SEEDS: Newsletter > Volume 4, Issue 8 - October 2006

SEEDS Highlight: Clayton State University Campus Ecology Chapter

The Clayton State SEEDS Chapter has not been in existence long, but in the short time that we have been established, we have accomplished much. Since the formation of our Chapter in March of 2006 we have participated in several field trips in association with Clayton State’s Science Association. We spent an incredible evening viewing the awe-inspiring Human Bodies exhibit at the Atlanta Civic Center. Students and faculty alike were floored by the exhibits that could be described as nothing less than art.

We also had the grand opportunity to tour the newly opened Georgia Aquarium that already has the reputation of being the largest aquarium in the world with approximately 8 million gallons of water and more than 100,000 different animals from across the globe.

In addition to collecting ink cartridges for recycling, we participated in Earth Day, handing out flyers about the many ways each of us can help to maintain and protect our planet. Packets of seeds were also given out for students and faculty to plant.

Dr. Boudell and Charlee Glenn had an incredible time in Memphis this past August at ESA’s 91st Annual Conference at which Dr. Boudell presented her symposium on Riparian Plant Ecology. We also had the opportunity to introduce ourselves as a new chapter in Georgia and gave a brief explanation of our recent endeavors and future plans. We met many new people, gathered new ideas for possible projects, and got the chance to network with other SEEDS Chapters across the nation.

Since the ESA Conference, the SEEDS Chapter at Clayton State has made much progress. We participated in the University’s Activities Fair at which we recruited several new members. SEEDS has also finally become its own entity with club status and privileges. Regular meetings and projects are already under way for the fall semester. We have a newly erected bulletin board that will post monthly updates, opportunities in ecology, meeting times and locations. We plan to visit to the Botanical Gardens, Fern Bank, the Atlanta Zoo, and several local graduate schools. We have recently discovered that both Dr. Boudell and our Vice President Serge Farinas will be participating in the Coweeta LTER Field Trip sponsored by ESA; Dr. Boudell as a mentor and Serge as a participant.

Furthermore, we were contacted by Seth Gunning and his Environmental Organization (SAVE) of the University of Georgia and plan to collaborate with them on a statewide project to unite students and establish a first annual Environmental/Energy Conference. We hope to address and raise awareness on environmental and climatic changes. On our own campus we hope to create a natural garden with plaques describing the plants.

Dr. Jere Boudell
CSU SEEDS Faculty Advisor
I graduated from Arizona State University in 2004 with a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and a specialization in plant ecology. I'm currently an assistant professor of biology in the Department of Natural Sciences at Clayton State University. My research focuses on riparian plant ecology (plant ecology of river ecosystems), restoration of degraded riparian ecosystems, and metacommunity theory. Currently, I'm investigating metacommunity dynamics in southwestern riparian ecosystems and am planning to continue my work in southeastern riparian ecosystems as well. I'm a staunch supporter of the SEEDS mission and believe through the SEEDS program we will introduce ecology to those who might not otherwise be exposed to ecology.

Charlee Glenn
CSU SEEDS Chapter Representative and President
I am a Biology major with a concentration in pre-veterinary studies. I began my college career at Clark Atlanta University, but soon transferred to Clayton State where I found a home. I was introduced to SEEDS approximately one year ago and knew immediately that this was exactly the type of program I wanted to be involved with. One year later, I am president of the CSU Chapter and learning much about ecology and the opportunities that are available. I’m hoping to participate in Duke’s study abroad program in Costa Rica through the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) this spring and then go on to graduate school for evolutionary ecology.

Serge Farinas
CSU SEEDS Chapter Vice President
I am a Biology major, planning to pursue a PhD in plant or forest ecology. My emphasis will be in restoration/conservation of degraded ecosystems. I am also going to be conducting an assessment of the Jesters Creek restoration project in Morrow, Georgia.