dedication of Dr. Abraham and Dr. Okpodu. With you, I know that SEEDS will continue to flourish. |
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Congratulations Bruce! Melissa Armstrong
Bruce shares his enthusiasm in the following words: “As a former Fellow and SEEDS student, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the support during my journey. Well, my journey is not yet over, but I have achieved a milestone in my life by graduating recently with a Masters of Science. As I mentioned above, this is not the end but the beginning of my journey. My dream is to achieve a PhD in Ecology. However, I would like to attribute my success to the great mentorship I received during my research fellowship. This program is unique, because it helps you develop research skills at an undergraduate level that are very important at graduate level. My message to all the SEEDS students is that you made a good decision to join this group and the support you will find within SEEDS cannot be matched.” SEEDS is proud of Bruce Machona and the amazing person he is. Please be sure to keep the SEEDS program updated on your accomplishments too! Write to any staff person or seeds@esa.org. |
Graduate School Column Kickoff Jorge Ramos, College of Forest Resources, University of Washington The mission of the SEEDS program is to “diversify and advance the profession of ecology through opportunities that stimulate and nurture the interest of underrepresented students.” SEEDS has been recognized by ESA and the National Science Foundation as a program that has successfully introduced the science of ecology to hundreds of undergraduate students, specifically underrepresented minorities, through its various components. In order to accomplish the mission of diversifying and advancing the profession of ecology, the support should not only be focused at the undergraduate level, it should continue all the way to landing a job in the ecology profession. Of course, a program of that scale does not exist…yet. Recently, as more SEEDS students have been reaching the time to apply to graduate school, they discover that SEEDS does not have a direct component to assist them with the process of applying and beginning graduate school. The challenge of applying alone, with no guidance, can be overwhelming, especially when the student is a senior, trying to finish up senior projects and keep up a high GPA. The purpose of this new column is to offer advice to SEEDS students about the process of applying to graduate school. We would like to start with the basic and general checklist required for applying, and we will carry on with specific steps and/or topics. We will invite SEEDS alumni that have completed, or are in graduate school, to complement the column with their personal experiences. Each individual tried a different pathway, depending on many factors: location, mentor, program, research interests, career goals, funding, etc. All, some, or none of these may apply to your situation, but at least you will have the comforting feeling that you are not alone; every graduate student has gone through this process. For now, we would like to refer you to articles written by ESA members and recommended by many professors to prospective graduate students. Carson (1999) sums up the process of applying, all the way from maintaining a high GPA during your undergraduate career to accepting an offer from a graduate school. Stearns and Huey (1987) will offer an idea of what to expect by presenting advice to new and incoming graduate students. Feel free to send your questions, comments and suggestions for this column (seeds@esa.org). We will try to address them and hopefully assist you through the process of continuing your studies in graduate school. |
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Education and Diversity Programs Staff Goes on a Field Trip of Their Own Antonio Cordero and Teresa Mourad On December 4-6, ESA’s Education and Diversity Programs department was led on its first annual staff retreat by Director Teresa Mourad. The getaway was designed to inspire the team to formulate creative approaches that honor the department’s mission of increasing ethnic and racial diversity within ecology, as well as improving access to pedagogical resources for educators. An early season snow fall blanketed Algonkian Regional Park, VA, where we brainstormed ideas while enjoying scenic views of the Potomac River through daily hikes. SEEDS advisory board member, Jeff
Herrick, joined us on the first night and made significant contributions to
our discussion on continuing the award-winning Diversity Programs Manager, Melissa Armstrong, discussed her ideas on improving the research fellowship component of SEEDS. Erin Vinson, Diversity Programs Coordinator presented a plan to increase SEEDS chapter participation and improve communication. Diversity Programs Assistant, Jui Shrestha, and Education Intern, Antonio Cordero then led a discussion on how we can capture useful information concerning our students’ needs and experiences in SEEDS. Considerable attention was given to accessing faculty development and teaching resources, as Education Coordinator Jennifer Riem shared her efforts to bolster the EcoEd Digital Library and TIEE. Teresa Mourad invited opinions on new initiatives to involve grades 6-12 educators in ecological research, as well as undergraduate faculty. Together, we explored how the department can take a more integrated strategy to strengthen and sustain our core program areas. You will hear more about these ideas in the coming year. Special thanks go to Nadine Lymn, Director of ESA’s Public Affairs Office, who facilitated a fun and lively session on the practical skill of public speaking. These are skills that we will develop to deliver professional and engaging presentations. The retreat proved effective in motivating the staff to advance its mission. As we shared our personal convictions, the team re-dedicated its commitment to empowering underrepresented students and developing tomorrow’s leaders in science. In short, the experience, reminded us of SEEDS student field trips as we left with a reinforced sense of encouragement, motivation, and perspective. The reinvigorated Education and Diversity Programs department looks forward to working with you for a successful 2008. |
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Eligibility:
Contact: Carl Wilmsen, CFERP Program Coordinator, (510) 642 3431, cffellow@nature.berkeley.edu Application and full info: www.cnr.berkeley.edu/community_forestry
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) and the National Park Service is organizing a first-of-its kind conference, in which national youth conservation leaders will be able to meet directly with environmental policy makers. EarthVision will convene the best and the brightest young conservation leaders, along with government agency directors, elected officials, corporate executives, scientists, media personalities and others, to craft citizen-driven solutions to today’s environmental challenges. Website: http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?e=fd7139fe-0ef5-4a0d-afbf-49afa0061bad
The EPPLA program, established by the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) in 2003, enables graduate students in the biological sciences to receive first-hand experience in the science policy arena. Award recipients will receive a trip to Washington, DC in spring 2008, to participate in a Biological and Ecological Sciences Coalition (BESC) Congressional Visits Day (dates to be determined). The BESC CVD is an annual event that brings scientists and science educators to Washington, DC, to advocate for federal funding for the biological sciences. Applications for the 2008 EPPLA will be accepted from graduate students (masters or doctoral) in the biological sciences, with a demonstrated interest in and commitment to biological science and/or science education policy. The application packet must include a cover letter, a brief statement on the importance of biological science funding, a one-page resume emphasizing leadership and communication experience, and a letter of reference. Deadline: Thursday, 31 January 2008 Contact: Megan Debranski Kelhart, Public Policy Associate, (202) 628 1500 ext 230 Application form: www.aibs.org/public-policy/policy_training.html
The organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) is organizing a research experience and cultural exchange for Native American and Pacific Islander undergraduates from June 2, 2008 – July 28, 2008. The program will be based at the OTS Las Cruces Biological Station in Costa Rica. Las Cruces provides opportunities to study fragmentation biology and restoration ecology. Participants will be assigned a Research Mentor to assist them with their independent project. Students will complete a field research project involving experimental design, data collection, analysis and presentation of results. Participants will also have an opportunity to interact with indigenous groups of Central America, to understand their role in tropical forest conservation. Students will receive a round trip travel award and research stipend of $3000 per program. Deadline: February 28, 2008 Contact: Doug Eifler, Program Coordinator, Haskell Indian Nations Uni, (785) 424 3397, deifler@haskell.edu Application and full info: http://www.ots.duke.edu/en/education/reu_napire.shtml |
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**SEEDS Chapters!** Take Pride in Your Growth! Have you worked hard to build up your SEEDS Chapter? Has your chapter worked hard to become an outstanding model for SEEDS? This year, ESA wants to recognize the SEEDS chapter that has made the greatest impression, put forth the most effort, made the most outstanding contribution, wholeheartedly embraced the SEEDS mission, and gone the extra mile to extend SEEDS into the community. This year, ESA wants to recognize YOUR SEEDS chapter! We are currently asking for student-generated self-nominations from chapters for the 2007 Chapter of the Year Award. Nomination packets will be reviewed by our selection committee. Reviews will be based on some or all of the following: demonstration of commitment to the SEEDS mission, member action locally and in the community, projects (SEEDS funded or not) where students worked together to ensure success, any obstacles overcome, chapter creativity in recruitment and management, career development, a strong ecology component, and a strong diversity component. So what does it mean if your chapter wins? The winning chapter will be recognized at the Annual Meeting Diversity Mixer with the presentation of a Chapter of the Year certificate. The chapter will also be awarded recognition on the ESA and SEEDS website, a chapter highlight on the SEEDS website for one year, a press release, and announcements in the SEEDS newsletter and the ESA Bulletin. But that’s not all. ESA also wants to hear your voice! The Chapter of the Year will also be awarded time with well-known ecologists and leaders of ESA during the ESA Annual Meeting to share your successes and hopes for the future. A representative from the winning chapter will also be invited as a guest speaker to the 2009 SEEDS Leadership Meeting. If you think your chapter is most deserving of the Chapter of the Year Award and the recognition it brings, we want your nomination! To nominate your chapter, please submit the following in your nomination packet to seeds@esa.org by March 10, 2008:
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** SEEDS Spring Field Trip 2008** The SEEDS Spring Field Trip will take place from May 25 – 31 at the Bonanza Creek Long Term Ecological Research site (LTER) in the interior of Alaska http://www.lter.uaf.edu/. The theme of this field trip is “ecology on the edge: polar ecosystems and their response to a changing climate”. Taking place during the International Polar Year (IPY) http://www.ipy.org/, this field trip provides a unique opportunity to learn from, and perhaps contribute to, the scientific research programs taking place at the Earth’s poles. The Bonanza Creek LTER program is supported and hosted by the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station in the city of Fairbanks, Alaska, with major funding provided by the National Science Foundation. Bonanza Creek research focuses on improving understanding of the long-term consequences of climate change and disturbance in the Alaskan boreal forest. The forests of Alaska are part of a worldwide circumpolar band of boreal forest. Boreal forest consists of a mosaic of forest, grassland, shrubs, bogs, and alpine tundra, that have formed primarily as a result of slope, aspect, elevation, parent material, and succession following disturbance. During the field trip, students will tour Alaskan boreal forests, muskegs and wetlands, and the floodplains of the Tanana River. Students will conduct an ecological investigation, and present results on the effects of fires in Alaska. In addition, students will participate in Athabascan cultural activities and learn about the effects of climate change on Alaskan Natives. A career panel discussion will also give students some ideas of the diverse career paths in ecology. Opportunities for undergraduate and graduate opportunities at Bonanza Creek and the University of Alaska will be presented. Students are expected to maintain journals on their experience, both individually and as a group. Group journals will create a comprehensive field trip document that students are then encouraged to publish in the ESA Bulletin. The SEEDS program welcomes your participation in this opportunity. Applications are available here. Please contact Jui Shrestha with any questions at jui@esa.org. |
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** Now Accepting Special Project Grant Proposals ** Does your chapter have a special project in mind and need funding? All active chapters are eligible to apply for the Special Project Grant, which awards up to $5,000. More information, along with proposal guidelines and forms, can be found at http://esa.org/seeds/chapters/grants.php. Please send special project proposals to seeds@esa.org no later than January 28, 2008. Please contact Erin Vinson at erin@esa.org if you have any questions. |
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** ESA Annual Meeting 2008** Would you like to attend the 2008 ESA Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin? Then think about presenting your research! Over 4,000 professional ecologists and students attend this meeting to share their science and gain inspiration to further push the boundaries of the profession. The meeting theme is "Enhancing Ecological Thought by Linking Research and Education" and will be held from August 3-8. SEEDS supports 35 students to attend the ESA meeting through travel awards, matches students with meeting mentors, and helps student gain invaluable experience for their ecology career. Be more than an attendee of the ESA meeting; participate actively by presenting in a poster or oral session. The call for abstracts to present in a poster or oral session is now open until February 28, 2008. You can submit on-line at http://www.esa.org/milwaukee/abstract_call2008.php. Applications for the SEEDS Annual Meeting travel awards will be available on the SEEDS web site beginning February 1, with a deadline of March 1, 2008. In an effort to encourage SEEDS students to gain valuable experience of presenting at a national meeting, applications from students that are presenting will be given more weight during the application review process. Feel free to contact SEEDS staff with any questions about presenting during an ESA meeting or the abstract submission process. |
1900 M Street | Suite 700 | Washington, DC 20036 | phone 202-833-8773 | fax 202-833-8775 | email seeds@esa.org
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. All rights reserved.
In
an effort to promote ecology education and the value of our natural
surroundings, SEEDS chapters from the University of Puerto Rico at Río
Piedras (Amá Ke Kachi Ará) and the University of Puerto Rico at Bayamón
(LIFE) gathered their members and introduced them to cave ecosystems. The
idea for the trip came about when Dr. Conchi asked her Ecology class to list
places they wanted to visit during the semester, and these caves were among
the places listed. Dr. Conchi remembered that Manuel Sanfiorenzo (AKKA's
president), whom she had met during one of AKKA's field trips, is a
speleologist (studies caves). She called him and both of them proposed that
the two SEEDS groups go on a trip together. 
characteristics that make up a cave. After half an hour dedicated to
observations, groups gathered and discussed their findings and asked
questions about each of the caves and the organisms living in them. Among
the things that intrigued the students were the large size of the crickets,
the holes in the cave’s ceiling, colorless seedlings, plant roots extending
inwards inside the caves, and the spider species “Guavá” (see picture).
Southwest
Communities and Natural Resource Graduate Fellowships